The holiday season is officially upon us, complete with holiday food and cheer. While this time is well renowned for being “the most wonderful time of the year”, your digestive system might disagree. Rich and heavy foods can linger in your system for several days after holiday eating, leaving you sluggish. In addition to an uneasy stomach, the overindulging may cause an inflammatory response.
With so many parties and festivities clogging up the calendar, you may find your digestive system constantly clogged, as well. Here are some ingestibles to enjoy (or avoid) in order to keep things moving for the holidays and your digestive health…
These foods, packed with nutrients and fiber, will keep you feeling full. They will also give you long-lasting energy and help food move through your digestive tract in an effective manner.
In addition to their stimulating properties, cinnamon and nutmeg aid in maintaining blood sugar levels to avoid those crazy post-holiday, late-night cravings. Ginger can also soothe an upset stomach if you’ve overdone it at dinner.
* Note: if you have heartburn due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), avoid peppermint products. Peppermint can relax the muscle that closes off the stomach from the esophagus, allowing acid to flow back up and cause GERD-related heartburn.
Sometimes, despite best efforts, your digestive tract can still take a beating during the holiday season. At Digestive Healthcare Center, our gastroenterologists are specialists in gastrointestinal distress due to diet or illness. We utilize the latest techniques and technology to effectively treat a wide array of acute and chronic gastroenterological conditions.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, contact Digestive Healthcare Center today.
At Digestive Healthcare Center, we want each patient at our three offices in New Jersey to feel confident about their digestive health. We encourage you to contact us today to make an appointment with one of our expert gastroenterologists – don’t wait to start putting your digestive health first!
Learn more about all things digestive health and wellness by checking out our recent gastroenterology blogs.
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