By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
Are the holidays hard to digest? Joyful and busy. Exciting and hopeful. Maybe mentally and physically exhausting? Definitely a challenge on the gut. The 12 days of Christmas are sometimes more than a person can take, but they don’t have to be! First and foremost, we must remember what this season is really about. Kindness, giving, faith, sharing, caring (for others AND ourselves) and lots and lots of eating and indulging. How can we get ahead of January gut busting now and have a happy and healthy season? Instead of waiting until 2020 to put those good habits to work, why not try for feeling your best through all the good meals and high times?
What kind of activity supports you most when you are under stress? Think about it. What wouldn’t you give up during a normal week? Your daily walk or run? Your morning meditation? Your healthy salad for lunch? Your evening yoga class? That 15 minutes with your journal? Your daily vitamin supplement? Whatever it may be that you wouldn’t go without on any other day – keep it in focus now. Those healthy self-care habits are more important than ever when the stress hits a fever pitch. AND it’s going to make January 1 feel a lot lighter if you do!
We have all the fixins’ for your holiday meal at the Co-op, of course, but we also have a great selection of wellness items to support your Happy Holidays too.
For the literal digestion of your holiday indulgences take a look at our wide selection of digestive enzymes from Enzymedica. They will cover your gluten sensitivities, dairy tummy aches and acid and heartburn woes with one of the great enzyme blends they are known for. (Picture here of the items?)
Other popular tried and true (by our customers) items to check out for taking care of your gut are as follows:
Nature’s Way DGL Licorice Chewables
Licorice coats the digestive tract soothing and protecting the stomach lining and is even said to help heal ulcers and prevent their reoccurrence. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (aka DGL) is licorice that has been processed to remove a substantial amount of naturally occurring glycyrrhizin making it a safer option than plain licorice supplements, thereby, reducing interactions with medical conditions and medicines.
Dr. Ohira’s Original Probiotics
Shelf stable and a staple in my supplement cupboard after my bout with the Cyclospora parasite a few years ago. My go-to for nausea, sour stomach, constipation or the opposite. Get your probiotics however you can though. Yogurt, fermented foods and kombucha are great options as well.
These come in the Original formula (great for cocktails in addition to digestion) and Chamomile for nervous tummies. Great for calming the mind and belly in case Uncle Fred wants to talk politics. Bitters work well when taken regularly before meals but can also be of assistance taken after the fact. Why wait for the gas or bloat? Get ahead of the game and reap the extra support such as curbing sugar cravings!
Kal and/or Uncle Harry’s Activated Charcoal
Capsules or powder, you pick. In the case of gas or an under-temped turkey situation, activated charcoal absorbs toxins and chemicals in the gut. Since it is not absorbed by your body it can remove toxins through your feces. Proper hydration is an important consideration particularly with detoxification supplements.
Digesting the holidays can be a challenge. Sticking to some of your healthy routines through it all and stocking the medicine cabinet with some helpful supplements like probiotics and enzymes can help you not just survive the season but thrive during it!
Until next year, Be Well!
