It’s the holiday season, which means a lot of wonderful traditions and celebrations, but also leads to a fair share of temptation. From extravagant treats to heavy meals, excessive eating goes hand in hand with family festivities.
Obviously, a few extra holiday indulgences won’t sabotage anyone’s health. However, it’s never a bad idea to arm yourself with solid strategies for maintaining wellness during busy seasons. And when you think about the health of your gut – research shows that even a few days of poor eating habits can wreak havoc on the delicate balance in your gut. There is good reason to maintain good habits the best that you can to prevent consequences later. Read our top tips below for prioritizing your gut’s health throughout these months of merriment!
FOCUS ON MEAL PREP.
Above all other game-plans, focusing primarily on meal prep will serve you well. Ask anyone that’s successfully sustained a lifestyle change, and we bet they’ll cite meal planning as one of their secrets. Sure, it’s no magic bullet, but having an established plan takes the stress out of in-the-moment decision making.
INCREASE YOUR PROBIOTICS.
Whenever you’re approaching a long stint of rich eating, increasing your probiotic intake is a good place to start. Add fermented foods, such as kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, and kefir to your meals. These probiotics filled foods are excellent natural sources of healthy, gut-health enhancing bacteria.
EAT YOUR VEGGIES.
Another way you can feed your gut well is to nourish it with foods rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Look for vegetables that are rich in color including green leafy vegetables, broccoli, brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes and colorful peppers. In addition, include less colorful vegetables also packed with nutrients including onions, garlic, shallots, cauliflower and cabbage.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
We hope this goes without saying, but make sure to save time for yourself during the holiday hustle. Try to keep some semblance of your normal routine in place. Get enough sleep each night, move your body every day, eat plenty of nutrient-dense food. Just like any other time of the year, the more you take care of yourself the better you will feel!
BRING A DISH TO SHARE.
Our number one tip for ensuring that healthy food is present at any gathering? Be the one to bring it yourself! While it may feel like you’re spoiling the fun, we promise your friends and family will thank you for it. Most people get burnt out after eating junk food for too long – take it upon yourself to be their fruit and veggie savior!
