No food guilt during the holidays!
The holiday season is coming, and I can feel people's guilt rising over what they are going to eat, the fear of giving in to Aunt Gisèle's dessert or to the dishes Grandma lovingly prepared.
Yet this season of reunions with family or friends should be nothing but pure pleasure (even if Covid limits us to gatherings in very small groups and in ways other than planned). These happy moments will, among other things, pile up in a little box called “memories”, from which we will draw energy during the greyer moments of the year and of our lives.
In consultation, I often meet people imprisoned within the walls of information and prohibition. They are so strict and disciplined that they no longer recognize the signs of hunger and fullness. They are cut off from their sense of smell and of taste. Let us remember that taste was given to us to recognize what the body needs in terms of nutrients. Over time, this control leads to a loss of eating reflexes, to frustration, and since such restriction cannot be maintained for long, it leads to a loss of self-esteem.
Here are a few suggestions for enjoying holiday reunions without guilt.
Happy holidays!
First of all, be kind to yourself, and here are a few tips for doing so.
- Protect your stomach: before having a pre-dinner drink, line your stomach by eating a small snack. You will better withstand the effects of alcohol.
- Use the 80/20 principle: 80% of the time, follow your good habits, and 20% of the time allow yourself to eat your favourite dishes and drink alcohol in moderation.
- Don't be too rigid: the brain doesn't like prohibitions.
- Eat until satisfied and sense when to stop: don't wait until you are too hungry before eating. That way, you will be more moderate.
Next, here are the “friendly” supplements for enjoying the present moment and recovering after several hearty meals.
Managing fat and digestion
To help digestion, eat enzymes
Essence du jardin: take 1 to 2 capsules with food.
Soak up the fat from the meal with fibre
Super Fibres: take 1 capsule with 8 oz of water 30 minutes before the meal.
Eliminate bloating after the meal
AG-C: helps digest quickly. Take 1 capsule with 8 oz of water within 30 minutes after the meal.
Managing sugar
Gobe-Glucide: before consuming sugar and alcohol, take 1 to 2 capsules (do not follow the dosage on the bottle). OR Stixated: Take 1 sachet in water before eating or drinking alcohol.
Managing discomfort
Help the liver, eliminate stomach and intestinal cramps
Oregon Grape: In hot water, add 1/3 tsp after or between meals.
Relieve fever and diarrhea
Catnip and Fennel: Take ½ tsp in hot water.
Get your sleep back
Pantothenic Acid (B5): take 1 to 2 capsules at a time at supper or at bedtime.
Regain calm
Stress Formula: Take 1 capsule in the morning with food.
Counter nausea
Ginger: take 1 to 2 capsules as is or as a herbal tea.
Eliminate water
Parsley: 2 capsules with food, 2 times a day.
Reduce acidity and soothe the intestine
Aloe Vera Juice: take 1 tbsp in 8 oz of hot water.
And as we all know, moderation always tastes better :)