12 TIPS TO REDUCE EXCESS FOOD DURING THE HOLIDAYS

The end of year holidays are approaching, and with them, the marathon of meals, excesses (alcohol, fat, sugar), and bad food associations... Quickly, the body and the head begin to function “ in slow motion ” …

Digestion is a huge energy expenditure for the body which must manage this overeating, which explains the fatigue which often accompanies end-of-year festivities.

Here are 10 tips to avoid excesses while still having fun during festive meals .

1. EAT SLOWLY, TAKING THE TIME TO CHEW

This simple gesture already prepares your digestion and prevents you from overeating during the holidays. The digestive process begins in the mouth, when enzymes from saliva mix with food. Missing this step ensures poor digestion. It takes about 20 minutes for the body to send the message of satiety to the brain, so take your time to taste! If you eat quickly, not only will digestion be disrupted, but you will eat way more than you need.

2. MAKE A FEW DAYS VERY LIGHT WITH THE FESTIVITIES

We offer our body a real digestive break before the holidays by limiting quantities, while focusing on good fresh foods with an abundance of fruits and vegetables, and fresh pollen of course! - and we forget industrial products, dairy products, and other refined sugars, as well as meat and alcohol. This digestive break will do you the greatest good, and will allow your body to better understand the holidays.

3. FIND “THE BALANCE”

Treat yourself when you are with family or friends, but avoid excesses outside of it! It's normal that we want to enjoy the festivities and eat starters, main courses, desserts, etc. but outside of holiday meals. or when you feel that you have “ the choice ” to compose your meals (for example breakfast ) eat light and balanced . Festive meals will provide you with enough calories for a good time, so some fruit and fresh pollen or even a simple good squeezed juice for breakfast will be a pure blessing for your body!

4. THINK ABOUT “FASTING” AT NIGHT

The body needs about 12 hours for the cleansing process to take place (most of this happens at night and morning ) , so try to leave at least 12 hours between dinner and breakfast. This simple little gesture will greatly reduce the excess work that the body has to do during the holidays . This means that if you finish eating around midnight, there is no point in having breakfast at 7 a.m.... Instead, opt for an herbal tea that will help the body in its cleansing work, such as rosemary, savory or Mint.

5. START YOUR MEALS WITH RAW

Like a teaspoon of fresh pollen !

The body is biologically "programmed" for raw food, which provides our cells with "the right information" that they are capable of interpreting, while cooked food (especially overcooked food) ! ) is less “recognizable” and is the source of an inflammatory reaction called “ leukocytosis ” , which puts the body on alert when “ non-self ” enters our body. By starting each meal with raw food, we reduce this inflammatory phenomenon, and therefore the overall state of stress in our body. A simple tip to reduce inflammation and promote better digestion!

6. DO NOT TAKE FRUIT AT THE END OF A MEAL

We often think we are doing the right thing by ending our meal with fruit, a “light” note after a rich and heavy meal. However, associations are very important to consider when looking after your digestion, your energy level and your general well-being. And the number one rule to follow is that fruits do not mix with other foods. Indeed, fruits have a very rapid digestion time compared to proteins, starches, etc. So, if we eat them at the end of a meal, they remain blocked by other foods and have time to ferment in the intestine, causing digestive disorders and other inconveniences... It is better to eat them at least 30 minutes before the meal or 2 -3 hours after a meal.

7. DRINK WATER 15 MINUTES BEFORE MEAL

The digestive tract will be hydrated, digestion facilitated and metabolism stimulated! In addition, it is very likely that you will eat less, and/or less sweet - often a strong craving for sweet can come from dehydration as well as overeating . A large glass of pure water before a meal helps regulate this urge. Hydrated cells are a key to internal balance , and this small gesture will help you limit the damage during the holidays.

8. TARGET THE GOOD ANTI-FAT FOODS

As many meals are "heavy" to digest, let's try to integrate as many digestive and anti-fat allies as possible! Some key foods to target and include as desired every day: pineapple , aloe vera, cinnamon (in herbal tea or powder), ginger, turmeric, mint, lemon, green tea , cider vinegar ... For example, cider vinegar is often consumed on an empty stomach in the morning (1-2 tablespoons in a large glass of lukewarm water), or before meals as an appetite suppressant and fat burner.

9. USE COCONUT OIL INSTEAD OF BUTTER

Butter adds flavor to preparations but consuming it too regularly is not recommended for health: firstly it contains too much saturated fat and when heated at high temperature it becomes completely indigestible and a source of inflammation. Coconut oil, on the other hand, has a very high resistance to heat and does not denature when cooked. In addition, this oil has multiple health benefits , and is in particular an ally for metabolism by helping to burn stored fat . Not to mention its antiviral, anti-bacterial and immune system booster properties (ideal for this season!)

10. SHARE THE DESSERT

Honestly, after the aperitif, the starter, the main course and the cheeses your body is no longer hungry AT ALL. The sweetness at the end is pure indulgence. So if you take some, stick to a small piece just to join in the festivities and to have your sweet note which is pleasant, but a piece of whole log is perhaps not necessary... Sugar in end of meal is also a source of indigestion, therefore double bloating effect guaranteed ...

11. PEPPERMINT AT THE END OF A MEAL

After a Christmas – or New Year’s – meal , you can relieve digestion not with a digestive, but with a peppermint grog ! Delicious, refreshing and effective: 2 drops of peppermint essential oil with a little organic honey in a mini glass of hot water (drinkable temperature, not hot to preserve the honey's active ingredients). Quick-fix version: peppermint + honey or olive oil directly without preparing the hot toddy!

12. MOVE!

Now is a RIGHT time to get moving. To limit damage during the holidays, movement is essential. Of course it is the essential gesture for a healthy lifestyle all year round, but it makes a huge difference when you force on the quantities during meals. The body will be better oxygenated, the blood and lymph will be stimulated and cleansing can thus work better, while providing better digestion. It doesn't matter if it's jogging, swimming, yoga, or a brisk walk every day, set up a little daily routine now , and don't wait until 2022 to boost your well- being ! And this way you will seriously limit the damage caused by excesses during the holidays.

No excuses, 10 minutes is better than nothing, so don't skip a session just because you wo n't have time to do the full 30 minutes...

Every gesture counts! With a few well-being tips every day, you will enjoy these moments of celebration and conviviality even more.

I wish you a very happy holiday season, take good care of yourself and enjoy those you love.

Warmly,

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