Ernährung · Ernährungskunde · Gesund Leben · Gesundheit ·Dec 23, 2021

4 tips for healthy holidays - how you can enjoy the holidays without a guilty conscience

4 Tipps für gesunde Feiertage - wie du ohne schlechtes Gewissen die Festtage geniessen kannst

Christmas or other holidays are often characterized by sumptuous food, alcohol and spending time with friends and family. We are all too happy to ignore the unpleasant facts of post-meal heartburn, excess calories and alcohol. There are some great tips you can use to make the holidays healthier.

The rumor about the digestive schnapps

Surely everyone knows the old rumor about the high-proof after the meal. Its main purpose is to boost digestion. Unfortunately, it's just a rumor here, because instead of a full stomach, the body always tries to break down pollutants first, including alcohol. The food lingers in the stomach longer, which leads to heartburn and bloating.

In addition to this effect, alcohol also has a lot of calories, a total of 7Kcal brings 1 gram of alcohol with it and is therefore just below that of fat, which is 9Kcal per gram.

Tip 1: It's better to have a little less alcohol, then your digestion will work better and some calories will be saved.

The rumor about the digestive sleep

A digestive nap is often held after a sumptuous meal. However, this often has exactly the opposite effect, our body slips into a resting phase and with it our digestion. Compared to taking a nap, exercise in the fresh air gets your circulation going, promotes blood flow in your intestines and gets your gastrointestinal tract moving. In addition, the meal is digested more easily.

Tip 2: digestive walk instead of Digestive sleep

Eating late affects your sleep

Often on the holidays people eat late or eat for several hours (which is not a bad thing, because eating slowly is much better for the body). Note that your body has its own rhythm. Above all, eating a lot just before going to bed can have a negative impact on your sleep rhythm. As a rule of thumb, do not eat anything for at least 2 hours before going to bed so that the body has enough time to digest. The result is restless sleep and the following day with exhaustion and tiredness.

Tip 3: Stop eating at least 2 hours before going to bed

Are there any healthy alternatives?

Especially on the holidays you want to really spoil yourself. However, it is often forgotten that there are healthy alternatives to hearty sauces, biscuits and pastries.

Peppers, carrots, celery, broccoli and many other crunchy vegetables are suitable as a starter in combination with an airy quark dip or hummus. The fiber and nutrients help support digestion and promote the health of the microbiome in our gut. Nuts are also a great snack alternative. In addition, you promote an initial feeling of satiety, vegetables are low in calories and still very tasty. As a little extra tip, we always recommend buying organic vegetables.

Tip 4: Vegetables with delicious dips and nuts as healthy snacks and appetizers

Our conclusion for healthy holidays

Of course you should enjoy the holidays, but with a few small adjustments you can make them much healthier. However, quality time with loved ones should come first - what you least need is stress over food.

We hope we could encourage you with this article and some simple tips to make the holidays healthier the way you want them to be.