Thanksgiving Indulgence Rescue

We know what we are in for on Thursday – Food, food and more food! Growing up in a traditional Italian family, our holiday meals lasted all day long. Meals included foods and alcoholic beverages not usually found in the traditional American fare. Here are some of those, and other ideas, to help your digestion and avoid agita.

1. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) – Twenty minutes before the big meal chew 1-2 tablets. If the meal goes on all day, chew 1-2 more in between courses. This coats the stomach and helps prevent acid reflux. This distinction, deglycyrrhizinated, is extremely important. In this form, licorice is safe for those with high blood pressure. It soothes and heals the stomach lining.
   

2. Digestive Enzymes – Take digestive enzymes at the start of each course. Digestive enzymes support your body’s natural digestive process. Use a well-rounded product that includes specific enzymes for the various aspects of what you are eating: lipases to break down fat, amylases to break down starches, proteases to break down proteins, etc. These will work better than a more general enzyme such as bromelain (pineapple) or papaya.

3. Apertifs and Digestifs – Traditional liquors made from herbs infused in alcohol have been used in Europe for centuries. Apertifs, taken before the meal, help stimulate the digestion and whet the appetite. Classic examples are Campari and Pernod. Digestifs come after the meal and contain herbs know to aid digestion. Some more well-known digestifs include Sambuca (sweet and licorice tasting) and Cynar (bitter, artichoke based). When used properly, these delicious alcoholic beverages complement the meal. If you are staying off the booze, seek out bitters made without alcohol and add to soda water for a delicious and refreshing digestive aid before or after dinner.

4. Stay Relaxed – For some, a big meal with family can mean more stress than fun. Do your best to set your differences aside for the day, instead see if you can find some common ground. Eat in a relaxed manner.

5. Fennel – At my Italian immigrant family holiday dinners, this was a staple! Slice fresh fennel and keep chilled. Perfect to eat at the end of the meal to aid digestion, or in between courses to cleanse the palate.

6. Digestive Teas – Several tea companies now have blends specifically for digestion. Try: Eaters Digest by Traditional Medicinals, Stomach Ease by Yogi Tea, or Gas and Bloating by Gaia Herbs at the end of your meal, or make in advance, chill and drink with every course.

7. Walk – A slow, walk around the neighborhood helps make room for dessert!

8. Siesta – There is nothing like a 15 minute cat nap to allow all your energy to focus on the stomach. It can also be used as an attitude adjustment. Don’t be embarrassed to take a ‘time out’ if needed.

9. Enjoy! – Most of all, whatever you do and whomever you are with, try to laugh and let go of day-to-day worries and of course remember all that there is to be grateful for, even in the darkest of times – this also aids digestion!