How to prepare your body for a large meal & 3 Grateful recipes
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. It is that time of year where the festivities are in full force. We all crave tradition, connection, celebration, our favorite pies and side dishes. I want you to enjoy it all with gratitude and have a blast.
Here is how you physically and mentally prepare for a larger meal (or any meal):
- Let the digestive tract do its job: By taking deep breaths and eating slowly, this will activate the hormones that assist with the digestive process. This initiates digestive juices, calms the small intestine to receive nutrients. When you are relaxed this supports the cephalic phase of digestion, so more gastric acid, pancreatic enzymes, and bile are released in your body to release and absorb the vitamins and minerals in the food.
- Only think happy thoughts: Please do not focus on food rules and strategies. However, stay present in your body and enjoy all of your senses; the aromas, textures, tastes and colors. Take deep breaths and prepare your body for what to expect. Visualize your tummy relaxing and even wait until you feel a bit of tummy growl before you consume the delightfulness. This is one day of the year, that I tell people I am a flight attendant so I don’t stress anyone out with their choices, just enjoy each other and keep connected to your body
- Eat bitter foods: Don’t skip on the relish tray, have some radishes, broccoli or cauliflower prior to the meal to stimulate the gastric juices. Also, have a big salad first with arugula and other greens, made with an apple cider vinegar dressing.
- Have Digestive Enzymes handy: Try taking enzymes prior the meal, but if you forget anytime during the meal or day is supportive. Make sure they include; bromelain, papain, and enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The brands I prefer are: Digest Gold by Enzymedica, and Spectrazyme by Metagenics.
- Drink Tea prior or post meal: The top teas for digestion are peppermint, dandelion and ginger.
Please revisit our blog with 3 grateful holiday recipes: Cranberries with ginger, Sweet potatoes & toasted walnuts & Quinoa Stuffing.
If you are still bloated 3 days after this meal, give us a call, we need to get your digestive tract supported before the next go around.
In gratitude,
Heather Fleming, C.C.N.
