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Sharing 11 gut-friendly Thanksgiving tips to help you through the season.

The holiday season is usually filled with all sorts of goodness.

From the first bite of Halloween candy all the way to that last glass of champagne to ring in the New Year. 

But sometimes, for those in our Gutsy circle, the holiday season feels difficult. 

You want to eat everything, but not bloat.

You’re hoping to just “be normal” without getting asked a hundred questions around the dinner table. 

And gosh danggit, you want to wear that fancy dress on New Year’s Eve without feeling the need to “cover up” misery.

I know. And I see you.

So today I’m giving you 11 Gut-Friendly Thanksgiving Tips so you can enjoy as much as possible.

11 Gut Health Holiday Season Survival Tips

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1] Stop trying to “earn” food

Seriously.

You know what most people try to do during the holiday?

Go to the gym and workout extra hard so that they can eat food.

First of all, if your gut is not well, working out harder, faster, or longer is not your friend. In fact, I don’t believe that working out and gut healing should coexist.

Second, you need food every single day to not only survive, but also heal.

There is no need to “earn” it.

2] Cook

Eat home-cooked meals as often as possible since you’re likely to attend a lot of holiday parties for many other meals.

3] Limit alcohol

Watch your alcohol intake at holiday parties.

Alcoholic beverages and gut-healing (and overall gut health) really don’t work together.

I know, I desperately tried!

Want the full mechanism on why? I broke it down in Alcohol and Your Gut.

4] Keep hydrated

Drink a lot of water to keep hydrated.

(Hate water? Me, too. Try THIS.) 

5] Sleep

Don’t get so overbooked that the nightly zzz’s suffer.

After just one night of poor sleep, you’ll feel it.

Sure, you can do it from time-to-time, but don’t make a habit out of it.

Besides, the more tired you are, the hungrier you’re likely to feel.

6] Watch what you eat

Yes, of course you might need to be cognizant about what you’re eating.

If you’re allergic to nuts, have Celiac, or anything else that’s known to make you ill, then you must be aware. 

7] But STOP obsessing

If you aren’t absolutely sure and simply trying to control every last ounce of food consumed, just stop.

I know, easier said than done, but you must try.

Obsessing will get you nowhere.

If you’ve already overdone it, here’s exactly what to do next.

8] Practice meal spacing

Don’t graze all day just because the food’s out. Leaving 3 to 4 hours between meals gives your digestive system a chance to actually finish the last one before the next one shows up. This matters more on Thanksgiving than almost any other day of the year.

9] Move after the meal

Movement isn’t punishment for eating, and it isn’t something you have to do to earn the meal. A short walk after dinner, even 10 minutes, helps stimulate digestion and lowers the blood sugar spike from a heavy plate. Skip the intense workout. Gentle is the point.

10] De-stress

Every single day find some way to de-stress.

Here’s the fuller breakdown on why the holidays hit your gut this way, and what actually helps.

11] Pack your backup kit

Bring more than one tool. Break Down for the meal itself, digestive enzymes and betaine HCl to help you process a heavier plate than usual. Good Guys for your daily probiotic baseline. Tummy Soothe if things go sideways anyway. If you’re traveling for the holiday, add Move Now to the bag too.

GET THE FULL LINEUP HERE. Use code ‘AGUTSYGIRL’ at checkout to save 15% off your entire first order.

Not Rocket Science; It’s Just the Holiday Season!

These holiday gut survival tips are not rocket science.

They are merely meant to be reminders.

The bottom line is that the healthier we stay, the happier we are all season long.

If you liked this article on my 11 Gut Health Holiday Season Survival Tips, you might also enjoy:

1. 8 Ways to Survive the Holidays with IBS or IBD
2. Gut Health During the Holidays [Holistic Approach]

Xox,
SKH