Acid Reflux During the Holidays
Holidays can be a miserable time for someone suffering from acid reflux or GERDS. Holiday eating is usually very different from our day to day eating routine. We eat at different times, eat different foods, and eat MORE!
Whether you are doing the cooking or whether you are visiting family and friends, the change in diet during the holidays can wreak havoc with your acid reflux. The holidays can be stressful enough without worrying about extra heartburn or reflux spoiling your good cheer.
I received some great tips from my friends at My Fit Foods in Houston, Texas to help with the problem of gaining weight during the holidays. They are also good tips for acid reflux sufferers as well.
- Do not avoid eating fat. Eating moderate amounts of fat a meal can help you feel full sooner and keep you full longer, just don’t overdue it.
- Don’t skip meals. Eat small snacks if you are saving up calories. Skipping meals leads to hunger, low energy levels and improper food choices..
- Don’t pass up favorite foods or deprive yourself completely. Moderate consumption is the key.
- Don’t tempt yourself by keeping trigger foods or comfort foods around the house. If you have them, it increases the likelihood that you will overeat.
- Plan meals by keeping in the mind the demands you’ll have on your schedule that day.
- Don’t go to a party starving. Before you leave home, eat something light or drink a meal replacement shake. Also, drink a great deal of water the day of the party.
- When you attend holiday festivities, station yourself away from the buffet table. Make a clear-cut decision to distance yourself from all the goodies.
- Alcoholic beverages pack on the calories [and can contribute to acid reflux] so if you’re drinking alcohol, stick to light beer or a champagne spritzer. Watch out for the eggnog, it’s high in calories and fat.
- If you do find yourself feeling depressed, soothe your spirit with a massage, manicure, pedicure or facial. Men can enjoy this too.
- When you shop, eat before you leave home so you won’t resort to cookie breaks
- To satisfy your sweet tooth, set limits. For example, you might allow yourself two decadent desserts per week.
Just because it is the holidays doesn’t mean you should give yourself the license to eat everything that passes by. Factor in the little extras into your daily intake. - Help out by saving fat and calories when it’s feasting time. Make or buy wild rice stuffing, baked sweet potatoes, whole-grain rolls and angel-food cake with fruit.
- Enjoy the season, not just the food!