Top tips for looking after your digestive health this Christmas

It’s the same every year – once the festive season arrives, we abandon all our good habits and dive headlong into a month of OTT indulgence. From mince pies and marzipan to stuffing and stollen, we’re faced with an abundance of food that’s just a bit too hard to resist – meaning that second helpings become an all too common occurrence.

Unfortunately, our bodies aren’t prepared for this sudden binge. Unable to cope with so many rich foods, our digestive systems often start to play up – leaving us feeling uncomfortable at the least opportune moment.

Worried about experiencing digestive problems this Christmas? No one’s saying you have to stick to salad – but nutritionist Amanda Hamilton and the team at Imodium do have some have some helpful advice. Remember these tips and you won’t be left regretting any dietary decisions this festive season...
Canapé catastrophes

Christmas is supposed to be a season of bright colours – so why is most party food boring old beige? Canapés, sausage rolls, sandwiches, cake... it’s all made of beige coloured wheat which is high in gluten and low in nutrients. For some people, repeatedly eating wheat-based products can lead to bloating and an irritated bowel. Try to add some colour to the menu with crudités and dips, fresh fruit and juices to aid your body’s effective digestion.
Under pressure

Love them or hate them, having your in-laws over and your other half’s mother watching your every move in the kitchen would make anyone anxious! Apprehension or stress can imbalance your digestive system, leaving you feeling below par. Try to take measures to ease your stress, incorporating relaxation therapies such as yoga, meditation or music into your festive routine – or just step outside with a calming cup of peppermint tea for a moment to get away from it all.

Source: http://www.wahanda.com/

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Does drinking water during or after a meal disturb digestion?

There's no concern that water will dilute the digestive juices or interfere with digestion. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal can actually improve digestion. Water and other liquids help break down the food in your stomach and keep your digestive system on track. Looking for other ways to promote good digestion? Focus on a healthy lifestyle. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Maintain a healthy weight. Include physical activity in your daily routine.

Source: from Michael F. Picco, M.D. www.mayoclinic.org

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Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid after Gallbladder Removal

After a cholecystecotmy, it is important to eat foods that will help support the liver, and minimize the workload of digestion. Healthy, unprocessed vegetable oils, particularly those rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, such as flax seed oil and hemp seed oil, should be consumed on a regular basis.

Image source: Wikipedia.org

Both of these nutritious oils are available in supplement form, or they can be used to make salad dressings; they should not be used as cooking oils. These oils, as well as other vegetable oils such as olive oil, help the body naturally eliminate unhealthy LDL cholesterol build-up. Being of a slippery nature, and liquid at room temperature (as opposed to saturated fats, which are solid at room temperature), unsaturated fatty acids slide through the body's pathways with ease, taking toxins and harmful build-up with them.

Lemon juice and vinegar are also helpful foods to eat after gallbladder removal. The acid helps to break down the fatty acids in digestive bile. Try mixing fresh lemon juice with two tablespoons olive oil in a glass of water. Drink this solution in the morning and in the evening.

A diet after gall bladder surgery should include fruits and vegetables, with raw, fresh, organic foods being the most beneficial. Eat plenty of avocados, beets, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, grapes, apples, berries, and artichokes. They will provide fiber, which the body needs to aid in digestion and help cleanse, as well as the nutrients that the body needs to restore itself after gallbladder removal surgery. Other beneficial foods to eat after a cholecystectomy are yogurt, fish, and cottage cheese. As time passes after the surgery, start introducing whole grains, eggs, and some poultry and low-fat milk.


There are a number of foods to avoid after gallbladder removal, the most important being red meat, which is high in difficult to digest animal protein and animal fat. Also minimize pork, poultry, dairy, chocolate, and refined carbohydrates. Choose foods without hydrogenated or trans fats - this means no margarine, and few processed foods. Fried foods, spicy foods, and soft drinks should be taken out of the diet after gallbladder surgery altogether.

A cholecystectomy may be effective in masking the symptoms of a bile imbalance, but the only way to return to a true state of well-being, and to prevent the formation of more stones is to choose a healthy diet.

See more about gallbladder disease:

• Gallbladder pictures
• Gallbladder surgery VIDEO
• Gallbladder cancer treatment
• Gallbladder diet

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