We all want to enjoy the food and fun that come along with holiday parties. But in case you didn’t know, ’tis also the season for indigestion, heartburn, and other holiday hiccups. For the roughly 70 million Americans who suffer from gastrointestinal issues including acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, or gluten intolerance, the holidays can become a real pain in the side.
If you are prone to these or other food-triggered conditions like gout, you will want to take precautions so that you can ‘party on’ in comfort and joy.
First off, limit fatty foods, especially if you suffer from GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is the uncomfortable condition where stomach acid repeatedly flows into the esophagus causing burning and indigestion. We’ve all had it, and safe to say, don’t want it again. High fat foods take longer to digest. Oh, and holiday favorites peppermint and chocolate can also be triggers.
Another word to the wise, is to choose a smaller plate when visiting the food table. This goes a long way in limiting portions while still giving you the opportunity to enjoy a taste of all the goodies. Plus, the salad-sized plate tricks your brain into thinking you’re eating large.
This next one is a biggie. Hold off from eating late at night or at close to bed time. There are several good reasons for this. Acid production peaks within three hours of eating. And that’s not all, laying down after a big meal makes it harder to digest and leaves you more prone to have the food you ate reverse into your esophagus causing you major heartburn.
Gout is also an unwelcome guest invading many holiday gatherings. It’s an excruciating form of inflammatory arthritis often found in men over the age of 40, and it’s becoming more common in women after menopause, too. Gout usually attacks one joint at a time — frequently the big toe. It is sudden, severe and painful.
Gout used to be known as the ‘disease of kings’ because it is associated with rich foods. Most notably red meats, along with organ meats and game meats. Seafood is another big culprit for susceptible people. These can lead to high levels of uric acid in the blood, which causes the cascade of inflammation. And another buzz kill that can bring on an attack of gout is alcohol and binge drinking.
Eating lighter and slower can help lessen the impact. Grazing and eating casually lets your brain catch up with your stomach, so you get a better sense of when you’re full. Because we all know our eyes can be bigger than our bellies when faced with a huge holiday spread!
This said, by tweaking food choices and eating habits, it is possible to avoid gout and Holiday Heartburn.
Amy Oshier
updated
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