The holiday season is upon us, and with it all the baked goods, the large feasts, the dinner parties, the family dinners, and all the delicious making it's annual debut, is here! I think we can all agree that one of the biggest struggles with the end of the year eating is sticking to the healthy side of choices. We have comprised an idea list to help keep the thought of gut health in your mind while you enjoy yourself this holiday season!
7 Tips for A Healthy Holiday
1. Never hurts to remind others to stay hydrated. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology released a study indicating that drinking water can help increase your metabolic rate and in turn can help keep you energized and calories burning. Starting off by drinking a class of cold water first thing after you wake up can get the metabolism going and your mind set for healthy choices in gear for the rest of the day.
2. This should also go without saying but steer clear of added sugars and processed ingredients. We also know this can be hard during this time of year but opt for smarter choices like whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, even alternatives such as cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. There are countless ways to incorporate substitutions into your meals this season. You can even check out our Pinterest board "Healthy Holiday Substitutions" for ideas and examples! While you're there, give us a follow to stay connected!
3. As it gets colder and fall moves into the usual snowy, wet winter, staying active is harder to do and in all honesty can make you feel unmotivated. However, just because we are all cooped up inside more doesn't mean we can't stay moving. Yoga is a great example and beneficial for just about everyone! Even taking in a longer nature walk in the brisk fall air, admiring the color changing leaves can help to get your blood pumping. It is however, always best to check with your physician before starting any new type of exercise regime.
4. Our next tip is probably looked over by most. Stabilize your blood sugars! Everyone's got them, and everyone's level goes up and down. Before you head to that big dinner party have a snack, something with protein. This will help you to not overeat and fend off that bloated feeling. It can also be mood boosting. In return, this keeps you from overeating and making better choices when filling your plate
5. The bar cart is usually well stocked and ever flowing in the holiday season but that doesn't mean we have to over indulge. Alcohol can wreck havoc on our health for so many reasons, and one of the ways to combat that is to change it up! Instead of opting for that second or even third sugary cocktail reach for a soda water with bitters and mashed berries. It's sure fancy looking without the booze, without the hangover, or without worrying about a designated driver.
6. Probiotics! That's right, probiotics help keep the friendly bacteria balanced within our gut, and our gut health is vital to our overall health. Although people often think of bacteria as "germs" they assist our bodies in proper function. For example we have naturally occurring bacteria in our gut that help digest food, fend off the nasty bacteria we don't want and produce vitamins. Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts offer health benefits to the host. The occur in the fermented foods we eat naturally such as dairy like milk and yogurt, even sauerkraut and kimchee. The two primary types of bacteria are 'Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium' and are measured in CFUs (Colony Forming Units) which are the number of bacteria in a single dose and typically are in the billions. With any supplement, it is best to talk to your doctor before you start taking anything new.
7. Last but certainly not least...BE IN THE MOMENT! Take your time and enjoy yourself this season. With the hustle and bustle of trying to fit in every little tradition and activity we rush ourselves and can cause added stress that in all honesty doesn't need to be there. Adding stress to our most of the time already overwhelmed mental state affects your physical state. A healthy outside starts with a healthy inside. Slow down, make the smart food and drink choices, be present and enjoy yourself.
Product Highlight
Tip number 6 of our healthy gut list was taking a Probiotic and look what we have here! Essential Probiotics!
The Food Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) defined a probiotic as "live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host."
The essentials probiotics in our formulation aid in the nutritional support of the body's continued gut health.
You will find multiple active strains in our proprietary blend such as
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, L. casei ssp. casei, L. helveticus, L. salivarius, L. plantarum, B. infantis, B. longum, L. brevis, L. gasseri, L. reuteri, L. rhamnosus, Bacillus coagulans (former classification - Lactobacillus sporogenes)
with 4.8 billion CFUs, in our opinion the perfect amount to keep that optimum healthy gut going strong.
The Food Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) defined a probiotic as "live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host."
The essentials probiotics in our formulation aid in the nutritional support of the body's continued gut health.
You will find multiple active strains in our proprietary blend such as
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, L. casei ssp. casei, L. helveticus, L. salivarius, L. plantarum, B. infantis, B. longum, L. brevis, L. gasseri, L. reuteri, L. rhamnosus, Bacillus coagulans (former classification - Lactobacillus sporogenes)
with 4.8 billion CFUs, in our opinion the perfect amount to keep that optimum healthy gut going strong.
