Love it or loathe it there’s no escaping the merry making marathon that is December. And like any marathon, it’s best to pace yourself if you want to come out on top and look and feel your best this party season.
With all the late nights, overindulgence and germs floating around, it’s easy to get burnt out in the run up to Christmas which is why I’ve put together a survival guide to solve all of your seasonal health woes.
Seasonal Health Woes Solved
HANGOVER PREVENTION
Hydrate – always drink a glass of water before you start drinking and ideally one in-between each alcoholic beverage. This will help dilute the alcohol in your bloodstream.
Line the Stomach – eating a balanced and substantial meal before/whilst drinking alcohol is important. Including some fat before imbibing can reduce your risk of a hangover because fats line your stomach for longer and slow down the absorption of alcohol. Healthy fat options include eggs, olive oil, salmon or avocadoes.
Milk Thistle – the active compound found in this herbal remedy supports liver function which will help your body break down the alcohol. Take it before you head out and right before bed.
Breakfast Cures
Ditch the fry up – cooked fats are difficult to digest and hard on the liver, your body does not need additional work whilst it’s trying to heal itself. Instead, opt for a breakfast which contains foods that will help repair the damage.
Porridge with chopped banana is a good hangover food as both contain crucial B vitamins which help reduce the stress your body is under. The banana will also help restore lost potassium.
Eggs on wholegrain toast is another good option. Egg yolks contain large amounts of cysteine, which breaks down acetaldehyde, one of the culprits behind a hangover.
Fruit Smoothie made up from natural yogurt, banana and berries is a great hangover cure because dairy is another good source of cysteine and works well paired with high vitamin C fruit.
DIGESTIVE DISCOMFORT Tis the season to be jolly but tis also the season of overindulgence leaving many of us feeling uncomfortable and reaching for the alka seltzer. Below are some natural remedies which will get your tummy back on track in no time.
Nausea – Ginger has been used to treat stomach upset and nausea for more than 2,000 years. A cup of fresh ginger tea should calm you stomach instantly. Just add a couple of slices to boiled water and steep for 10 minutes.
Bloating – Fennel is extremely effective for treating stomach bloating and helping to relieve wind. Fennell works really well roasted in the oven with olive oil or you can drink fennel tea instead which you can buy from health stores.
Heartburn – Slippery Elm is a natural herb that provides a barrier against the damaging properties of acid reflux and can help heartburn sufferers greatly. You can buy it in health stores and take it in drops or tablet form.
HANGOVER CURE
Replace lost electrolytes – Adding lemon, salt and honey to water helps replace the sodium and glycogen lost the night before whereas the likes of tea and coffee will just further dehydrate you. See recipe below for the perfect ‘morning after’ drink:
Homemade Rehydration Drink
Ingredients:
½ a lemon
A good pinch of sea salt
1 teaspoon of honey
Method
Boil your kettle and allow it to cool a little. Get a large glass. Squeeze in the juice of the lemon and add the salt and honey, add a splash of hot water from the kettle, and mix until the salt and honey are dissolved, top up with cold water and drink immediately.
