The holidays are finally here, and many people have been waiting all year to enjoy the delicious turkey, sides, desserts and other foods this time of year brings. However, many of the holidays’ rich and yummy foods are actually terrible for your gut health.
If you're living with IBS, acid reflux, or an inflammatory bowel condition, watching what you eat is even more important over the holidays. At Gateway Gastroenterology in Chesterfield, Missouri, our gastroenterology specialists offer tips and tricks to avoid GI upset during the busy holiday season.
Many people wait all year for the excitement and delicious food of the winter holidays – but those foods aren’t great for your gut. While many people can eat whatever they want, others worry about their digestive health when it comes to rich holiday foods.
This time of year can cause digestive issues for people with gut problems for many reasons. The stress of the season and disrupted routines can cause issues in the GI system, including bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.
Foods at holiday gatherings are also usually very rich, high in fat and sodium, and sometimes full of sugar. All of these ingredients can lead to digestive upset and uncomfortable symptoms, especially if you overindulge.
Although holiday foods are tasty and usually unavoidable, they aren't the best for your digestion, especially if you're living with a GI disorder. Even people with a healthy gut suffer from bloating and GI upset from eating rich foods during the holiday season.
Some foods are definitely worse for digestive health than others. Seven foods that we tell you to avoid during the holidays to keep your GI system happy are:
Overly processed foods are those that include some ingredients you can’t pronounce. These foods are often terrible for gut health and include chips, processed snacks, and candy, all of which are plentiful during holiday gatherings.
We use butter in most dishes for holiday meals, which is high in fat. Oils and other high-fat foods are terrible for digestion and can lead to acid reflux, bloating, and GI upset or nausea if you indulge too much.
Onions and garlic are staples in many foods, but they're not necessarily good for the gut. If you have IBS or an inflammatory bowel disorder, it's good to steer clear of these foods to avoid digestive upset and GI problems.
A fried turkey is something many people enjoy over the holidays, but it's a terrible idea for your gut. Any fried food can upset your stomach and cause abdominal pain and cramping, especially with IBS.
A lot of people love holiday coffee drink flavors and festive mixed drinks – but they're no good for your GI health. Too much coffee and alcohol during the holidays can lead to days or weeks of GI dysfunction and poor digestion.
Dairy products are a trigger for many people, but cheese trays and dairy products are plentiful at holiday get-togethers. If you know dairy upsets your gut, it's best to avoid it altogether or take a lactose supplement before indulging in ice cream.
Too much sugar in the form of holiday cookies, cakes, and candies is a gut disaster. Steer clear of overly sugary treats if you want your digestion to stay intact in the new year.
It's OK to indulge in holiday gluttony a little, but it's essential not to overdo it. Keeping your digestive system healthy throughout the long holiday season is critical for optimal enjoyment.
Our GI specialists offer tips and tricks to maintain gut health all year round, including:
If you're worried about how your gut will react to holiday foods, call or message Gateway Gastroenterology today to schedule an appointment. We have offices in St. Louis, Ballwin, Des Peres, and Chesterfield, Missouri.