10 Tips to survive (and enjoy) Christmas with Food Intolerances.

• Mindful eating means more than making mindful chooses about what to eat. Slow down, sit down and relax when you eat. Chew your food thoroughly and allow the ‘Rest and Digest’ arm of your nervous system to be dominant. This slow, mindful eating really makes a difference to how you assimilate and absorb the food you eat. It’s more enjoyable and social this way too comes easy over a leisurely Christmas lunch or dinner to practice. 

• From a grazing plate, choose rice crackers, olives, sundried tomato, hommus and avocado rather than wheat biscuits or a selection of cheeses.

• Choose turkey and seafood over pork or ham. 

• Add salads and vegetables to your plate to balance out the more problem foods.

• Choose fruit or sorbet which is dairy free over ice cream, pudding and custard desserts.

• Have small serves then stop and check in on how you’re feeling after each portion rather than eating a lot quickly.

• Don’t arrive really hungry on Christmas day, prepare with a healthy breakfast on Christmas morning. A protein shake, vegetable juice, green smoothie or porridge are all good options.

• If drinking alcohol, vodka with real lime and soda is the safest option if you have multiple intolerances. Alternate or switch after 1 or 2 drinks to soda or mineral water with fresh mint. 

• Digestive enzyme deficiency is one of the main causes of food intolerance. Taking an enzyme supplement specific for your intolerance can significantly reduce the reactions you have when eating problem foods. If you are unsure of which enzymes are best for you or you have multiple food intolerances, use a multi enzyme formula such as Critical Digestion or Intolergest.

• Tiredness after overeating is normal as the blood supply is sent to the gut for digestion and the body is asking you to ‘rest and digest. However, tiredness or fogginess after eating a normal meal is a sign of food intolerance.

If you experience bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhoea, tiredness, indigestion foggy thinking or rashes after eating you may have a food intolerance. Food intolerances differ from true food allergy but can be just as uncomfortable. You can take a simple test to find out what foods are making you feel unwell. 

Book here for an appointment to help identify or manage your food intolerances.