1. 69YOGA MAGAZINE.COM
M
ELAHAT TURKERMAN
NUTRITION
A FULLY QUALIFIED
NATUROPATHIC NU-
TRITIONAL THERAPIST,
AND MEMBER OF THE
BRITISH ASSOCIATION
FOR APPLIED NUTRI-
TION AND NUTRITIONAL
THERAPY (BANT).
MELAHAT PROVIDES
CONSULTATIONS AT
HER LONDON CLINIC.
Christmas
Time
Mistletoe And Wine
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2. 70 YOGA MAGAZINE.COM
It’s that time of year again with the festive season in full swing very soon,
you want to enjoy life to the fullest…you deserve it after all.
With the rich food extravaganza beginning in early December and lasting
right into the New Year, between office potlucks, family gatherings, and
a hectic round of drinks invitations, you may be loving the late nights.
Your digestive organs, liver and immune system on the other hand may
be struggling to keep up with your social life. The question is how can
you increase your sense of wellbeing, boost energy levels and ensure you
stay in the swing of the festive season?
All too often the temptation of mince pies, sausage rolls, mulled wine
and cocktails can quickly leave you feeling heavy and sluggish with vari-
ous stomach and digestive related issues. Sure, it’s always a challenge
keeping on track during the festive season, however it is easier than you
may think without depriving yourself of your favourite treats complete-
ly. With a little digestive support and healthy eating strategies in place,
you can shield yourself from digestive disturbances and support your im-
munity.
Eat Breakfast
The holiday season is typically busy, but fitting in all of your regular meals
helps keep you on track and satisfied when you do face Christmas treats
in the break room, reducing the chances of an unhealthy food binge. Try
having warm water with lemon in the mornings before your breakfast to
help kick start your digestive enzymes for the day.
Take Your Time
In our already rushed lives there is little harm in spending time at the din-
ner table. Taking the meal slowly will aid in the digestive process, making
more of the meal available to your body and also prevent overeating.
Satisfy Your Cravings
When it comes to health, moderation is key, so eat in limited quantity
without overstuffing your stomach. Overeating is a major cause of acid-
ity and other digestive related symptoms. Consume selectively, and save
your indulgences for the treats you truly love by having small amounts
of your favourite Christmas treats only, not every treat passing your way.
Replenish Your Gut Flora
In the event that you have overindulged, take extra care of the organs
that will be overworking. Ensure you have probiotics nearby to have with
meals or digestive herbs afterwards to help you throughout. Optibac do
a very effective probiotic in handy individually packed sachets for conve-
nience. Their anti-bloat flat tummy powder drink is especially effective
when taken together with your meals.
optibacprobiotics.co.uk
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3. 71YOGA MAGAZINE.COM
Keep Digestive Aids Handy
As poor digestion is the most common cause of waste
gases and sluggish bowels, herbs such as peppermint and
dandelion are effective in helping to relieve some of the
uncomfortable tightness. A.Vogel do a handy pocket size
liquid drop containing both peppermint and dandelion as
well as purifying artichoke extract. The blend of herbs in
their Digestisan drops work together to help optimise di-
gestive and liver health, crucial at any time and especially
in the party season. avogel.co.uk
Support Your Liver
The liver does a great job of detoxifying many of the po-
tentially harmful substances our bodies take on board, but
it really comes under pressure during the festive season.
With an increased overload of alcohol and rich stodgy
foods, it can lead to a host of symptoms from headaches,
irritability, and bad breath, and of course if you’re the one
hosting it wouldn’t exactly guarantee a role as the life and
soul of the party.
Try taking a bitter herb like olive leaf extract before bed
or upon waking to encourage the body to release its di-
gestive enzymes and reduce insulin spikes. Comvita do a
pocket size bottle of fresh extract which works to support
the liver with its unique synergy of antioxidants, aiding
the body in its natural detoxification processes and flush-
ing harmful chemicals from the bloodstream - digestion
is improved and the immune system receives a welcome
boost. comvita.co.uk
Keep Water Handy
As with your favourite foods, a little taste of the traditional
Christmas beverages such as eggnog and hot chocolate
won’t completely derail a healthy diet, just make sure
you’re not neglecting the importance of water. Balance
alcoholic beverages by following each glass with a glass
of water to ensure you are sufficiently hydrated and help
prevent overindulgences.
Most Of All Enjoy!
It’s difficult to avoid overeating during the Christmas and
New Year festivities, so if you do slip up now and then,
don’t beat yourself up for it. Just make sure your next
meal or snack is a healthy one, and remember to enjoy
and savour the spirit of the festive season, your friends,
family and holiday.
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