Some people find it awkward to discuss constipation, or other digestive issues. An estimated 15-20% of people worldwide are affected by constipation. In the United States, nearly 42 million people are affected, and many of them require hospital visits annually. 

What Is Constipation?

Everyone is different, and that can apply to many things, but there is a clear definition of what constipation is. Constipation is a digestive problem that is characterized by having three or less stools per week, or having a difficult time passing stool. It is quite common and you can treat it by making changes to your diet and exercise plan, although it can occasionally require medication. Long-term constipation, or chronic constipation, may require treatment of an underlying healthy condition that can cause or worsen constipation. Symptoms can include:

• Straining or pain when passing stools
• Fewer than three stools per week
• A feeling that the rectum is blocked
• A feeling that not all stool has passed
• The need to use something, like a finger, to help pass stool

How Can You Improve Constipation With Smoothies?

People who suffer from constipation tend to have diets low in fiber, or they do not consume enough water throughout the day. Failure to drink enough water throughout the day can cause a person to feel constipated. Additionally, limited intake of soluble and insoluble fiber can lead to ongoing constipation and an unhealthy microbiome. 

Where do smoothies enter the equation? Well, you can increase your intake of both fiber and water, in addition to essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, by adding a blend of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds to your smoothies.

Selecting Ingredients

In search of great smoothie recipes to help alleviate constipation? You want to find recipes that are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Some of the best fruits and vegetables to include in your smoothie are:

• Pears: Brimming with antioxidants and natural sweetness, pears provide much needed fiber to encourage healthy digestive function. 
• Apples: Apples are great to include in smoothies if you follow a low FODMAP diet. They have lots of fiber, especially in the peels, and their natural juice is great for constipation relief. 
• Blueberries: Blueberries contain anthocyanins, which are antioxidant compounds that work to encourage healthy brain, immune, and digestive function and fight oxidative stress. They are also naturally sweet and contain a big boost of vitamin C. 
• Watermelon: Rich in both vitamin C and water, watermelon is a great ingredient to enhance your hydration efforts. 
• Celery: Celery is a popular ingredient in juices and smoothies because it is rich in water and fiber. The downside to juicing celery is that you lose that fiber. Just keep in mind that celery has a strong flavor, so pair it with apples, pears, or other sweet fruits to help combat its intensity.
• Prunes: Not only are prunes rich in fiber, but they also contain a lot of sorbitol, which helps to keep things moving through the intestines. Pure prune juice is a great natural remedy for constipation.

Best Smoothies For Constipation

When you mix fruits and vegetables that contain diverse nutritional profiles, you can help enhance overall health, while potentially relieving constipation in the process. Below, we have three smoothies that may help get things moving. 

Beet Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 large beet, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1-inch knob of ginger, peeled and grated
• 1/2 tsp organic psyllium husk powder
• Raw agave nectar, to taste

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Make sure to blend thoroughly to break down the beets.
• Pour into a large cup and enjoy immediately. 

Fiber-Rich Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup filtered water
• 1/2 banana, frozen
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 cup pineapple, cubed
• 1 tbsp chia seeds

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend for about 30-60 seconds. 
• Pour into a large cup and enjoy immediately. 

Smoothie For Colon Health

Ingredients:

• 1 medium carrot, peeled, and roughly chopped
• 1 medium apple, cored and roughly chopped
• 1.5-inch knob of ginger, peeled, and grated
• 1 medium beet, peeled, and roughly chopped
• Handful of parsley
• 1 tbsp flaxseed powder
• 1 tbsp flaxseed oil
• 3/4 cup filtered water

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend on high until smooth. This may take up to one minute or more, depending on your blender. 
• Pour into a large cup and enjoy immediately.

SHARE:

The post 3 Great Smoothies To Relieve Constipation appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Are you looking to bring more life and flavor to your dishes? Perhaps you have been searching for a great sauce for zucchini noodles, or just a tasty dip for vegetables. Whatever your culinary goals, this raw vegan hemp seed pesto is the dish that you’re after. It’s been in your dreams and you didn’t even realize it until you clicked on this recipe. It is robust in flavor and is dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. It has that signature basil flavor, while the nutritional yeast offers that signature cheesy elements, in addition to necessary vitamin B12.

Because this pesto stores for four to five days in the fridge, you can add it to several different meals. All you need is a blender or food processor and the ingredients. Blend until you reach your desired consistency, adjusting seasonings to taste. Allow yourself to be generous with the sea salt and pepper (especially the pepper). If you prefer a runnier pesto, add a little more olive oil or water and blend until it meets your liking.

• As always with raw vegan recipes, there are many antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that the body can easily absorb. For reference:
• Hemp seeds are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, plant-based protein, vitamin E, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
• Nutritional yeast is a great source of B-vitamins, including niacin, B6, thiamine, riboflavin, and B12, in addition to manganese, zinc, and selenium.
• Basil exhibits impressive antioxidant activity and is a great source of calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, K, and B6.

SHARE:

The post Easy Raw Vegan Hemp Seed Pesto appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Think about how often your yoga mat touches the floor, especially if that floor is in a public yoga studio. Now think about all of the sweat, oils, and bacteria that accumulate on the mat during your yoga session. It’s safe to say that your yoga mat needs to be cleaned regularly, but does that happen? We are not here to judge; rather, we are here to provide a natural cleaner that helps remove all of that dirt and grime. 

What Is A DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner?

Think of this as a general cleaning spray, only without all of the harsh chemicals. This homemade solution contains vinegar or witch hazel, and essential oils, all of which help to remove sweat, germs, dirt, and oils from your yoga mat. That helps make your mat not only cleaner, but wonderfully scented. 

Using a DIY yoga mat cleaner also helps save you money and reduces waste. Not to mention, it gives you control over what touches your skin. Plus, making your own cleaner can feel both rewarding and creative, almost as if crafting your own wellness ritual. Keeping your yoga mat clean can help avoid skin irritation, in addition to the following benefits: 

• Helping prevent breakouts and skin rashes
• Removing odors caused by sweat
• Keeping the yoga mat free of bacteria and germs
• Extending the yoga mat’s life
• Enhancing the overall yoga experience 

Why Use Vinegar?

Vinegar is a staple household ingredient that is highly useful when it comes to cleaning certain items and surfaces. Regarding cleaning, vinegar’s most useful asset is its acidity. It is mild enough not to damage fabrics and surfaces, while being strong enough to get rid of stubborn stains and deposits. It can have a pH as low as 2.2 to 10 times as acidic as the average soft drink. 

One of the advantages of vinegar is that it exhibits antimicrobial activity. Some highly evolved bacteria can survive in acidic environments, but most find it difficult to thrive and replicate in these conditions. According to research, cleaning with vinegar can kill a range of pathogens, including E. coli. It has also proven to be an effective cleaning agent for dentures or a disinfectant for fruits and vegetables. 

What About Witch Hazel?

Yet another medicine cabinet hero! Witch hazel is typically for beauty applications, but it can be a powerful addition to your natural cleaning arsenal. Witch hazel is typically used as an astringent to help clean minor cuts or soothe bug bites. The astringent and antibacterial properties make it a fantastic cleaning agent. It is great for light cleaning tasks, especially when you want to avoid harsh chemicals. 

Not only can witch hazel improve your at-home cleaning game, but it can also help neutralize odors. Just keep in mind that witch hazel is not an approved disinfectant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You should not rely on witch hazel to eliminate viruses or bacteria; rather, use it as a complementary cleaner for light tasks. 

DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar or witch hazel (whichever you prefer)
• 10 drops tea tree oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Pour the distilled water into a spray bottle and then add the vinegar or witch hazel. 
• Drop in the essential oils and then screw on the top. Shake gently before each use to thoroughly mix up the ingredients. 
• To use, lightly spray on your yoga mat and wipe with a soft cloth.

SHARE:

The post 4-Ingredient Natural Yoga Mat Cleaner appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

When you want to be healthy and consume a lot of different fruits and vegetables in one meal, turn to old faithful: the reliable smoothie. You can create beautiful and harmonious flavors by blending different fruits and vegetables together. Sometimes, the smoothie can be sneakily healthy. How is that possible? You add fruits that are packed with antioxidants and vital nutrients to complement the vitamins and minerals in leafy greens.

The smoothie is green because it contains spinach. Like any other leafy green, spinach controls the color of the smoothie. Similarly, beets turn a smoothie red and blueberries turn a smoothie blue. The dark pigments, which are antioxidant compounds that benefit cellular health, in these ingredients are to blame. To blame or to thank? We will let you be the judge of that.

This green smoothie contains bananas, pineapple, and grapefruit. Before you add the banana and pineapple to the blender, you’ll want to peel them and roughly dice them. Scatter them across a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer overnight. Make sure that the fruit pieces are in a single layer to avoid clumping. If you do not want to freeze the fruit, you can use fresh fruit and add ice until the smoothie reaches your desired consistency.

SHARE:

The post Sneaky Healthy Green Smoothie appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Unless you avoid all things new (and we wouldn’t blame you if you did), you are probably aware of RFK Jr.’s inverted food pyramid. Federal officials released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, emphasizing the importance of protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Is that a bad thing? It actually urges Americans to limit their intake of added sugars, explaining that “no amount’ is considered part of a healthy diet. 

The new nutrition guidelines also state that no meal should contain more than 10 grams of added sugar. Health officials are targeting highly- or ultra-processed foods and refined carbohydrates. They recommend consumers avoid packaged, prepared, or ready-to-eat foods because they contain excess sodium, added sugars, trans fats, and more. Additionally, health officials encourage Americans to “eat the right amount for you,” basing daily caloric intake on weight, height, age, sex, and level of physical activity. Portion sizes and proper hydration are just as integral to your health as what you eat. 

RFK Jr. states that his inverted pyramid acts as a guideline to help people return to the basics. He wants people to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods and reduce the intake of highly processed foods. This sounds great in theory, but there are a few issues with the new guidelines. We will explore what health experts think about the pyramid in this article.

Fear-mongering About Plant-Based Diets

It is no secret that plant-based diets have their health benefits. All you have to do is look at the supporting research. The new guidelines single out vegetarian and vegan diets as risky, exaggerating nutrient gaps without sufficient evidence. Yes, vegan and vegetarian diets have limited food options that contain some vital nutrients. There are fortified foods and supplements that can fill those gaps, though. In fact, supplementing key nutrients, such as vitamin B12, is an inexpensive and safe way to eat. The guidelines also ignore extensive research revealing the substantial health benefits of plant-based eating. If more people were plant-based, the country could save hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare costs. 

Should You Consume More Full-Fat Dairy?

The new guidelines recommend three servings of full-fat dairy products (with no added sugars) per day. The guidelines state that “dairy is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.” Health experts agree that one serving of full-fat dairy per day (about 1 to 1.5 ounces) is sufficient. There is not enough evidence to support the escalation of three servings per day. 

Plus, when you consider that roughly 65-70% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant, increasing dairy intake may not be the best idea. It’s also important to note that multiple servings of full-fat cheese can quickly exceed the recommended limits of daily saturated fat and sodium. Elevating cheese or full-fat dairy as a prominent health guideline may not benefit long-term health. 

Healthy Fats Are Encouraged

Healthy fats are vital for heart health, brain function, hormone production, and inflammation reduction. Additionally, they help the body absorb essential vitamins and keep you full for longer. Encouraging the consumption of healthy fats is not a bad thing, but you have to be careful where you get them. Prioritize foods that contain essential fatty acids, such as olive oil, avocado oil, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and other food sources. 

There are several contradictions about the consumption of healthy fats within the new guidelines, though. There is a numeric recommendation to limit saturated fat to 10% of your daily caloric intake. On the other hand, the guidelines emphasize meat and full-fat dairy consumption and varied portion sizes, so it is difficult to understand your limits in a real world diet setting. 

Not All Fruits And Vegetables Are Equal

The new guidelines encourage Americans to eat fruits and vegetables throughout the day, focusing on their whole forms. It is no secret that a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables can deliver valuable nutrients to the body. The suggestion is three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit per day. 

While vegetables belong in any healthy diet, starchy vegetables (such as corn and potatoes) should be consumed in moderation. Additionally, fruits contain beneficial nutrients, but they can contain high levels of sugar, which will not benefit those with blood sugar issues. Berries are low-glycemic fruits and may be better than apples or bananas for people watching their blood sugar. 

The Best Advice For A Balanced Diet

Ideally, focus on simple, well-established dietary patterns that are supported by a large body of research. You don’t have to follow guidelines just because a guy said so. We believe it is best to focus on consuming a wide variety of plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains. Be mindful about your portions, especially if you choose to consume animal-based foods, such as meats and dairy products. Should you choose to consume meat, make sure the beef is grass-fed/grass-finished, your poultry is free range and organic, and your fish is wild caught. Dairy should be organic as well. 

Don’t focus on hitting specific nutrients or rigid targets. Make your goal to build a balanced, flexible diet that you can maintain over time.

SHARE:

The post What Do Health Experts Think About RFK Jr.’s Inverted Pyramid? appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

December is the month when celebrations, vacations, and lots of eating take place. If you succumb to the power of hot chocolate, candy canes, and pumpkin spice lattes, then your caloric intake dramatically increases. Then New Year’s Eve rolls around and you treat yourself to appetizers and libations. January arrives and the weather is still cold, decreasing the likelihood that you’ll go out and get a gym membership like you said you would.

Even though you may not gain 15 pounds, winter weight gain is a real thing. Shorter days, longer nights, and colder weather trigger the human’s animalistic urge to survive. Winter weather also gives people the desire to enjoy more comfort food in an effort to stay warm. And people continue to enjoy these heavy meals long after the holidays are over. Finally, fat cells are also more sensitive to sunlight, which is something that lacks during the winter. All of these things make gaining weight during winter a lot easier than you could ever imagine. 

You don’t have to let winter control your weight when you are aware of why weight gain happens. Even though the holidays are over, winter still has its ways of tempting you. Continue reading to learn about common ways people gain weight during the winter. 

Changes In Sleep Habits

The lack of sunshine and colder temperatures can negatively affect your sleep habits. When you cannot maintain healthy sleep patterns, you are more prone to overeating and choosing less nutritious foods. According to registered dietitians, the darker days and cold can cause people to hit snooze on alarms more frequently. This can throw off eating times, and may even cause people to skip breakfast because of rushing to leave the house. Skipping breakfast can lead to drive-thru breakfast orders or overeating later in the day. It may even cause higher sugar cravings. 

People Eat More Like Animals

Researchers suggest that humans tend to eat more like animals in colder climates. Colder temperatures activate the internal drive in the same way as it does in animals. This means that the body craves more calories to gain fat in order to promote internal insulation. When you’re cold, the body burns more calories to raise the core temperature, causing people to eat and refuel the tank. There’s nothing wrong with eating more, but choosing nutritious options over unhealthy foods is often the obstacle to overcome. Choose hearty stews with potatoes, legumes, and vegetables and bowls with whole grains and roasted vegetables to fill up with nutrients. 

Dehydration

You’d think that summer is the most common season to experience dehydration, but hydration issues still occur during the colder months. When the temperature drops, people don sweaters, scarves, beanies, gloves, and more. These clothing items cause people to sweat, just as outdoor heat causes people to sweat during summer. When the body is in a state of dehydration, it’s common to reach for additional calories to consume. It’s understandable that you don’t always want to drink cold water, so consider drinking herbal, caffeine-free teas to help promote hydration during winter.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Shorter days and lack of sunshine can have a significant affect on your mood. Sometimes, it takes moving to a place that experiences more sunshine and warmer weather to realize that they help lift your spirits. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression caused by seasonal change. As is typical with mood disorders, SAD can cause poor diet quality that ultimately leads to weight gain. Although exercise can help boost mood and counteract weight gain, a dietary change is often necessary. 

People Don’t Exercise As Much

Naturally, the winter cold doesn’t entice people to exercise outside, although there are some people who run no matter the conditions. Failure to spend time in the sun and outside can lead to the previously mentioned SAD. Lack of exercise also contributes to weight gain during the winter. Some people postpone exercise in December and vow to resume their workout regimen in the New Year. This doesn’t always come to fruition, and people remain in an exercise lull until warmer weather arrives. With so many exercise apps and online workout videos, it’s easier than ever to workout whenever and wherever. Don’t let the weather dictate when you work out!

SHARE:

The post Winter Weight Gain: 5 Reasons Why It Happens appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

This homemade raw vegan sunflower seed cheese is exactly what happens when you decide let ingredients shine. It’s the simplicity that allows this dish to show off a little. “Cheese” made from humble sunflower seeds? You got that right, but we transformed them into something unexpectedly luxurious, creamy, tangy, and deeply satisfying. No dairy, no cooking, and no drama necessary. What you’re left with is a smooth, spoonable masterpiece that somehow tastes like it took way more effort than you put into it.

As a dip, this is the life of the party, even if it is just a party of one. It’s as if the vegetables you choose to dip in the sunflower seed cheese suddenly try harder. Even a plain slice of cucumber becomes a vehicle for greatness. As a spread, this “cheese” glides effortlessly onto wraps, or even toast or sandwiches that you make post-cleanse. It adds a beautiful richness without being too heavy. It’s bold enough to stand on its own, yet polite enough to play a supporting role that highlights other ingredients.

We don’t ever want to say that a recipe is perfect, but this one is in that quiet, confident way. This sunflower seed cheese proves that raw vegan food can be both wholesome and indulgent, offering robust nutrition and incredible depth of flavor. It doesn’t try to imitate anything; rather, it just plain delicious. Keep it fresh in your fridge for up to a couple days and trust us when we tell you that you’ll find excuses to eat it, but then quickly realize you didn’t need excuses at all.

SHARE:

The post Sunflower Seed Cheese appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

This is a simple yet vibrant, tangy salad dressing made from simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to make one flavorful creation. Smooth and rich olive oil forms the base, while freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the dressing with a clean, citrusy lift. A touch of apple cider vinegar, will do, as too much can overpower the other ingredients. It also adds extra acidity, ensuring the dressing stays lively and balanced.

In order to create savory depth without tamari or soy sauce, we included coconut aminos in this dressing, as it is not only raw vegan, but also gluten-free and gently sweet. The mild, umami-rich flavor pairs beautifully with nutritional yeast, which contributes an almost cheesy, nutty note to the dressing. Nutritional yeast is especially beneficial for vegans because it contains fortified B vitamins (most notably B12), which can be harder to obtain if you follow a plant-based diet. Its flavor and nutritional profile make it a valuable ingredient for vegan dishes. Mustard powder helps add another dimension of flavor to the dressing, bringing everything together with a subtle tang.

If you are familiar with our recipes, especially our salad dressing recipes, you know that we cannot omit garlic or garlic powder. It adds aromatic warmth, while the kiss of agave nectar provides just enough sweetness to round out the sharper flavors. What you are left with is a versatile, well-balanced dressing that enhances leafy greens, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or even works as a quick marinade. Whisk all of the ingredients together in a matter of minutes and you will have a truly special creation!

SHARE:

The post Nutritional Yeast Salad Dressing appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, it can be difficult to meet your recommended daily intake (RDI) of certain nutrients. The reason for this is because some nutrients, such as iron or vitamin B12, are more naturally present in animal-based foods. For example, red meats, such as beef or bison, are among the best sources of iron. A three-ounce serving of cooked ground beef provides 2.27 milligrams (mg) of iron, which translates to 12.6% of the RDI. 

There is no reason to fear if you follow a plant-based diet, though, as there are vegan sources of iron to help you meet your daily needs. Generally speaking, the average male over the age of 19 needs 8.7 mg per day, while a woman between ages 19 and 49 requires 14.8 mg per day. A woman over the age of 50 needs 8.7 mg of iron per day, but they may require the same amount as women aged 19 to 49 if they still have their period. Continue reading to learn about plant-based iron-rich foods that help you meet your daily iron needs. 

As a quick rule of thumb, be sure to pair plant-based iron-rich foods with vitamin C, as it enhances the body’s ability to absorb iron. Bell peppers, orange, juice, kiwis, guavas, and many other fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C. 

Tofu

A one-cup serving of tofu contains 6 mg of iron, which is close to the RDI, depending on who you are. Tofu is a plant-based protein made from soybeans, which are great sources of non-heme iron. It is a staple in plant-based diets, especially if people are concerned about their iron intake. You can enjoy tofu as a meat replacement, as it is very versatile and can easily absorb flavors, in addition to being high in protein. Try it baked, sautéed, in soups, or pan-fried, or even add it to sweet recipes like desserts and smoothies. 

Lentils

If you need iron on a vegan diet, do not ignore legumes like lentils, which are some of the most concentrated plant-based sources of iron. With 6 mg of iron in a one-cup serving, lentils offer more than twice the amount of iron in a typical serving of beef. Just like tofu, lentils offer non-heme iron, so the body absorbs it less efficiently than heme iron from animal foods. Due to the high concentration of iron in lentils, they remain an excellent choice for anyone following a vegan or vegetarian diet. They also offer plant-based protein, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. 

Dark Chocolate (45% – 69% Cacao)

A lot of people like to make the argument that eating dark chocolate is healthy. To be clear, eating dark chocolate all the time is not the diet you need in life, but eating it in moderation can help you obtain certain nutrients, such as iron. A two-ounce serving of dark chocolate provides 22% of the RDI of iron. This is because cocoa beans naturally contain iron, and that iron becomes more concentrated once the beans are ground into cocoa to make chocolate. Because dark chocolate is made with more cocoa than milk chocolate, it has a higher dose of iron. Just make sure to enjoy dark chocolate that ranges between 45% and 69% cacao. 

Spinach

As if you needed another reason to eat spinach. Spinach is a leafy green well known for its impressive nutritional profile. One serving of spinach packs more than twice as much iron as beef. One cup of spinach provides 34% of the RDI of iron. It is a very affordable produce item, making it a smart, iron-rich choice for budget-friendly plant-based shopping. Spinach is also rich in magnesium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, and more. Incorporate it into salads, smoothies, soups, stews, or sauté it with other vegetables. 

Stewed Tomatoes

To round out the list, we have an unsuspecting plant-based food: stewed tomatoes. Although fresh tomatoes are low in iron, concentrated tomato products, such as stewed tomatoes, are excellent sources of the mineral. One cup of stewed tomatoes provides 4 mg of iron, which is about 22% of the RDI. They also contain a lot of vitamin C, making stewed tomatoes a helpful ingredient for meeting your daily iron needs.

SHARE:

The post 5 Vegan Foods With More Iron Than Red Meat appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

It is fairly common for people to gain an average of one pound per year during the holiday season. Unfortunately, that one pound doesn’t tend to go anywhere, and those pounds accumulate as the years go by. There are several factors that contribute to this weight gain, such as lack of exercise or motivation to go to the gym, stress, or seasonal depression. One of the most common factors, though, is the fact that many holiday-themed meals contain hard-to-digest ingredients that are quite fattening. 

Most holiday favorites, from stuffing and pie to peppermint mocha lattes and beyond, contain lots of sodium, fats, unhealthy carbs, and refined sugars. These dishes may taste delicious, but they leave you feeling exhausted because of the energy required to digest them. Holiday classics like turkey, ham, and stuffing can take between one to two days to digest. Next-day bloating isn’t inevitable, though. You can avoid sluggishness and discomfort with the following strategies. 

Avoid Allergies Or Intolerances

Sometimes, people will willingly eat foods they know do not agree with them simply because those dishes are specific to the holidays. Sure, there are lactose-free versions of many holiday staples, but the body can still experience some side effects from eating these foods. The body stores excess water when you eat carbohydrates and the class of sugars found in milk products. When planning your holiday menu or eyeing certain holiday treats, try your best to not overdo it with foods that slow you down. Aside from milk and wheat products, onions, garlic, beans, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower can cause digestive side effects in some people. 

Take A Walk

It’s no secret that working out is quite uncommon during the holiday season. People are busy with end-of-year projects, traveling, holiday parties, school events, and so much more. Plus, a lot of people plan to lose weight or get fit in the new year, but we all know how that resolution tends to go. Take a walk whenever you can, be it on your lunch break or around the neighborhood before you leave for work. Additionally, take a 15- or 20-minute walk after you finish eating to aid digestion. Encouraging blood flow helps kickstart your metabolism and sweat helps flush excess toxins from the body. 

Save Room For Fiber-Rich Foods

We believe the saying, “Save room for dessert,” should be changed to, “Save room for fiber.” The reason for that is most people do not eat a sufficient amount of fiber in their daily diet. Dense foods that are full of refined sugars, simple carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats take forever to travel through the digestive tract. Incorporating more fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can make digestion a little easier this holiday season. Consider starting your meal with a salad or blended vegetable soup. Focus on fibrous greens, as they will help you feel full without overeating. 

Drink In Moderation

In addition to the fattening, hard-to-digest foods, alcohol also contributes to sluggish digestion and bloating. Mixed drinks tend to be high in refined sugar and air buildup from carbonated drinks like beer or champagne can cause excess gas. Additionally, the extra carbs in beer can leave you feeling slow, bloated, and sluggish. 

Check For Additives

We don’t want to generalize or insult any home chefs out there, so we’ll tread lightly here. Many holiday dishes utilize canned, boxed, or frozen foods that contain a lot of preservatives and excess sodium. Even a holiday staple like turkey can contain added sodium and pesticides. Additives can slow the digestive process and lead to water retention, two things that increase bloating. This year, opt for cleaner foods that are homemade. Consider roasting some seasonal vegetables or making blended vegetable soups. Knowing exactly what’s on your plate and in your food can help reduce the risk of bloating.

SHARE:

The post How To Beat The Bloat This Holiday Season appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.