The festive season can be overwhelming, indulgent, exhausting, full of emotions and all kinds of food!  Try not to over-stress during the next week. Take time to rest and relax, and try to only eat when you’re mentally calm.

With the mad run up to Christmas, rushing, over-spending and stressing to get ready in time you are in “sympathetic nervous system mode” (fight-or flight; i.e. running away from a bear) your circulation is diverted from your digestion to your periphery (muscles) so you can run!  Unfortunately, you can’t digest on the run!  So, make sure you sit and relax through all your meals. It can be hard but try to put your fork down between bites and chew your food well.

In order to digest our food properly we need sufficient amounts of enzymes, hydrochloric acid (HCL), and bile which are all compromised by poor food choices, medications, various diseases, aging, and other factors. Include plenty of raw, gently cooked, blended or juiced vegetables and fruit.

Our intestinal tracts are host to over 500 different types of bacteria. In fact, you might be surprised to know that you have more bacteria in your gut than cells in your body!  Due to poor diets, overuse of antibiotics and medications, environmental stress, diminished soil integrity, being born by C-section, among other factors, most people have too many bad bacteria compared to the good bacteria. Replenish the gut with healthy flora through the use of supplemental probiotics. Over winter this supports the immune system too, so a course now will keep you on the straight and narrow, plus help support weight maintenance and mood.

To find out more about supplement brands and what strains to take , contact Suzanne here:

+34 647 397 501
info@vitalnutrition.eu

Written by Suzanne Garaty

About the author Suzanne is a Nutritional Therapist trained in London at College of Naturopathic medicine. She has 25 years experience as a chef and recently trained in raw foods, at a gourmet level with Matthew Kenney. Suzanne’s business is Vital Nutrition which she founded in 2008. She offers private consultancies focusing on diet and lifestyle improvements supporting patients on their journey to optimum health. Her regular cookery workshops are delicious, fun and educational and her cooking skills are available to private clients, on retreats and for chef training.