The December festivities often rhyme with copious meals and excess alcohol, sometimes putting our stomachs to the test. You may quickly experience discomfort such as bloating or a feeling of heaviness. On TkTok, Léa Pateras-Pescara, pharmacist and micronutrition expert, offers four tips for better enjoying these end-of-year meals.
Foods rich in fiber
Whole grains, green vegetables or even fruits… All these foods rich in fiber can help your transit and greatly facilitate your digestion. The pharmacist specifies: “Adding a nice salad as a starter or cooked vegetables to your main dishes can really make a difference in avoiding digestive discomfort.”. So, take the opportunity to change your recipes to incorporate these foods!
Mint or ginger infusion
After your meal, opt for a mint or ginger tea/herbal tea. In addition to the warmth which is good for the stomach and offers a soothing feeling, these two ingredients can be beneficial for your digestion. “Mint has antispasmodic properties that help relax digestive muscles, while ginger stimulates digestion and reduces gas formation. explains Léa Pateras-Pescara.
Digestive enzymes
In her video, the pharmacist advises you to turn to digestive enzymes. The tip: take them before a meal. “They help your stomach better digest meals rich in fat and protein, and help limit the feeling of heaviness by breaking down food more easily.explains the pharmacist. To obtain it, go directly to your pharmacist.
Phytotherapy
If, despite the previous advice, you suffer from bloating, you can look into herbal medicine. This involves taking activated charcoal, since it is known to absorb part of the intestinal gas. The pharmacist advises taking “500 mg to 1g per day in the form of capsules at the time of pain, ideally between meals”.
If the pain persists, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.