Let's face it. Overeating during the holidays is an American pastime. There are simple measures you can take to help alleviate that stuffed feeling.

• Drink plenty of water
• Try to eat from more than 1 or 2 food groups
• Chew your food well
• For heartburn - the antacids only make it worse in the long run
• Take your enzymes
• Moderate your food intake
  
  

Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water can actually reduce fat deposits. HOW MUCH WATER IS ENOUGH? For optimal health a person should drink ¨? oz for every pound of body weight per day.

Eating a variety of food sources increases the likelihood of obtaining adequate nutrients. If there was a magic bullet in nutrition, it would be fiber. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is not only important for nutrient adequacy but for adequate fiber intake.

Chewing your food well releases saliva for better digestion.

Did you know that $7Billion a year is spent on antacids? Antacids are made to neutralize stomach acid when in reality most people need to increase stomach acid. The symptom is heartburn. Treat the cause not the effect. The symptoms that led to using antacids and acid blockers are more often due to inadequate and slow digestion. Stomach acid is essential for good digestion, it activates your own digestive enzymes, discourages the growth of bacteria and kills bad bacteria that might be in the food. It also breaks down proteins.

Enzymes -There may be deficiencies in the output of one or more of the products that the organs of the digestive tract produce. The most common problem that Dr. Thompson finds with adults and children alike is a deficiency in the output of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. This can largely be attributed to the lack of enzymes in our food supply. With most cooking processes, especially microwaving, and the processing of most of our grocery items, our food no longer has life quality. The enzymes are gone. This puts an added burden on our digestive tract to produce more enzymes. Therefore it is imperative that most people, even those without apparent digestive symptoms, take digestive enzymes by capsule. Popular herbs and plants with digestive enzyme qualities are ginger, pineapple (bromelain), and papaya (papain). Another digestive "product" that may need to be replaced is hydrochloric acid, produced by the stomach. Some enzyme products contain hydrochloric acid (HCL) or additional stomach support nutrients such as vitamin B12 and glutamic acid.

Bon Apetit. By moderating your food intake and not OVER eating, your can reduce your chances of gaining weight. Acknowledge and follow your internal cues for hunger and satisfaction.

Remember that you probably have digestion issues if you are not eliminating every time you eat a solid meal.

Dr. Laura Thompson, Family Nutritionist and Naturopathic Endocrinologist has a nationwide practice by phone, and locally in Carlsbad, California. Call for in-home testing info, 800-608-5602.  

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products suggested, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please check with your health care practitioner for your best health options.