Monday 3 December 2012

How to enjoy the festivities, prepare your liver and avoid the difficult day after




 This festive period is the occasion of long and very rich meals. With these excesses our digestive system can struggle and it may results in nausea, bloating, spasms, head aches, deep fatigue, weigh gain etc…

 

Before:

¯  A week before: 30 drops of milk thistle tincture 3 times a day: protect the liver and help the digestion.

¯  Mono diets (optional): 1 or 2 evenings per week: homemade thick vegetable soup or stock, or whole grain rice, or large plate of cooked vegetables or a warm homemade apple sauce (no sugar or sweetener)

¯  Before the big meal: 3 capsules of activated vegetable charcoal: absorbs toxic substances, avoids bloating and discomfort from excess.

¯  Avoid mixing alcohol

¯  Drink slowly. Alternate a glass of water between the glasses of wine.

¯  Eat slowly: take the time to chew well and enjoy your food. Stop to eat when you don’t enjoy the taste anymore.

¯  Hot bottle on the liver: after lunch or during the night, an excellent remedy for your digestion!

The day after:

Give some rest to your digestive system:

¯  First thing: A large glass of warm/hot water to re-hydrate your body, add some lemon juice.

¯  Break fast: fresh fruits, fruit compote and whole grain toast

¯  Lunch: salads, fish and steamed vegetables

¯  Dinner: you can choose to eat only vegetables, fresh vegetables juices or soups. A bowl of wholemeal rice can be added to the meal.

Your liver will be at rest during the night, and this will help you to have a strong immune system and to feel more energetic.

¯  It is indispensable to provide a proper hydration to your body by drinking lots of warm drinks as herbal infusion (rosemary, fennel, lime blossom, nettle, peppermint, green tea…) and water.

 

* These recommendation doesn’t apply for children and you must consult a specialist if you on a specific treatment.

 

Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

 

Florence McVeigh
Naturopath