Question: Do you have any tips to avoid gaining 10 lbs and feeling totally toxic after the holidays but yet still enjoy yourself?
Answer: Holiday festivities are well underway and too many of us are guilty of overspending and overindulging in the wrong foods, sugar and alcohol. Here are some tips on how to enjoy without playing for it: Choose protein like meatballs, shrimp, chicken wings and lots of veggies which will keep your blood sugar more stable and are best for weight loss and stabilizing mood.
PGX high fibre, high protein pre-meal shakes can help curb your appetite to reduce temptation. Avoid flour and sugar as much as possible as they promote weight gain and bothersome yeast overgrowth. Experiment with avoiding dairy if you have a lot of mucous and/or intestinal gas. Now, I am not condoning drinking to the point of drunkenness but a multi B compound (with niacinamide not niacin as it causes flushing in many people) and the amino acid NAC 1000 mg before bed both do wonders to speed the metabolism of alcohol and reduce its toxic effects for when the party is over.
Digestive enzymes taken while eating and up to two hours afterwards can help reduce the bloating and gas many get after overindulging or eating lots of wheat and dairy. To neutralize some of the weight gain, (or imagine even lose a few pounds if you eat as I've mentioned above), consider CLA One which has been shown to decrease abdominal fat and increase lean mass over a six week period. Probiotics are helpful to reduce yeast over growth from too many sweets and alcohol. A nice healthy treat is 70 per cent dark chocolate, which is low in sugar. My suggestion is not to put your health on the back burner over the holidays so that you go into the new year feeling on track and less overwhelmed by credit card bills and new year's resolutions to lose weight and live healthier.
Question: This time of year makes me feel really stressed because of financial pressures and probably bad emotions associated with Christmas. Is there anything natural to help a person feel a little calmer?
Answer: Journaling, counselling, meditation, feeling gratitude for what is good in your life, supporting brain chemistry and balance in your body with regular meals that emphasize protein, fruit, veggies, raw nuts and seeds. B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D and fish oil are all nutrients shown to impact on mood. Sometimes getting outside of ourselves and tuning into others can be a welcome distraction from our self. For anxiety that is very acute I would suggest GABA dosed gradually throughout the day or no more than 750 mg twice daily. GABA cannot be taken in conjunction with benzodiazepines.
Personal favourites of mine for gifts that cost nothing or very little include backrubs, offering to babysit, fix something, make supper or frame a special photograph. They mean as much or more than anything money can buy. Children often want our attention as much as any thing money can buy, so being silly, playing a game, going bowling, street hockey or a dance party will linger in a child's mind longer than anything.
Kali Simmonds, ND is a doctor of naturopathic medicine who practices in Charlottetown. The information provided is not intended to diagnose or substitute the advice of your healthcare professional. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes. She welcomes questions for this column, which is published every second Tuesday in The Guardian. She can be reached by mail at 34 Queen St., Charlottetown, C1A 4A3 or by email at kali@drkalisimmonds.com.
