The mixture of condiments and dressings, generous portions of food, and excessive alcohol intake often cause terrible indigestion and indigestion during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Dr. Adelina Lozano, gastroenterologist of our clinic, gives us valuable recommendations to avoid stomach discomfort during these dates.

• Plan your Christmas dinner. Consider that it is not convenient to combine many fats, such as pork with salad, mayonnaise, and chocolate milk, or eat panettone with butter. Fats are digested slowly and favor gastroesophageal reflux, and abdominal distension, among other discomforts that will leave an unpleasant memory of Christmas Eve dinner.
• Avoid excess carbohydrates. Rice, panettone, cookies, sodas, and artificial juices increase blood sugar levels and worsen fatty liver. People with diabetes should avoid eating these foods to keep their condition under control.
• Find the balance between meats and salads. For example, pair turkey or pork with a salad dressed with extra virgin olive oil or any dressing without mayonnaise. For a special touch, you can add fresh fruit to your salad.
• Serve small portions of food. This way, you will not get full, you will be able to prevent reflux conditions and you will have a better digestion. Also, too much fatty foods and mixing them can cause diarrhea.
• Accompany dinner with an infusion. This drink helps digestion. Do not sweeten it with sugar; do it with a sweetener or drink it alone. Infusions relieve abdominal distension and gas.
• During celebrations, water is the best drink. If you want a soft drink, drink lemonade sweetened with sweetener, and avoid sodas and sweetened drinks such as artificial fruit juices.
• Leave chocolate milk (preferably cocoa in its preparation) for breakfast on December 25 or January 1. Do not exaggerate with panettone. It contains many calories; eat small portions.

Remember:

Taking these recommendations into account will allow you to have a nice holiday season without any type of stomach discomfort. In addition, it will help you maintain a healthy weight, since many people tend to gain up to 2 kilos during the holidays.

Dr. Adelina Lozano
Gastroenterologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma