Eaten too much? Here’s what will help

First things first: the most effective way to prevent feeling uncomfortably full is by not eating too much. But let’s be honest – this is easier said than done, especially during the festive season. When there are goodies everywhere and your main occupation is eating, you’ll likely end up having a second or third helping, even though your stomach is telling you to stop.

You’ll come to regret this soon, as overeating will often make you feel bloated and uncomfortably full. This is colloquially referred to as a food baby – and it’s a common occurrence in the festive food madness.

Eat slowly, chew a lot and go for a walk

A good old post-dinner walk is a great way to make your stomach feel better. By eating slowly and chewing well, you’re doing a lot to avoid that food baby in the first place. However, if you can’t (or don’t want to) control yourself at the sight of a full table, have gulped down plenty of food already and/or are too full to go for a walk afterwards, you’ll have to find other ways to counteract that bloated feeling.

Foods that help your digestion

As a rule of thumb, foods with bitter substances stimulate digestion because they encourage the production of saliva, gastric juice and bile. They also promote intestinal activity. In other words, they make it easier for your body to break down the food. Try including foods that contain a lot of bitter substances in a meal. How? Chicory, endive or rocket as a side salad, or green vegetables such as chard, Brussels sprouts or red cabbage in your main dish.

Add herbs and spices, as they stimulate your taste buds and, if you choose the right ones, get your digestion going while you’re eating.

Fennel

Fennel contains essential oils, such as anethole, which relax the smooth muscles in the digestive tract and thus have an antispasmodic effect. This promotes the natural movement of the stomach and can reduce bloating. Simply make fennel part of the festive meal or drink a warm fennel tea afterwards.

Anise

Anise also contains anethole and has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. Add anise spice to the food or eat anise aniseed biscuits to give your digestion a boost. It also tastes really good, in my opinion. In many cultures, anise schnapps is a popular digestive aid. As with every liquor, this can be a good way to give your digestion a kick-start if you drink it in moderation. However, a cup of anise tea will also do the trick and is the healthier option.

Caraway

There’s a reason why caraway seeds are an integral part of many heavy meals, such as roasts with fatty sauces or cabbage dishes, which can be a challenge for the stomach and intestines. Add the small seeds to your meal and they can stimulate digestion, as caraway boosts the production of digestive juices. As a result, food is broken down more easily and doesn’t feel quite so heavy in the stomach. At the same time, caraway has an antispasmodic effect, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, and thus reduces bloating.

Ginger

Ginger is an all-rounder. It contains gingerol, which can accelerate gastric emptying. Ginger also has an antispasmodic effect, which helps to relieve flatulence and bloating. It’s versatile, working well as tea, a spice in dishes, a fresh ingredient or a ginger shot.

Dill

Dill also contains essential oils that stimulate digestion, can have an antispasmodic effect and help relax the stomach muscles. Fresh dill goes well with fish dishes, sauces or salads.

Peppermint and camomile

Both plants have a calming effect on the stomach and relax the muscles in the digestive tract. Like the other herbs listed above, they can help to relieve flatulence, promote digestion and thus put an end to that heavy stomach and bloated feeling. Both are best known as tea, but are also suitable as a special ingredient in salads, for example.

Conclusion: long live herbs and spices!

So the best way to eat your festive meal is to chew it slowly during a long walk with several cups of herbal tea ;-) I’m kidding, of course. But do remind yourself to eat slowly and chew well. A post-dinner walk is also a great way to escape the family gathering for a moment. And above all, don’t forget to add the right herbs and spices to your meal. Your digestion will thank you.