A Healthier Christmas – Eating Tips & Tricks

Christmas Healthy Eating is about Balance

A Healthier approach to Christmas is possible. Although the festive season is a time for celebration and delicious food it can be done mindfully. The combination of indulgence, weather, and seasonal stress can leave you feeling sluggish or bloated. Thankfully, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers simple and practical tips to keep you feeling your best during the holidays. Julia shares her Christmas Healthy Eating & Drinking Tips.

Tips & Tricks from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

In TCM, balance is key. The digestive system, often referred to as the body’s fire, transforms food into energy. Overeating, stress, or excess alcohol can weaken this fire, causing bloating, indigestion, and fatigue.

In Chinese medicine, stress is seen as an imbalance of the Liver Qi. When the Liver Qi is stagnant, it can lead to feelings of frustration, irritability, and even physical symptoms like bloating and constipation. Managing holiday stress is just as important as choosing nourishing foods to keep your body and mind in harmony.

A Healthier Christmas – Food and Drink

• Mindful Eating

Enjoy festive meals in moderation. Eat smaller portions, chew thoroughly, and savour each bite to support your digestion.

• Smart Hydration

Drink 250-500ml of water upon waking to kickstart digestion.

Sip water 20–30 minutes before meals to prep your digestive system, avoiding drinking too much during meals, as it can dilute digestive juices.

Wait 1 hour after eating before drinking more water to allow your body time to process the meal.

• Digestive Drinks

Boost digestion with these TCM-inspired options:

Lemon in Warm Water: Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a cup of warm water. Drink it in the morning.

Apple Cider Vinegar Water: Mix 1 tbsp ACV with warm water 30mins before meals.

Ginger Lemon Tea: Boil fresh ginger slices, add lemon juice and honey.

Peppermint & Fennel Tea: Steep fresh peppermint leaves and fennel seeds. Drink before or after meals to alleviate digestive discomfort.

• Alcohol – drinking smarter

Alcohol weakens the Qi and can disrupt digestion. Ideally, only drink in small amounts and aim to consume alcohol around midday or early evening, when your digestive system is most active. Avoid drinking alcohol late at night, as it can interfere with sleep and digestion.

• Cooling Foods for the Aussie Summer

Combat heat with hydrating, cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, leafy greens including mint, coconut, and berries. End meals with a refreshing fruit platter to balance heavier dishes.

A Healthier Christmas – Movement & Relaxation

• Move After Meals

Take a 10-15 minute walk after eating to support digestion and circulate Qi. Get the family involved for fun and relaxation—kids on bikes, a stroll in the sunshine—it all helps digestion and improves sleep.

• Take Time to Relax

In TCM, stress is seen as one of the major causes of illness, and it can interfere with digestion. Taking time each day to relax and unwind is essential. Try simple stress-relief exercises like deep breathing, yoga, or a short walk after a meal to help calm your mind and body.

• Simple Exercises for stress relief and aiding digestion

Take few minutes each day to stretch and move can make a big difference to your digestion and overall energy. Here are some simple exercises that can be done in under 5 minutes:

• Seated Twist. Stimulates the digestive system and relieves tension in the back. Sit on a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Inhale, and as you exhale, twist your torso to the right, placing your left hand on the outside of your right knee. Hold for 10-15 seconds, then repeat on the other side.
• Cat-Cow Stretch. This stretch stimulates the abdominal organs, promoting healthy digestion and back pain relief.
• Abdominal Massage. This movement mimics the natural motion of the digestive system and can help alleviate bloating and discomfort. Place your hands on your lower abdomen and gently massage in a clockwise direction.

Acupressure Support at Christmas

Acupressure can offer quick relief for digestive issues and stress, making it a great tool to use during the busy holiday season. When applying acupressure – hold the point for 1-3 mins, and apply pressure that feels good for you. You can also do acupressure on kids. Here are some key acupressure points:

• Stomach 36 (ST36): Located about four finger widths below the kneecap, on the outside of the shinbone. This point helps improve digestion and boosts energy. Apply gentle pressure to this point for 30-60 seconds on each leg.
• Pericardium 6 (PC6): Located on the inner forearm, two finger widths above the wrist crease. This point calms the stomach and relieves nausea. Apply gentle pressure to this point for 1-2 minutes.
• Liver 3 (LV3): Located on the top of the foot, between the first and second toes. It helps relieve stress and supports the smooth flow of Liver Qi, which is important for digestion. Apply pressure to this point for 1-2 minutes on each foot.

Save and share these Christmas Healthy Eating Tips!

The holiday season can be both joyful and overwhelming, but with a little help from Traditional Chinese Medicine, you can maintain balance, support digestion, and manage stress. By incorporating mindful eating, staying hydrated with digestive drinks, eating cooling foods, practicing acupressure, and walking after meals, you’ll set yourself up for a healthy and energized Christmas. Don’t forget to enjoy the season in moderation, taking time to care for both your body and mind.