Holiday Gut Prep & Blood Sugar Balance

Dec 4

How to Support Digestion & Steady Energy During the Season of Comfort Foods

The holidays bring joy, connection, and some of the most comforting meals of the year. But they can also place extra stress on your gut and blood sugar — leading to bloating, fatigue, cravings, and that post-meal crash nearly everyone knows too well.

Understanding a few simple science-backed strategies can help you enjoy holiday meals and feel your best afterward. Below, we share gut-supportive habits, targeted supplements, and powerful Simply Midland services to help you stay balanced all season long.

Why Your Gut Needs Extra Support During the Holidays

Bigger portions, richer foods, and more frequent meals put extra strain on digestion. When your gut gets overwhelmed, you might notice:

Bloating or fullness after eating
Slower digestion
Gas or discomfort
Cravings or unstable appetite
Post-meal fatigue

The gut works best when stomach acid, digestive enzymes, bile, and gut motility are all functioning optimally. Big or rich meals require more of these digestive secretions, and stress or overeating can reduce them — making digestion less efficient.

A supported gut helps break down food effectively, absorb nutrients, and keep inflammation in check — all essential for staying energized throughout the busiest time of year.

How to Improve Digestion Before Big Meals

1. Slow down & activate “rest and digest” mode

Your digestive organs are controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system — the “rest and digest” branch that increases stomach acid, digestive enzymes, bile flow, and blood supply to the gut so your body can break down and absorb food efficiently.

But if you begin a meal while stressed or rushed, you shift into fight-or-flight mode. This raises cortisol and decreases digestive secretions, making it harder for your stomach to break down food — often leading to bloating or heaviness afterward.

Try this:
Take 3–5 slow, deep breaths before eating. This gently shifts your body into parasympathetic “rest and digest” mode so your stomach can do its job more efficiently.

2. Chew more than you think you need

Chewing sends signals to your brain — called cephalic phase digestion — triggering your stomach to release acid and your pancreas to release enzymes. This step is critical for breaking food into smaller, digestible pieces. Aim for slower, intentional bites so your stomach doesn’t have to “catch up” later.

3. Add natural digestive boosters

Ginger tea: stimulates gastric motility and reduces indigestion
Warm lemon water: gently wakes up digestive secretions
Digestive bitters: increase stomach acid and bile flow

These increase enzyme production and help prepare your stomach for heavier meals.

Enzymes, Probiotics & Other Digestion Hacks

Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes help break down macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates). During the holidays — when meals are richer and larger — your pancreas may not release enough enzymes to keep up.

Supplementing with a broad-spectrum enzyme can:

Reduce bloating
Prevent gas
Support nutrient absorption
Improve post-meal comfort

Probiotics

A balanced microbiome helps regulate inflammation, motility, and nutrient absorption — all essential during heavier eating days.

Best sources:

Fermented veggies
Yogurt/kefir
High-quality probiotic supplements

Other Digestion Hacks

Don’t lie down immediately after eating, as it slows digestion and can allow stomach acid to move upward into the esophagus, making indigestion, bloating, and heartburn more likely.
Stay hydrated throughout the day, your digestive tract relies on water to move food efficiently.
Walk for 10 minutes after meals to increase glucose uptake and stimulate gut motility.
Limit ice-cold drinks with meals, as they can slow digestion and enzyme activity.

**Shop digestion support supplements in-store at Simply!

Avoiding Energy Crashes & Cravings During the Holidays

Holiday foods often cause rapid blood sugar spikes. When blood sugar rises quickly, your pancreas pumps out a large amount of insulin to bring it back down — often dropping it too low.

This leads to:

Fatigue
Mood dips
Cravings
The classic “food coma” feeling

Stable blood sugar means stable energy, better mood, and fewer cravings.

The Best Foods & Habits to Stabilize Blood Sugar

1. Pair carbs with protein and healthy fats

Protein and fat slow down how quickly glucose enters the bloodstream. This keeps blood sugar steadier and energy more consistent. Try pairing:

Potatoes with chicken or turkey
Dessert with nuts
Rolls with butter or olive oil

2. Choose high-fiber foods

Fiber slows carbohydrate absorption and supports glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone involved in appetite regulation.

Great holiday fiber options:

Green beans
Roasted vegetables
Salad mixes
Lentil or bean dishes

3. Don’t skip meals, and be sure to move after

Skipping meals may cause you to overeat later and spike blood sugar more dramatically. Balanced meals throughout the day keep your metabolism steady.

Walking helps your muscles pull glucose from the bloodstream without requiring extra insulin — one of the most effective natural blood sugar stabilizers.

Service Highlight: NAD⁺ Therapy for Energy & Metabolism

NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is essential for turning food into energy (ATP). Levels naturally decline with age and stress — both common during the holidays.

Why NAD⁺ Matters:

Supports mitochondrial energy production
Enhances insulin sensitivity
Reduces cravings
Improves cognitive function
Helps the body recover from sugar, alcohol, and inflammation

Perfect for navigating a busy holiday season! Book an appointment for NAD injections and/or IVs today!

Enjoy Your Holidays Without the Discomfort

A little intentional gut prep and blood sugar support can make a dramatic difference in how you feel during the holidays. With simple daily habits and targeted therapies like NAD⁺, you can savor every bite — without sacrificing your comfort or your energy.

If you’d like help choosing supplements or scheduling the right IV therapy for your holiday season, our team at Simply Midland is here to support you!

***Don’t Forget To Check Out Our Winter Specials, Available December, January, and February!