Surviving Christmas with a Food Intolerance

The Festive Season is all about enjoying good food and spending time with your nearest and dearest. However, if you have a food intolerance it may be a little bit trickier as you can’t enjoy the traditional turkey with all the trimmings, especially if you are intolerant to turkey! Do you remember those awful cramps last year after indulging yourself at Christmas dinner? This may be because you have a turkey intolerance, but don’t worry we are here to help! We have put together a guide on How to Survive Christmas with a turkey intolerance. If you have an intolerance to turkey, your digestive system has a difficult time digesting the proteins found in the poultry. Almost everything that you eat and drink requires certain enzymes to break down sugars and proteins in order to be absorbed by the body. If your body lacks the necessary enzyme to digest the proteins in turkey, inflammation and swelling can develop. Symptoms of a turkey intolerance include:

• Stomach pain/cramps.
• Gas
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Christmas is such an indulgent time, and we know how hard it is to say no to that second or third mince pie (“It is Christmas after all”), so no wonder we sometimes feel sluggish. We have put together some top tips on how to avoid that dodgy tummy this Christmas.

1. Be Prepared

Whether you have a turkey or gluten intolerance, make you sure you stock on replacements from the ‘FREE FROM’ aisle or buy a roast chicken for the special day instead so that you don’t feel left out and end up reaching for the turkey that you know you will pay for later. The large supermarkets usually stock gluten and dairy alternatives for all your Christmas favourites like mince pies and Christmas puds! Carry a few with you when you go visiting!

2. Know Your Limits

Sometimes with a food intolerance your body can handle a small bit of the food in question. But, listen to your body and know when enough is enough. Don’t give in to that second helping of turkey!

3. Communicate

Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to tell your friends or family that you have a food intolerance. Be open and honest and make them aware of your dietary requirements. Remember they love you so they will be happy to cater for you and make you smile at Christmas!

4. Concentrate on other things!

Don’t focus on the food, think of all the other wonderful aspects of Christmas! Fill your home with beautiful scented candles and Christmassy displays to look at. If you do experience any of the symptoms mentioned above we would advise you to consult a professional or order an Intolerance Test now and take your first step to living a healthier lifestyle. We hope that this has helped you focus on the positives so that you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!