Six Healthy Habits for Avoiding Holiday Hips - Part 1

The holidays are fast approaching and with them family, friends and feasts abound! What a blessing the chance to celebrate is; but don’t let it be a curse to your health (and waistline!). As we give thanks and deck the halls, let’s remember to follow a few simple rules to avoid undoing all the healthy decision making we do the other 10 months of the year. Let’s keep “losing the holiday weight” off our resolution list this January!

Here are 6 Healthy Habits to Avoid Holiday Hips this (and every) year! Bon Appetit! 

1. Chew Your Food 

Chewing your food helps your body in many ways!

At the risk of sounding like your mother, this one is more important than keeping your elbows off the table. And chewing your food thoroughly does more than save you from choking.

Chewing your food will help with your digestion. Breaking down the food into smaller particles reduces the stress put on your esophagus, helps the stomach metabolize the food, and makes it easier for your intestines to absorb the available nutrients. Not to mention that the longer food stays in your mouth during the mastication (fancy word for chewing) process, the more saliva is produced which contains digestive enzymes. In short, thorough chewing leads to more productive and gentle digestion.

Chewing also helps to decrease the amount of angry bacteria in your intestine. Without getting to graphic about the process, smaller food particles can reduce instances of gas and bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, and other digestive distress that no one wants during the holiday season (or any time of the year!).

To top it off, mastering munching will help you maintain a healthy weight.  Being conscious of completely chewing your food will slow down your eating speed, causing you to feel full sooner and ultimately eat smaller portions.

Being healthy this holiday season doesn’t have to stop the party. Being mindful of what you do and how you eat will help you keep your health and hips in check this winter.  This is only Tip #1 – Check back soon for the rest of our Healthy Habits for Avoiding Holiday Hips!

Dr. Dan Turo is the owner and chiropractor of Turo Family Chiropractic located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA. Follow him on facebook and twitter.