How to Support Digestion When You’re Eating Differently Over Christmas

Christmas is one of the few times of year when routines genuinely shift. Meals are richer, timings are irregular, and food is often eaten later, faster, and in larger quantities than usual. This isn’t a problem, it’s part of the season, but it does ask more of your digestive system than normal.

When digestion struggles at this time of year, people often assume it’s because they’ve “overdone it.” In reality, it’s usually because the body hasn’t been given the support it needs to process heavier foods efficiently. Understanding how digestion works and how to gently support it, can make the difference between enjoying Christmas and feeling uncomfortable for days afterwards.

Why Digestion Feels Harder at Christmas

Digestion relies on preparation. Your stomach needs adequate acid to break down protein, your liver and gallbladder need to release bile to digest fats, and your gut needs time and rhythm to move food through efficiently.

During Christmas, several things disrupt this process:

• Eating richer, fattier meals that require more bile
  
• Snacking between meals, which reduces digestive efficiency
  
• Eating quickly or while stressed or distracted
  
• Drinking alcohol, which diverts digestive energy
  

When digestion is under-supported, food sits longer in the gut, leading to bloating, heaviness, reflux, and sluggish bowel movements.

Supporting Digestion Without Changing What You Eat

You don’t need to overhaul your Christmas meals to feel better. Small, supportive habits can make a huge difference:

• Take a few deep breaths before eating to activate the “rest and digest” response
  
• Eat more slowly than usual, especially with rich foods
  
• Include bitter foods where possible (rocket, watercress, lemon) to stimulate bile flow
  
• Finish meals with herbal teas such as peppermint, fennel, or ginger
  

These simple actions support digestion alongside indulgence, rather than working against it.

Reducing Bloating and Heaviness After Meals

If bloating is a common issue, it’s often a sign that digestion is struggling upstream, not that food itself is the problem. Supporting stomach acid, bile flow, and gut motility allows food to move through more efficiently, reducing pressure and discomfort.

A gentle walk after meals, staying upright rather than lying down, and keeping hydration steady throughout the day all help digestion do what it’s designed to do.

Christmas doesn’t have to come with digestive discomfort. By supporting digestion rather than restricting food, you allow your body to enjoy the season without paying for it physically. Small, mindful habits can make indulgence feel nourishing rather than overwhelming.