Choosing Better Serving Sizes

It’s the holiday season again. With that comes those “holiday stomachs” that are quite common with anyone you talk with. However, as a patient with liver issues, the holidays can be a bit more bothersome. For people with liver issues, already having sensitive digestion issues, adding the holidays meals rich in fats, salts, and grease can be harmful to your system.

For myself, I splurge during these holidays, I have a hard time telling myself “no” to amazing thick gravy, or sweet, sweet pies made by grandma. But what I try to do is enjoy these foods in moderation.

How I make healthier choices

As much as I would love to “pig out”, I limit the serving size, because I know I will pay for it later with bad indigestion, gas, bloating, and even edema in my legs from all the salt. If you are the cook, reduce the amount of salts and fats that you add to recipes. Your guests will not mind seeing a salt shaker on the table and adding their own to taste.

Also, make sure that during these meals, you drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages, as alcohol is extremely harmful for our struggling. I buy apple cider to toast with my family. I put in a cute wine glass and no one knows the difference. You do not want to harm your liver anymore by being foolish and drinking alcoholic beverages during the holidays (or anytime, for that matter).

Another tip: Add more vegetables to the plate to add color and character. We all know that we tend to eat better when we offer a great presentation of food. Create your own goodness when serving up your helpings.

In my view, don’t stop enjoying things you like during the holidays, just learn to manage the portion sizes better, and control the amount bad things put into recipes.

Wishing you all a very happy holiday season.