How To Eat During The Holidays

Our sweet holidays begin with Halloween candy and slide into Thanksgiving pie season. Some of us suffer from digestive issues, constipation, acid reflux, or even heartburn. Holidays bring on stressors so we might overindulge, and once we start with fatty foods, it's hard to put them down. Traveling can offset our dietary plans with sweet treats. Many foods are high in saturated fats and sugars tearing up our digestive system and causing bloating and gas. Dr. Julie Gatza is the co-founder of the Florida Wellness Institute and she has some suggestions regarding how to eat during the holidays. One of them is to give your food a background check. Make sure whatever you are consuming is the finest you can purchase or grow.

Only eat when you're hungry
Many people eat when they're not even hungry. They eat because they think they should eat: it's lunchtime. Or, they have to eat because they're on a schedule at work. Forced eating starts early, with our kids. We make them sit down and eat with us. But if we were living in Nature, foraging for our food, we would eat only when we were hungry. When your body is hungry for the plainest of foods, it's telling you that it's ready to manufacture the enzymes for proper digestion. And don't mistake thirst for hunger -- try water first.

Use spices and natural digestive aids to help break down what you eat. Certain cultures add ginger to their food, which is super for digestion. Others add hot peppers --a stimulant to the digestive tract which helps secret more hydrochloric acid. There are cultures that use a lot of turmerics, which is good for digestion. There are other aperitifs that get the digestive enzymes flowing. Some people add pineapple to their meat dishes to help break it down and you can always use formulated enzyme supplements, like AbsorbAid.

As we slowly approach November, some people are getting ready for their Thanksgiving festivities. From hosting at their place, going to a local family member's home, or traveling out of town. Thanksgiving weekend gives us time to embrace our families and be thankful for what we have. One thing with my family that I truly enjoyed growing up, is that we would take family vacations for Thanksgiving. Not every year, but those years we were on trips were some of my favorite holiday memories. It was not about the food, but the time we all got to spend with each other. Our top travel idea was taking a family cruise during Thanksgiving weekend. It is one of the coolest memories I have of growing up.

I slowly learned during these trips while meeting new people, tons of families took Thanksgiving weekend as their yearly family vacation as well. From cruises to road trips to local staycations, it is the best time to spend with some of your favorite loved ones. The Travel knows how popular Thanksgiving travel can be, so they came up with the best places to travel for Thanksgiving weekend. That's right, check out the BEST places to travel and start finalizing those Thanksgiving travel plans. If you have never taken a family trip for Thanksgiving, then I HIGHLY recommend you check this list out and start the search. Start small if you want, because one North Carolina city that's just a drive away made the top 10! See the full list below.

Ever been to New Hampshire? I haven't, but one New Hampshire city made its way to No. 10 for Thanksgiving weekend travel. Canterbury, New Hampshire is known as one of the state's most beautiful towns! Thanksgiving weekend, or any time of the fall, is best to visit Canterbury because of the beautiful colors of leaves that are around town. While you're in Canterbury, you can also head to the famous Shaker Village. This historic settlement is home to old structures, artisan makers, and tons of other festive events best to enjoy during the fall weather.

I would have been shocked if somewhere in Colorado did not make this list. Not sure why, because I have never been to the state but it just gives me the feeling of a great place to visit in the fall. Located west of Denver, is Georgetown, home to plenty of rich history. Check out beautiful lake views from the highway, old fashioned Victorian styled buildings, and antique shops that will make your heart stop. This small town will help you enjoy some real bonding time for Thanksgiving weekend.

Now we're going all the way up to the north east, it's Lake Placid in New York. New York is one of those states with so much to offer depending on what part you may travel to, which makes it even better. Lake Placid is the perfect little escape destination in the Adirondack Mountains. While you're visiting and relaxing, take part of the town's annual 5K Turkey Trot and have a little exercise with the family. 

Here goes Colorado again, told you it's one of those places that just seem so perfect for the fall. If you love the outdoors, then we've got another cool spot on the list for you to visit. If you were ever thinking about visiting the Rocky Mountains National Park, then this is the perfect starting destination for your outdoor fun. Enjoy the outdoors, fresh air, and family time on Thanksgiving weekend in Estes Park.

Okay, now we're switching it up just a little bit. We're heading to Massachusetts. Again, another state that I have never been too but sounds like a cool fall destination spot for sure. Wareham is located in Plymouth County and well known for its cranberry industry. You read that right, cranberry. Starting late October, they offer visitors the chance to take "Cranberry Bog Tours" while in town. Which means, Thanksgiving weekend while you're enjoying a side of cranberry sauce then a bog tour would be perfect for you.

You didn't think New York City wouldn't be on the list, now did you? Of course, home to the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, of course it's one of the places you should spend Thanksgiving weekend. Besides the parade, enjoy all of the other things that New York City has to offer you. From a stroll in Central Park to all of the great food opportunities, New York City is one of the places that you could probably enjoy a visit at any point in the year.

Here we go North Carolina! Asheville made it as the No. 4 destination to spend Thanksgiving weekend. If you have ever been to Asheville, then you probably guessed this town before you even made it this far into the list. From the beautiful fall foliage to the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, why wouldn't you want to visit Asheville during the fall. Thanksgiving weekend gives you the chance to eat good buffet food and shop til you drop during all of the Black Friday deals. What's better than that?

Arizona is another one of those states that just seem perfect for fall to me, not sure why but I can see it! Scottsdale has tons of activities that you and the family could enjoy during a Thanksgiving weekend trip. From hiking mountains to visiting famous parks, there are so many outdoor activities to participate in. Cook in your rental spot or enjoy a buffet at one of the many restaurants and resorts that remain open on Thanksgiving Day.

California for Thanksgiving, why not!? If you more so enjoy the shopping that comes with Black Friday, then San Francisco might be the perfect spot for you to take a trip. Of course there is great food options in San Francisco, its the thrill of the Black Friday shopping that makes the city fun. Tons of local malls and stores that offer some of the best deals there are. Make sure you're wearing your comfy sneakers, cause you're really going to shop til you drop!

Coming in at No. 1 is one Wyoming city, Jackson Hole! Calling all nature lovers, because you will truly LOVE Jackson Hole. Guess that means this is the one destination not for me. Although Jackson Hole seems beautiful year round, during the fall the beautiful colors really POP! Enjoy the mountains, wildlife, and outdoor adventures such as snowboarding, skiing, and more.