A feast for the eyes and stomach alike, the holiday season sees no shortage of tables swathed with heavy foods. But when you’re living with uterine fibroids, navigating the dinner table during holiday gatherings is much more of a challenge.
After all, not only do you have to avoid foods that are liable to trigger or worsen fibroid pain, but you have to avoid holiday weight gain, which can also make it more difficult to manage your physical symptoms over time.
Thus, if you’re trying to maintain the holiday cheer while crushing your cravings, we have some recommendations …
Enjoying the Feast with Fibroids
From a Christmas ham to grilled burgers and more, many families may find themselves gravitating toward red meats as the staple centerpiece of their family meals during the holiday season — the likes of which are not preferable for those living with uterine fibroids.
Instead, we recommend opting for lighter alternatives: roasted chicken or turkey, as well as baked or grilled fish, are examples of satisfying lean proteins that are not as heavy in fat and estrogen.
Otherwise, as we’ve previously noted in our first diet-related blog post, the key to creating a holiday menu fit for fibroid fighters is to gravitate toward foods that are not only low in estrogen but high in nutrients.
In other words, eat the rainbow! By roasting vegetables, incorporating more fruit plates, or building soups around beans, legumes, and leafy greens, you’re sure to create a satiating meal with a little bit of something for everyone.
The Holiday Happy-Hour
With a sip here and another pour there, who doesn’t like to indulge in their favorite beverage either during or after a holiday meal?
The trick, however, is avoiding alcohol and sugar-heavy soda, both of which are not ideal for those working on managing and mitigating their fibroid symptoms. The good news? There are plenty of fun and creative alternatives that are just as tasty!
For example, green tea is a powerful beverage, known for packing a punch of antioxidants and assisting those in their weight loss journey. And by mixing green tea with ginger, soda water, muddled fruit, or other ingredients, you can create an artistically-crafted mocktail with health benefits to boot.
And if you’re not a fan of green tea, you can also experiment with the various flavors of sugar-free juices, kombucha, flavored water, and more!
Giving Yourself the Gift of Health
The holiday season can feel daunting in more ways than one, but the most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone. Moreover, you’re in control of your body, so why not give yourself the gift of health for the holidays?
If you have further questions about your diet, fibroid symptoms, or what treatments may be right for you, it’s time to contact Duval Vascular & Fibroid Center!
Our team is committed to educating and treating women living with uterine fibroids, and we’re proud to provide expert, one-on-one care in a specialized center. If you’re ready to schedule, call us today at (904) 423-6017!
