According to a new survey, Americans are dreading what their favorite holiday foods and drinks will do to their gut. The poll of 2,000 U.S. adults found that 72% of people look forward to the food around the holiday season, but 65% admit it’s the worst time of year for their diet.

During the holiday season, 75% find themselves eating more often throughout the day and 76% find their eating habits also changing more often throughout the day than any other time of year. 

Over half (51%) said they “often” or “always” feel like they ate too much food during the holidays. As a result, many are left with occasional constipation (56%), indigestion (49%) and acid reflux (45%).

In the study conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by naturally-based laxative brand Prunelax, 70% of respondents said digestive problems happen more frequently during the holiday season and 69% said it happens more while traveling during that period.

Surprisingly, turkey was the top culprit (44%) followed by pecan pie (41%) and potatoes (39%) to blame for people’s occasional constipation. It was also caused by favorite holiday beverages, like chocolate milk (45%), non-alcoholic eggnog (38%) and hot cocoa (38%).

Holidays

Michelle Harris (Courtesy of Alive and Well)

“During this time of year, we’re eating a lot of foods that we don’t normally eat,”  wellness and lifestyle expert Michelle Harris, who also is the host of Alive & Well with Michelle Harris on the USA Today network, tells L.A. Weekly. “And we’re also eating a little bit more than usual. There are certain foods that we’re not used to indulging in like non-alcoholic eggnog or pecan pie — even hot cocoa — that can give us digestive distress and cause occasional constipation. And when you combine that with holiday travel and schedule changes, it doesn’t always agree with a lot of people. Stress and sitting down to that big turkey dinner can have an effect.” 

The survey also found two-thirds (67%) of Americans are concerned about holiday meals causing them digestive discomfort. Seven in 10 said they spend more time in the bathroom during the holiday season than any other time of year, thanks to that discomfort.

To help avoid it, 51% will frequently take some sort of aid before eating: drinking more water (53%), taking acid reflux medication (47%) or eating more fiber (45%). A quarter (27%) also will try naturally based laxatives.

“Try to minimize the stress of holiday travel and those foods,” says Harris, who lives a plant-based lifestyle. “Include fiber and more water and be aware of not overeating. I try to adhere to a healthy diet year-round, so I’m always mindful of what I’m eating over the holidays. My one weakness is chocolate, so I try to steer clear of the sugar-loaded versions and stick to dark chocolate, and maintain my exercise routine and stay hydrated.

“Pumpkin is very high in fiber, especially if you combine it with nuts and dried fruits,” says Harris. “But if you’re going to have the traditional crusty pumpkin pie, there’s eggs, sugar, condensed milk and high-fat content.   You’re better off eating a pumpkin loaf.”

Holidays

On the subject of stress, the relationship between gut and mental health is something German Dr. Emeran Mayer has written about extensively. His research focuses on the role of how gut microbiota-brain interactions affect emotion regulation, chronic visceral pain, food addiction and obesity, cognitive decline, and autism spectrum disorders. His theory is that chronic intestinal inflammation can alter the structure and function of the brain, particularly in sensory and emotion-regulating regions. So whether the chicken or the egg came first, the gut-mind-body connection is real. 

 

TOP 10 FOODS THAT CAN CAUSE OCCASIONAL CONSTIPATION

Turkey – 44%

Pecan pie – 41%

Potatoes – 39%

Chocolate – 33%

Pumpkin pie – 31%

Fudge – 23%

Sugary candies – 18%

Stuffing – 13%

Ham – 9%

Rack of lamb – 8%

 

TOP 10 BEVERAGES THAT CAN CAUSE OCCASIONAL CONSTIPATION

Chocolate milk – 45%

Non-alcoholic eggnog – 38%

Hot cocoa/hot chocolate – 38%

Espresso martinis – 32%

Alcoholic eggnog – 30%

Peppermint martinis – 26%

Mochas – 13%

Peppermint mochas – 12%

Gingerbread lattes – 9%

Brown ales – 7%

 

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by Prunelax between Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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