Valentine’s Day is recognized as a holiday full of love and affection.  It is traditionally celebrated with sentimental cards, flowers, and a romantic meal at a restaurant or prepared at home.

Unfortunately, all these festivities can be easily sabotaged by rich food, too much alcohol, and heavy desserts.  For many people with digestive issues and food intolerances, a Valentine’s meal can become a digestive disaster.

Don’t let this happen to you!

If your plans on February 14th revolve around a starry-eyed meal, focus on delicious tasting, yet tummy-friendly foods to ensure this day of passion does not include any nasty digestive issues.

Choose Wisely

Indigestion can make any social situation miserable, and women are particularly vulnerable to stomach problems. In a published study, scientists found that it took significantly longer for women to digest food than men.

On this couple-friendly holiday, do your best to avoid hard-to-digest foods. For example, acidic foods that include oranges, tomatoes, and grapefruit can be difficult for the body to process and may contribute to symptoms of indigestion.

Also, fried items can go undigested and move through the body too quickly, leading to diarrhea. The opposite may also happen when fried dishes stay in the digestive tract too long, resulting in bloating. So, steer clear of the fried chicken, fried shrimp, onion rings, and similar dishes to better enjoy the evening.

Instead, choose easily digestible items such as omega-rich poached or baked salmon. Since people with digestive disorders often have inflammation in the gut, omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation and thereby, improve digestion.

For a heartier meal choice, beef stew can be made or ordered in a restaurant in a belly-friendly way. Check to see that the meat is extra-lean and that the broth is made without onions or garlic to avert bloating, gas, or diarrhea.

The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Food

Chocolate is the absolute definitive symbol for Valentine’s Day. In fact, people spend $1.8 billion on chocolate and candy during this romantic holiday.

Some of the health benefits of chocolate are well known, such as supporting heart health. But many people are unaware that dark chocolate actually has the ability to nourish the body’s beneficial gut bacteria.

Dark chocolate contains fiber that passes undigested through the digestive tract to the large intestine where Probiotics (the good guys) use it to grow their populations.

There is published evidence that indicates this all-time favorite delicacy can support gut health.

• Individuals who consumed cocoa experienced significant increases in their gut populations of beneficial Probiotics

• Good bacteria in the gut actually breaks down and ferments dark chocolate into anti-inflammatory compounds that benefit digestive health

Chocolate may just be the perfect dessert for your Valentine’s Day dinner!

Be Prepared

If you are prone to digestive issues, consider daily Probiotics to get your gut ready for Valentine’s Day.  These supplements aid digestion and improve nutrient absorption. Probiotics also help relieve constipation, help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), reduce the symptoms of diarrhea, and support overall gastrointestinal health.

Data reveals that women are more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders than men are, so Probiotics can be especially helpful to them.

And by adding a Probiotic supplement into your daily health regimen, you naturally replenish your gut with billions of beneficial digesting microbes. Start your Probiotic routine now to make your Valentine’s meal ultra-romantic and free of digestive issues.

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