The holidays are filled with feasts and treats. However, danger can lurk around every party menu. Whether it is from improperly prepared or stored foods, or whether you already have a condition sensitive to dietary changes, holiday eating can take its toll on digestive tracts. To protect your gastrointestinal tract during the holidays, pay attention to what you are eating and how it is prepared. If you already have a condition like irritable bowel syndrome or diabetes, diligence is required to protect your gastrointestinal health.
Salmonella
Salmonellosis is the state of gastrointestinal distress caused by a salmonella infection. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, headache and chills. Undercooked chicken and raw eggs are the main source of salmonella, a bacteria that educes unpleasant and often painful gastrointestinal symptoms. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, salmonella is the most frequent cause of foodborne illness. Undercooked chicken is often to blame, but the salmonella bacteria can live on almost any uncooked or undercooked meat, poultry or seafood item.
Raw cookie dough and cake batter are of special concern during the holidays. As cookies and other sweets fill the holiday landscape, kids especially, enjoy a scoopful of batter or cleaning the beaters from the mixer. Baking mixes and prepackaged cookie doughs now carry warnings to refrain from consuming raw batter and dough products.
Holiday Party Buffets
The holiday buffet is an efficient way to serve several quests quickly. It allows hungry holiday quests to go back for seconds or even thirds of their favorite dishes. However, as foods sit out they run the risk of developing bacteria growth, lack staphylococcus aureus, clostridium prefringens and listeria monocytogenes. When consumed, these foods can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches. The USDA recommends warming trays and coolers for sensitive foods. If these items are not available, foods should be tossed after setting for two hours at room temperature.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
For people with irritable bowel syndrome, navigating the landscape of holiday parties can be difficult. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain and cramps, painful constipation alternating with bouts of diarrhea and even mucus in the stools. Stress, change in the dietary routine and excess fat in the diet can trigger IBS symptoms, and the holidays are filled with both. To minimize symptoms of IBS during the holidays, you need a plan. Plan holiday shopping lists and calendars in advance to minimize stress. Avoid foods which trigger your symptoms at parties. A gracious host or hostess will not be offended if you skip the dessert table.
Diabetes
Diabetics need to pay particular attention to their dietary choices during the holidays, when serving sizes seem to double and sweets are readily available. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, carbohydrates, including sugar, tend to have the most impact on blood glucose levels. Diabetics need to read labels and track their carbohydrate consumption. Signs that a diabetics blood sugar is not under control include thirst, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Complications of uncontrolled diabetes include vision problems, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, elevated risk for stroke and peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damages, especially to feet and legs.
Lactose Intolerance
Cheese balls, eggnog, and milk and cookies may be the foundation of traditional holiday eating, but for people with lactose intolerance, whose body cannot properly digest the sugars found in milk, consuming these foods lead to abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and nausea. To avoid the painful, and potentially embarrassing, effects of lactose intolerance, carefully read all food labels, and ask hosts and hostess about their party menus.
