5 ways to take care of your microbiome these holidays

Have your holidays started? How is everything going? ??

If so, or if you are still planning your vacation time, let me help you with some ideas to do this season a perfect time for wellbeing

And let me reintroduce you some of our best friends: our microbes

As I mentioned previously, I went into the microbiome topic during the pandemic, not only because in that episode in our lives was also an explosion of the microbiome studies, but also because I had to deal with a weird condition for almost a decade, and it was in those days when I met an amazing woman who explain to me the huge role that our microbiome plays in our health among other things, that I solved the "mistery" ??

Our microbes, as Michael Pollan wrote are one of our best friends, instead of our enemies. So they need from us to provide a great care, instead of trying killing them ??

Did you know 90% of us are microbes and just 10% human cells? ??

So, I encourage you to abandon this crazy idea to eliminate, and rather, to take care of them

Are you ready? Take some notes if you want ??

1. AVOID ULTRAPROCESSED FOODS. Have you wonder why some people get sick during holidays? ??

Maybe they just can′t relax as some people say, but it is not only psychological thing. We use to blame for all our maladies to STRESS. But, as I learned, there are several types of stress, and most of the times, there are some other aspects involved, for instance ALL THE JUNK FOOD you eat during holidays. In fact, as Dr Mark Hyman noted,

There is no such thing as 'junk food', it is junk or it is food

In the case of our gut bacteria, what ultraprocessed or junk food does, is to feed bad bacteria. So, if you want to keep your gut microbiome healthy, stay away from those things ?

2. EAT FOOD, NOT TO MUCH, MOSTLY PLANTS.

This is a another great quote of Michael Pollan. In regards to the first tip, another great way to keep your microbiome healthy is TO FEED GOOD BACTERIA IN YOUR GUT. There is no better thing to do this than giving them the proper nutrition

Did you know that fiber, actually is not food for you but rather for your gut bacteria? ??

No matter where you go, choose fruits or a salad instead of that junk ??

3. If possible PREPARE YOUR OWN FOOD.

I know this is a controversial topic, and I do not want to blame anyone, but the truth is not all the restaurants have a high quality standards and some food might be contaminated. If you go to a restaurant, ask the waiter if you can see the kitchen. Some restaurants actually have 'open cuisines′ in order you can see how they prepare your food.

If you want to eat sea food, or even red meat or chicken, it is better to choose well-cooked dishes in order to avoid possible contamination and/or infection ??

4. DON′T TRY TO SAVE MONEY EATING CHEAPER

Another big issue with restaurants, or to eat outside, is that most of them use seed oils to cook. The worst part is they use them over and over. I learned this recently, but it also appeared to me clear when my son has had stomach ache every time we eat out. Yesterday, we realize that seed oils are the culprits.

What seed oils do is to create a PROINFLAMMATORY STATE, where also bad bacteria live and reproduce it ??

So, my suggestion here is if you eat outside, look for places where they choose better ingredients even for cooking

5. And the last one, is TO AVOID SOFT DRINKS AND ALCOHOL.

Yes, these are another great culprits for disease, obesity and neuroinflammation. Soft drinks are full of sugar and artificial flavors that feed the bad bacteria. On the other hand, alcohol, dehydrates you and is neurotoxic for your brain ??

Did you know that our brain also has bacteria? ??

So, if you want to have a healthy holidays I hope you have taken notes ??

I also encourage you to REACH OUT TO ME to learn more about how to keep healthy this season

And maybe we can discuss about what I can offer to your company in order to keep your employees healthier as well

If you don′t know yet, I am a wellness educator and I can help your business too ??

About me

I am Clinical Psychologist, Stress Management Expert, and Health and Corporate Wellness Consultant. I have created a new concept called Functional Mental Health, focusing to identify the root causes of mental health problems.

I am Director of Transforma tu Estres, a firm specialized in Stress Management for companies and individuals. I am also a speaker and instructor of several courses and workshops about Stress Management, Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, Work Life Balance, among others

As Heartmath Certified Practitioner ??, I have been applied this methodology in mi clinical practice as well as offering some talks and workshops

In the past, I worked as Change Management Consultant in several projects helping people to understand and accept technology changes

My book Todo lo que quería saber sobre el estrés de la A a la Z (Spanish version) is available through Amazon Spain