Avoid Constipation From Overeating During the Holidays

Avoid Constipation From Overeating During the Holidays
The holidays are a festive time of year that typically involve eating more than usual. While it’s fun to enjoy all of the goodies the holiday season has to offer, overeating can have adverse effects on our bodies, especially for our children. Overeating can cause constipation, particularly during the holidays when kids are consuming more fat, sugar, and carbohydrates than usual. Here are some steps you can take to help prevent and relieve your child’s constipation.

Consume Balanced Meals

The holiday season generally means more access to carbs and sugar. Kids and adults alike love to delight in holiday food and tend to deprioritize healthy eating practices. To help prevent constipation for your children, balance out all of this holiday eating by serving them nutritious meals as well. Ensure non-holiday related meals include foods that represent a balance from leafy greens to protein to fruit. And, don’t forget fiber! Dietary fiber is essential to keep your kids’ bowels moving. In addition, consider healthy alternatives to some holiday foods. There are endless delicious recipes out there just waiting for you to explore! Turn healthy eating into a bonding experience with your children and encourage them to help you prepare healthy meals. Here are four additional ways to help keep your kids healthy - and bowels moving - during the holidays.

Practice Moderation

It is difficult to be nutritionally disciplined during the holidays. This isn’t only challenging for adults, but also for kids. Modeling moderation helps your kids do the same. Explain to them the importance of appropriate serving sizes and why it’s important to consume healthy food as well as treats. Set a goal with them to strike a balance during the holidays. This way, when they do indulge in treats they are extra special!

Put Food Away

Speaking of moderation, when cookies, candies, and other types of goodies are left out, it can be too tempting for kids (and adults!) to grab one…then another…and another! Before they realize it, your kids have eaten five cookies and are feeling poorly. Try to avoid leaving treats out when not serving them to guests. When hosting a party, a time when treats are everywhere, help your child practice moderation by distracting them with age appropriate ways to help you during the party. Perhaps they can pass out (healthier) hors d'oeuvres, or ask guests if they need anything periodically. If distraction isn’t feasible, tell them they need your permission before eating a sweet treat.

Keep Kids Hydrated

With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated. Proper water intake is an essential part of preventing and relieving constipation. Provide a dedicated water bottle for your kid(s) and write their name on it. Be sure to keep it filled and make sure your child has it with them at school and during holiday shopping outings.

Maintain a Consistent Fitness Routine

The holiday season can sometimes coincide with poor weather, which inevitably leads to a lot of time indoors. The pandemic also means kids are confined to the house more than usual. This makes it more important than ever to maintain a fitness routine. Moving the body moves the bowels, too! Make fitness as fun as possible to help ensure your kiddo maintains a consistent exercise regime. Fitness is also a great bonding experience, whether it is family walks, doing a YouTube exercise video together, playing some safe indoor sports, or doing calisthenics like jumping jacks and sit-ups! If dancing is your thing, get your kids moving with these playlists from our blog post ‘The Best Ways to Get Your Kids and Their Bowels Moving’!

DocuSol® Kids Can Help!

Sometimes, despite all the best efforts with nutrition, hydration, and exercise, kids need a little help relieving constipation. DocuSol® Kids is a first-of-its-kind, mini enema with a non-irritating formula that functions as a stool-softening hyperosmotic laxative by drawing water into the bowel from surrounding body tissues, replicating a normal bowel movement. This unique formulation provides children ages 2–12 fast, predictable relief of constipation within 2 – 15 minutes. DocuSol® Kids was designed for easy use at home. The DocuSol® Kids tube is designed to offer a minimally invasive, soft, and flexible tip, avoiding any scratching or irritation to the skin. Just a 5-milliliter tube delivering 100mg of docusate sodium, the medication provides fast relief in just a few, easy steps! Learn more about DocuSol® Kids on our website, including where to buy, doctor tips, family resources, and frequently asked questions. Disclaimer: The material contained is for reference purposes only. Alliance Labs, LLC, and Summit Pharmaceuticals do not assume responsibility for patient care. Consult a physician prior to use. Copyright 2020 Summit Pharmaceuticals and Alliance Labs, LLC.