Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of family, laughter, warm kitchens, and those inevitable second (and maybe third) helpings of stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and pumpkin pie. It is one of my favorite meals of the year: the aromas, the storytelling, the joy of gathering. Yet… our digestive systems often feel the effects of the celebration in not-so-positive ways.
Over the years, I have seen how patients end up a bit bloated, a little overheated, maybe a tad sleepy after the meal. It is not the feast itself that is the issue. It is how much work our bodies do to turn the feast into nourishment. That is where digestive enzymes can step in and help, especially during this festive season.
Why Thanksgiving Puts a Strain on Digestion
Let us be honest: Thanksgiving is not a light meal. It is a joyous over-celebration of food, of variety, of abundance. The portions are larger, the variety is broader, the pace may be faster, and the emotional energy is high. That combination may mean your digestive system is asked to perform at a higher level than usual.
When food sits undigested, fermentation happens. That can lead to gas, bloating, heaviness, and even that post-meal "food coma" you might blame on turkey tryptophan (though it is usually digestion itself doing the work!). Digestive enzymes provide a little extra help, reducing the burden and letting you enjoy the meal while your system stays calm.
What Are Digestive Enzymes?
Imagine your digestive system as a kitchen where many meals are being cooked at once. Digestive enzymes are the sous-chefs behind the scenes. Enzymes like amylase, protease, lipase, and lactase work together to break down the foods you eat so your body can absorb them.
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Amylase handles carbohydrates (hello, dinner rolls).
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Protease breaks down proteins (turkey, gravy, perhaps extra helpings).
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Lipase works on fats (like those in buttery casseroles and whipped toppings).
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Lactase supports dairy digestion (nice big scoop of ice cream on your pie).
Your body naturally produces these enzymes, but over time or under stress (like holiday travel, late nights, or emotional upswings), enzyme production can lag. When digestion is less efficient, you might feel bloated, heavy, sluggish, or experience more gas than you would like.
The Science Behind Enzymatic Support
When you eat, your body uses enzymes to turn food into nutrients: carbs into sugars, proteins into amino acids, fats into fatty acids. Efficient digestion means better nutrient absorption, less waste, and less leftover "stuff" hanging out in the gut. That means less bloating, less gas, better energy.
When your digestive workload is reduced, your pancreas, stomach lining, and small intestine thank you. Enzyme supplementation has been shown to reduce discomfort after heavy meals and improve nutrient absorption.
My Youth
When I was growing up, Thanksgiving meant a kitchen filled with family, with my grandmother's recipes, the smell of pie, the sound of laughter, the table piled high. Later, it meant that feeling of being "too full," stretched belts, sleepy eyes. As I trained to be a naturopath, I realized that much of that discomfort could have been prevented, not by eating less joyfully, but by supporting digestion.
In my own family now, we still feast (and I encourage you to do the same, to a reasonable degree), but we also bring in a small tradition of digestive support so the memories remain of joy, not of discomfort. That includes being mindful of our serving sizes and using targeted enzymes and probiotic support.
Whole-Body Benefits of Supporting Digestion
Supporting your digestion with enzymes isn't just about the meal. It is about how your whole body functions after.
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Better nutrient absorption: When your gut breaks down food properly, you get the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids you need.
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Less gas and bloating: Undigested food tends to ferment; enzymes help reduce that.
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Improved energy: If you are not expending extra energy inefficiently digesting food, you have more energy left over.
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Support for gut balance: A well-functioning digestive system supports your microbiome, your immune system, and your mood.
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Reduced sensitivity to heavy meals: Over time, better digestion helps you tolerate a broader range of foods with less discomfort.
When abilities like these improve, you might even notice clearer skin, better sleep, less irritability, and an overall lighter sense of being.
Making the Most of Digestive Enzymes This Holiday Season
If you decide to add digestive enzymes to your Thanksgiving toolkit, here are a few practical pointers:
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Take them right before or with meals. Timing matters. They need to be present when food enters the stomach.
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Choose a full-spectrum formula. Use one that supports the breakdown of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and even fiber. See my full line-up below.
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Stay hydrated. Water helps every part of digestion and enzyme function. Try to limit your intake of large amounts of liquid during your meal. It’s best to have drinks before the meal or 2 hours after to avoid diluting your natural enzymes
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Chew well and eat slowly. The more you break food down in your mouth, the less work your stomach and intestines have to do.
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Support your microbiome too. Enzymes + probiotics = better together.
Recommended Products
I have a few different products designed to help maximize your digestive enzymes.
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Gut Health — This is a plant-based digestive enzyme and probiotic combo designed to support the stomach and small intestine. It includes protease, lipase, and amylase, plus key Lactobacillus strains to replenish the microbiome and enhance digestion of cooked or processed foods.
It is ideal if you know you will be indulging in cooked, rich holiday fare and want to give your digestive system a boost. -
Nuzum's Digest — A 100 % plant-based enzyme + probiotic blend with ten active digestive enzymes plus a Lactobacillus acidophilus strain to support intestinal enzyme production.
If you tend to experience gas, indigestion, bloating, or sluggish digestion after larger meals, this product offers enhanced enzyme support, particularly for proteins and carbohydrates. -
Super Digest — A high-potency, broad-spectrum enzyme blend that enhances the body’s ability to break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates before they reach the intestines. It features ten active digestive enzymes, including protease, peptidase, amylase, lipase, bromelain, and papain—all designed to ease the digestive workload from heavier, richer meals.
Taken before eating, it helps your system efficiently process complex foods, reducing the chance of bloating or heaviness afterward. -
Bromelain — A concentrated proteolytic enzyme derived from pineapple that works synergistically with Super Digest to further assist in protein digestion and nutrient absorption. It also offers systemic benefits that help the body manage inflammation and post-meal fatigue.
When taken before a meal, Bromelain supports smoother digestion and helps the body stay comfortable and balanced after eating protein-heavy dishes.
When used together, these four create a robust digestive support system: enzymes to break down food, probiotics to support gut health, and fulvic acid plus SBOs to seed and maintain a balanced microbiome.
Additionally, Digestive Detox can be taken before the meal if you need extra support. The bitters stimulate bile release, pancreatic enzyme release, and enzyme production from the microbiome.
For long-term gut health (not just the big meal), I recommend Ful-Biotic as part of the foundation: when your microbiome is strong, enzyme support is more effective.
Putting It All Together During Thanksgiving
Here is how I encourage my patients (and my own family) to incorporate this support during the holiday season:
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Before your big holiday meal: Take your enzyme-probiotic formula (1-2 each of Gut Health, Nuzum's Digest, Super Digest, and Bromelain) with the first course. Drink water.
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During the meal: Chew slowly, enjoy conversation, and give your body a chance to digest as you go.
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After the meal: If you feel heavy or bloated, keep hydrating gently and take a short walk; light movement helps digestion.
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In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, make sure Ful-Biotic is part of your routine so your microbiome stays supported and ready.
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Over the holiday week, try to include at least one lighter meal (lots of vegetables, lighter fare) so your system gets a breather.
A Thanksgiving Reminder
This year, allow yourself to delight in the feast, to bask in the old stories, to savor each bite. But also remember: your body deserves your care. It is your lifelong partner. When you support digestion, you honour not just this meal but your whole system.
If you find yourself waking up the next day with a heavy belly, a sluggish mood, or that lingering “I-should-not-have-had-that-second-slice” feeling, listen. Your body is telling you it needs a little help. Digestive enzymes and gut support are not about restricting joy; they are about adding freedom: freedom to eat what you love and still feel good after.
Thanksgiving is about gratitude, for family, for food, for the gift of being together. It is about nourishing not only our appetites but our bodies, our systems, our vitality. When we give our digestion the support it needs, especially in a season of abundance, we reinforce the idea that joy and health can go hand in hand.
So this Thanksgiving, raise your fork, share your stories, laugh until your sides hurt. And consider giving your digestive system a helping hand with the right enzymes and gut support. You might find yourself not only remembering the flavors and the fun, but also feeling light, energetic, and ready for dessert without regret.