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I survived Halloween without eating too much candy, but the holidays are only beginning! There are all the Thanksgiving feasts, parties, Christmas dinner and New Year’s celebrations coming up, all centered around food.

Try as I might to eat healthy and avoid over-indulging, sometimes it just becomes too much, but there is good news. New to the Cleveland County Wellness Square (The Well) 210 S. James Garner Ave. are two new classes on healthy eating taught by Registered Dietician Rebecca Lewis.

At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, Lewis is teaching, Holiday Nutrition Hacks: Enjoy the Season without the Guilt.

“Holiday Nutrition Hacks is a class for people who have a difficult time at the holiday season,” Lewis said. “The holidays center around food, especially sweets and desserts that are not considered healthy. Some people may struggle with guilt if you indulge.”

If you find yourself struggling with food choices around the holidays, this class is for you, Lewis said. In this class, Lewis will discuss mindful eating practices, tips to help participants avoid unwanted digestive issues or tiredness after a Thanksgiving feast, and healthier alternatives to favorite holiday foods.

“I’m also going to touch on healthier options for holiday meals,” she said. “I’ll offer some recipes that are delicious while providing a better choice for people focused on improving nutrition.”

During the class, she’ll discuss three healthy holiday recipes, and handouts of these recipes will be provided.

At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, Lewis will present, Heal Your Gut, Nourish Your Body: A Holistic Approach to Digestive Wellness.

“I start this class by talking about common digestive issues like bloating, constipation, diarrhea and indigestion,” she said. “I will focus on Irritable Bowel System which is a diagnosis that includes a cluster of symptoms.”

Lewis pointed out that the digestive system is the foundation for overall well-being. It functions to provide us with essential nutrients, is also an integral part of our immune system and impacts every other body system.

“Whether you’re struggling with chronic digestive issues or would just like to know more about how to optimize digestion to improve overall wellness, this class is for you,” she said. “So many people with IBS are left confused. This is where functional testing comes in which is what I do. With a more holistic and functional approach we can actually get to the root cause of these symptoms.”

Lewis will offer advice on food choices and solutions.

“Digestive health is important,” she said. “The gut is connected to the brain in so many ways we don’t even realize. It’s important to take control of your digestive health. That’s how we get our nutrients and nourish our bodies.”

Lewis is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s degree in Nutrition and certification in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. She has spent the past four years as a dietitian in the public system, helping patients understand the impacts of nutrition and make sustainable lifestyle changes to improve their health. Now, in her practice, Perfectly Nourished, she works with clients one-on-one to help them heal their gut and restore digestive balance.

Sign up for these and other classes at The Well online at https://thewellok.org/all-classes.

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