Today is my wedding day. 🤯
I've been looking forward to this day since my fiancé proposed nearly two years ago. Leading up to my wedding (and for the past 4-5 years now), I've been using Intermittent Fasting to keep my gut healthy and bloating down. I have an extensive history of severe bloating and Intermittent Fasting has helped to completely keep it in check. So needless to say, I'll still be following my usual Intermittent Fasting routine on my wedding day, too.
BUT -- something we discuss all the time on my blog and YouTube channel is just how important what you're eating during the eating window is. Even just one meal can cause some fairly rapid fermentation and lead to significant bloating. And with it being my wedding day, I'm looking to make sure I'm not feeling bloated.
So today I'm sharing what I'm eating on my wedding day to ensure that my gut is happy and healthy all day long!
Water and Sea Salt
While I'm still in my fasted state, I'll be drinking plenty of water and sea salt. Intermittent Fasting tends to cause quite a big release of water and sodium from the body. This release can lead to an electrolyte imbalance, low energy levels and a headache. Obviously, I don't want any of that today (or any day!). So to counter this, I'll be drinking about 32 oz. of water during my fast and 1/4 teaspoon of Celtic Sea Salt. Depending on how I'm feeling, I might add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt to my water in order to ensure my electrolyte levels are balanced and that I feel energized.
Keto Coffee
A morning would not be complete without my daily cup of Keto Coffee. This coffee contains grass-fed butter and organic coconut oil to provide high quality fats to decrease my sugar cravings and reduce inflammation in my gut.(1) Because my Keto Coffee doesn't contain any sugar or protein, it can also be used during my fast. This is one of the key components of my Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle to help reduce hunger during the fast while staying in a fat burning state.
I also use an organic, mold-free coffee that doesn't spike my anxiety levels (again, not something I want on my wedding day). I only drink Organic Purity Coffee which is lab tested for mold, mold-toxins and pesticides. If you're looking for a high quality healthy coffee, I can't recommend Purity Coffee more.
You can test out Purity Coffee for 20% off using my code "AUTUMN" at checkout HERE. I recommend opting for their Original Roast Whole Bean or Pocket Purity.*
*Affiliate Code
Low-Sugar Protein Smoothie
Typically, I eat three meals per day with Intermittent Fasting. But purely due to the timing of the wedding, I'm planning on breaking my fast a little later (around 1pm) and switching to two meals instead. Simply because of getting ready and pictures, I'm not going to have time to fit in three meals today. So instead, I'll be breaking my fast with one of my usual low-sugar protein smoothie recipes (like any of the options in the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle) and increasing the protein by an extra half serving.
Since I'll be removing one meal, adding the extra half serving of protein into one of my usual smoothies will help ensure that I am satisfied and not feeling hungry as I walk down the aisle. Plus, by opting for a low-sugar smoothie, I won't provide sugar (aka fuel) for the bacteria in my gut to munch on. By not providing this fast fuel source for my gut bacteria to ferment, I can reduce the risk of experiencing bloating.
Protein Focus At Dinner
At the reception, I've planned for plenty of protein rich options such as tuna, chicken and lamb. Protein will be the key nutrient that prevents the highly unwanted hanger at my wedding party. I'll also be opting for cooked veggies instead of raw (think roasted cauliflower vs. a raw kale salad). Cooked vegetables are essentially "pre-digested" and can move through the GI tract a bit faster than raw veggies. By moving a little bit faster through the GI tract, the risk of my gut bacteria grabbing on and quickly fermenting those veggies is greatly reduced. Another sneaky tip to help reduce the risk of bloating!
But will I be having some wedding cake? Of course! However, these types of foods won't be the main focus of the day and evening. I want to eat the meals that make me feel energized, de-bloated and my best at my wedding. Feeling my best is the number one priority. I don't want to have energy dips, feel sleepy or hangry while I'm on the dance floor or walking down the aisle. With that goal in mind, I have prioritized high quality fats, proteins and cooked fiber for the first 3/4 of the day and will be ending my day with some wedding cake (perhaps even smashed in my face - do people still do that?!).
Looking to achieve a weight loss or wellness goal with Intermittent Fasting? Get the step-by-step, meal-by-meal details with the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle!
Learn more HERE!
Your Nutritionist,
Autumn
Autumn Elle Nutrition