Experience Abdominal Bloating After New Year's Party? Nutritionist Reveals How to Prevent It

Illustration photo. (Dok. Freepik)

JAKARTA - Bloating, nausea, or discomfort often appear after a large meal on New Year's Eve. Although this moment is full of celebration, many people still experience digestive problems.

Many people can consume thousands of calories in just one day of partying, far exceeding the body's daily needs. Sugar and fat intake is often ignored, especially when grilled dishes, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and desserts come one after the other. No wonder the stomach feels cramping, hot, or bloated.

Adrienne Benjamin, a nutritionist from ProVen Biotics explained that during celebrations, many people tend to eat more than usual and do it more often throughout the day.

In addition, they often combine heavy foods that are rarely consumed with alcoholic beverages and sweet foods, so that the digestive system is more easily disturbed.

"Eating is also done at irregular times, routines are disrupted, and stress levels can be higher, all of which affect intestinal function. The digestive system is most comfortable when we maintain a regular and non-excessive diet, but New Year's celebrations are often difficult to do," he said, quoted from the Daily Mail website, Thursday, January 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, Lucy Kershaw, a nutritionist from Nature's Best added that when at social events, people often eat faster without realizing it.

"Stopping between meals gives the stomach time to signal fullness and helps reduce bloating. Putting a fork between meals or more chatting while eating can help the body follow the rhythm," he said.

Mark Gilbert, nutritionist from The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan explained that bloating, constipation, and diarrhea are mostly caused by about 35 trillion microbes in the digestive tract. These microbes produce gas and adapt whenever there is a change in the type of food we consume.

"This gas is mainly formed in the colon because the microbes live from fibers that the body cannot absorb. When the diet changes, the microbes also change, some expand, some shrink, and some produce different gases that cause flatulence," he said.

Belle Amatt, Nutrition Therapist at W-Wellness added that many people consider Christmas or New Year as a time to overeat. This is often the main cause of digestive discomfort.

"Large meals rich in protein, fat, and sugar are consumed in succession, often accompanied by alcohol. Eating too much also slows down digestion because the stomach acid that is important for breaking down food is overwhelmed with too much volume," he said.

Lucy Kershaw also emphasized that cheese boards, cream foods, fried canapes, and sweet desserts can burden the digestive system, especially if eaten in large portions or close together.

How to Overcome Bloating Without Medication

Light walking helps digestion and reduces bloating. Drink warm water or herbal tea such as fennel, peppermint, or ginger. Eat less but more often. Give the digestive system a rest. Pay attention to the way you eat. Chew well, don't talk too much, massage the stomach in a clockwise direction.