It’s very easy to jump off the healthy wagon during the holidays. You somehow continue to indulge, even with the small voice in the back of your head that says, “Don’t eat all of that sugar.” It’s almost too difficult to resist all of the scrumptious foods that come with the holiday season. So what do you do? You promise yourself that you will detox after the holidays, and the goal is to honor that agreement. This article aims to give you five helpful tips that promote that detoxification process.
The reason that you want to detox immediately after the holidays is so that you don’t continue indulging until January 1st. You are less likely to start the year on a healthier path if you go completely off the rails right up to the year’s end. Detoxing in the days leading up to the new year can propel you into better health; plus, it keeps you more accountable.
We know that the word “detox” comes with a lot of baggage, and it is intimidating to most people. You don’t have to worry about a crash diet or water fast because the body is resilient and knows how to detox itself. Think of the following tips like little helpers that encourage the body’s natural detoxification processes.
Drink Warm Water With Lemon
Any time you go overboard with food, you should drink more water than usual, especially to start your day. Go one step further and add some fresh lemon juice to a glass of warm water and continue sipping it throughout the day. Lemons have their own health benefits, but combining them with warm water can help promote healthy digestion and hydration. Hydration is paramount after your big holiday meals because water helps your liver and kidneys filter out toxins.
Tea Time
Sipping on a little tea before and after meals can help keep your metabolism and digestive system firing on all cylinders. There are certain teas, however, that may come to your aid after a day of heavy eating. Fennel tea, for example, works to relieve digestive troubles, including bloating, flatulence, indigestion, constipation, and heartburn. Fennel also works to stimulate digestion and even has carminative effects that prevent the formation of gas by soothing the digestive tract. Peppermint tea can also help soothe your stomach and help get rid of bloating. If you are a nursing mother, steer clear of peppermint tea because it is an anti-galactagogue and will decrease milk supply.
Yoga
If you want to help bring more balance and energy to your entire body, yoga is the quickest way to do so. According to yogis, including a quick yoga sequence into your day can help ignite your digestive fire and get rid of bloating. In fact, you can click here to learn about the best yoga poses to help get rid of bloating. You’ll be feeling like you never overindulged in no time!
Skip The Coffee
We know…you need that coffee to face the world, but you really don’t. A jolt of java may help you get out of bed, but it also builds up a sugar and carbohydrate craving for the rest of the day. So what should you sip in place of coffee to help digestion and give you a little energy? Studies show that drinking a cup of green tea can help settle your stomach after a large meal. Green tea contains a potent plant compound known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which prevents cholesterol build-up in the arteries. One study found that EGCG can speed up weight loss by 77%, in addition to helping balance blood sugar levels to keep cravings at bay.
Eat Raw Vegetables With Every Meal
In addition to eating cooked vegetables, try to include more raw vegetables with your post-holiday meals. Raw vegetables contain lots of fiber and they help to remove toxins from your body. By encouraging the elimination of waste, you reduce your risk of bloat or the build-up of gas. Fruits are also naturally rich in fiber, so consider starting your day with a fruit and vegetable smoothie. Spinach, bananas, apples, berries, and a little dairy-free milk make an excellent, nutrient-dense smoothie that can help regulate your system and fill you up.
