So it's Christmas Eve and you're already feeling a bit guilty after the indulgent meals this past weekend from those holiday parties, and all that the excess wine and egg nog (or rum!) that has you reaching for some Advil.
If you want to get back on track to your usual healthy self, I have a few tips to help you. These tips will also help prepare you for the remaining festivities.
1. Hydrate.
Drink as much water as possible to flush out the toxins. Drinking water throughout the day will also keep you full, and keep you from drinking too much of other less-healthy options. And most importantly, it helps avoid hangovers which are a result of dehydration from alcohol. So at that next dinner party, start off with water, and if you decide to drink alcohol with or after your meal, focus on having a glass of water in between every drink.
2. Invest in digestive spices and teas.
There are many ingredients and spices that aid digestion and help to avoid bloating, gassiness, and that heavy feeling after a meal. These include: ginger, black pepper, coriander, cumin, fennel, anise/licorice, and peppermint. If you're cooking at home, make the effort to cook with some ginger. Sautée your vegetables with some coconut oil, finely chopped ginger and garlic. Then add some ground coriander and cumin for added digestive ease. If you're eating out, try adding some fresh black pepper to your meal. Finish off your meal with a warm cup of mint tea, or even sip on a licorice beverage like sambuca, instead of indulging in that cold ice cream which is terrible for digestion and will likely lead to bloating. You can also buy some ginger or fennel tea, take it with you to your relatives' house, and serve yourself a warm tea instead of the champagne pre-dinner. Incorporating these digestive spices will help keep your belly flat!
3. Take a complete B-vitamin.
When you're drinking alcohol, a b-complex vitamin will help you avoid the hangover and restore your energy the next day. Take one at night before bed, and again the next morning.
4. Eat at home before going out.
It's hard to control what you'll be fed at holiday parties, and you know that most of the options will be heavy in carbs and fat. Especially the appetizers. So try eating a healthy salad or a cup of homemade veggie soup before leaving the house, and you'll find it easier to avoid the unhealthy finger food. And then if you decide to accept that glass of bubbly, you won't be drinking on an empty stomach. While if you're starving, you'll end up making poor decisions when it comes to food and booze.
5. Wear a tight outfit.
At your next few holiday events including NYE, wear a tight body-conscious dress, or for the men, wear some tight fitting pants with a fitted shirt. It will not only make you feel sexy, attractive and confident, but it will also keep you from overeating!
And lastly, ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS with your friends and family. Enjoy the company, and the food, but BE MINDFUL. Be kind to your belly and don't overload it with heavy and hard-to-digest foods.
Have a great holiday week, don't forget to try these 5 tips, and I'll be back in a few days with more of my healthy thoughts and recipes!
Love and Happy Holidays,
Mariana