Post-Thanksgiving Detox Diet
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday….filled with friends, family, and fun. Not to mention turkey, potatoes, stuffing, rolls, and pie. Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me feel stuffed!
Did you overeat on Thanksgiving? Ah, that’s ok. It’s just one day out of the year. No worries!
Oh, wait…did you overeat all through the long weekend? Not so good.
Some people find that if they don’t make an effort to stop, that Thanksgiving Day feast can be the start of more than a month of non-stop eating – all the way through New Years Day!
If you want to get your eating back in control…so you can survive those holiday parties, gift baskets, and cookie swaps, I’ve got some tips for you. I call it ”Dr. Jo’s post-Thanksgiving detox diet. ”
- Break the fast. Skipping breakfast sounds like a good idea when you’ve overeaten the night before…but this only sets you up to continue this pattern of night snacking. Plus, breaking the night fast with breakfast helps to increase your metabolism!
- Power Up. Too many carbs (such as breads, pasta, sweets) during the day can cause a roller coaster reaction with your blood sugar – high, then low. That will make you feel sleepy. Add protein to your breakfast and lunch with soy protein, nuts, lean meats and cheese, eggs, and nonfat yogurt and milk.
- Assist Mother Nature’s help. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains help to fill you up (with fewer calories than refined foods) – and help to keep you regular. Reach for 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, plus 3 servings of whole grains. Try a breakfast of oatmeal, non-fat milk, nuts – and a fresh orange. Add grilled chicken or salmon to your lunch salad. Then, snack on fruit between meals.
- What’s in your mouth? If you find yourself tempted to keep eating past that comfortable feeling, pop some gum in your mouth. It may also help if you brush your teeth or sip on a cup of tea. Any of these can be a signal to STOP eating. See what works for you.
- Make it easy for you. It’s hard to resist temptation when food is everywhere! Now’s the time to empty your cupboards from anything that’s tempting. That food gift basket? Give it to the homeless. That half a pie? If you’ve already had plenty and it’s still “calling your name”, trash it! And, if the break room at work is full of food…well, take a walk outside instead.
- “Waste” it or “Waist” it. Stop worrying about those starving kids in China or Africa or wherever Mom said they were! Overeating isn’t going to help them! And, stop worrying about “wasting” food…if you eat it, it goes to your “waist.” That extra food really does look better in the trash can than on your waist, doesn’t it?
- Improve your mood – and your willpower. The holidays are supposed to be happy, but oftentimes it stirs up negative emotions instead. Exercise (even walking) has been shown to help people feel better. And, it’s also a good way to make you feel strong – in body - and with temptations all around.
By Marly on Dec 2, 2009
Thanks for this great list of tips to stay on track during the holidays. I think it must take a collective effort – all of us sharing ideas to help each other out. I love the holidays, but I just want to come through them and still fit into my jeans!