Thanksgiving has come and gone. You spent time with your family, had some laughs with your friends, and now you’re left still feeling bloated and full. If you overindulged (and seem to keep overindulging), you’re not alone – and it’s okay. It happens to the best of us and unfortunately, we can’t turn back time. What we can do is get back on track right away and use the following tips to help reduce the post-holiday bloat.
Eat Your Greens
Skip the leftovers and the post-holiday everything-but-the-kitchen-sink turkey sandwiches and reach for greens instead. Green vegetables, like broccoli, kale, and asparagus contain phytonutrients that act as natural diuretics. They help flush out excess water, reducing bloat in the process. If you have a juicer, consider making yourself a green juice. Juicing removes the fiber – which isn’t recommended in many cases – but it’s a great way to help reduce bloat in a pinch.
Sip Some Tea
Sipping on tea with some key ingredients – namely ginger and peppermint – can flush out excess water and toxins from your body and help reduce bloat. Ginger soothes stomach discomfort, while peppermint reduces bloating and helps soothe a churning stomach. You can buy over-the-counter tea varieties that contain both ginger and peppermint or you can easily make your own ginger tea at home.
Peel some ginger root and slice it into thin slices – enough to cover the bottom of a small sauce pan. Fill the pan with two cups of water and allow the ginger to boil in the water for about a half hour. Pour the tea through a strainer into your mug and add a drop of honey, if want some added sweetness. Just a drop though – the calories in honey can quickly add up if you’re not careful.
Chug That Water
Water is essential to reducing bloating. It may seem counterintuitive to drink more water when you’re holding on to water weight, but staying hydrated will help flush out your system and make those jeans a little bit easier to sip. Try to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. If you don’t normally drink water as soon as you wake up, it can take some getting used to, but once you make it a routine, you may find that you actually crave it. If the thought of plain water in the morning just doesn’t sound appealing, squeeze in some fresh juice from a lemon or lime wedge.
Let It Out
Okay, let’s be honest. Gas is an embarrassing subject. It’s not a usual topic of conversation, even though we’ve all had it and we’ll all have it again. You may have gained a pound or two, but most post-holiday bloating is from gas; and one of the most efficient ways to get rid of the bloating is by simply letting that gas out. Of course, we’re not condoning just letting loose where you stand, but when you feel the urge to expel some gas – whether it be through belching or flatulence – excuse yourself and give your body that release. Holding onto the gas will not only make bloating worse, it’s uncomfortable too.
