Whether you had to get a second and third helping of stuffing or went too far with the eggnog at work related holiday parties, your body could use a little rest after all the fatty foods and drinks and big portions.
Instead of going on a full cleanse with a severe calorie restriction, try a few post holiday detox tips that can help your digestive system get back on track without shocking it too much. With the help of these simple detox solutions, you’ll keep your skin looking good and maintain your energy levels.
1. Drink Another Glass of Water
There’s nothing that helps your body more in this time of the year than staying hydrated. After you’ve had your fill of holiday drinks, step away from the soda can and drink water instead.
It will help flush out toxins faster and you’ll be less likely to overeat again, no matter how delicious those leftovers look.
2. Go Alkaline
Adding a little lemon to your water is also a good idea, since it helps your body recover after the acidic foods and drinks that taste the best on holidays. One of the post holiday detox tips is to help rebalance your body’s pH with the help of alkaline-forming foods, from root vegetables (carrots, beets) and cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli) to leafy greens (kale, spinach) and alkaline fruit (lemons, dates, figs).
3. Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Fiber
The last thing you want to do when you feel in need of a little detox is keep eating meals that are very rich in protein an fat. You need plenty of fiber, in order to keep your digestion on track. You should be eating fiber-rich foods in every meal, but it’s especially important to get a big helping for breakfast, with either oatmeal or whole wheat bread.
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4. Restrict Your Dairy Intake
Dairy can also slow down your digestion and increase acidity, when you need alkaline-forming food, not acidic ones. One of the best post holiday detox tips is to stop eating dairy for a couple of days, and stop drinking it in coffee as well. Try milk substitutes made from plant sources if your cravings get the better of you.
5. Lower Your Caffeine Intake
While dairy in your coffee is to be avoided, you’ll be better off if you skip the coffee altogether for a couple of days. Coffee is a bad way to start the day when you’re trying to detox, especially if you had a really big meal the night before. Caffeine can trigger sugar cravings, and that’s the last thing your blood sugar levels need right now. Instead, try a green or black tea with no added caffeine.
6. Keep Moving
Even if you’re not planning on hitting the gym, try one of the post holiday detox tips and stay active. Whether it’s a long walk, a little stretching, or a few minutes of cardio, you don’t need to break a sweat to get rid of that sluggish feeling.
7. Control Your Carb Intake
If you decide to detox by cutting out all the sugar, you’ll also need to pay attention to the kind of carbs you eat. Plenty of foods have added sugar, from white bread to low-fat flavored yogurt. Even salty sauces and salad dressings can be loaded with sugar.
8. Sweat Out the Toxins
Whether you choose to work up a sweat by exercising or going to a sauna, sweating out the toxins is definitely one of the most important post holiday detox tips. If you’re not working out enough for that, then detox with a warm bath with Epsom salts. You can also add baking soda, apple cider vinegar and bentonite clay to your detox bath.
9. Go for a Vegan Day
The best thing you can do for your digestive system and your skin after meat heavy meals is to step back and avoid animal protein for a day. Plant based foods and whole foods are a great way of giving your liver and pancreas a rest after big meals with plenty of saturated fat. Snack on fruits and nuts and try a little vegetable sushi.
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10. Make Yourself a Green Smoothie
Mixing together alkaline-forming fruits and vegetables for a delicious green smoothie is one of the simplest post holiday detox tips. Make sure that your smoothie includes lemon, cucumber, kale, spinach, and you can also add a few chia seeds for a powerful detoxing effect.
