It is November and the time to celebrate Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving feast reinforces the themes of abundance and gratitude. As we all approach the Thanksgiving holiday with the best intentions, sometimes the dinner feast with turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie are just too tempting. Chances are you’ll probably consume more sugar, gluten, and empty carbs than you have all year.
But don’t guilt trip yourself. Instead, take action to get back on track and help your body recover the best way possible – with the nutrients it needs to re-balance and thrive.
At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, Dr. Mathew Cheung and Dr. Peter Lin share that our holiday habits–overeating, excess sugar, alcohol, and less rest–can impede the body’s ability to detox naturally. In this post, you can learn some simple steps to detox your body which can regulate your blood sugar levels and reset your digestive system.
Five steps to recover from the Thanksgiving feast
1. Go for a walk
You’re probably feeling pretty tired after all that Thanksgiving dinner, but you should really plan for a quick walk that night. First, it’ll help get rid of that “stuffed” feeling, but it’ll also help you metabolize your food better.
Plus, a study from George Washington University shows that a 15-minute walk after feasting can help prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes.
2. Get extra sleep that night
The busy lives we lead leave little time for sleep….or at least that’s how it feels. But you should really log at least 9 hours of sleep. Doing so helps prevent cravings for sugary foods that are nutritionally deplete while also helping you regain control over your appetite.
In fact, an American Heart Association study revealed that missing just 80 minutes of sleep caused participants to consume an extra 550 calories the following day!
3. Hydrate first thing in the morning!
Your body probably needs a little go-go juice to wake up your detox & digestive systems. Try drinking 10 oz of warm water with a little all-natural lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne (if you can handle it).
This simple detox drink will wake up your liver and encourage healthy bile flow. A nice hot cup of turmeric tea is another great option.
4. Drink some lemon water
It’s a classic detox tip for a reason, people! Drinking water helps to flush waste from the body, so drink a big glass before you reach for any food the morning after Thanksgiving. To enhance the effects of water, add some fresh lemon juice. Lemon promotes alkalinity within the body and also kickstarts the digestive process, in addition to flushing the liver. In a tall glass of warm water (not boiling), squeeze half a lemon and stir. You can drink this concoction as it is, or add a dash of cayenne pepper as well to spark that metabolism.
5. Eat a healthy breakfast the next day
Ok, this one’s pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised how often this advice is ignored. A high protein breakfast is essential to detoxing from overindulgence since protein works to naturally balance blood sugar.
Not to mention, it gives your body a break from all the sugar and empty carbs that it is still trying to process.
A few easy and delicious ideas include eggs sautéed in coconut oil with a side of nuts and seeds, or even a protein smoothie loaded with leafy greens and your favorite protein powder.
6. Exercise
Exercise is great for lifting your mood, burning calories and busting stress. It’s also key in coming off that “toxic” Thanksgiving meal (or meals) of yours. Although a long run might be a little too intense at first, try going for a brisk walk to get your body back on its exercise track. Then find a way to sweat.
Schedule an appointment today
At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, we strive to provide the best service, care, and results possible. If you are interested in varicose vein treatment, give us a call at 626-275-9566 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at www.vcsla.com for more information.
