No one likes that uncomfortable bloated feeling after over-eating. If that happens to you or your grandkids this Thanksgiving, you can be prepared to give out some grandmother advise. See some great tips below from Jessi Kneeland, personal trainer at Peak Performance in NYC.
1. Drink tons of water
After consuming such a rich, salty meal, your body will retain fluid in an effort to keep you hydrated. Drink a lot of water to convince your body that it can let go of those fluids, and you’ll start to see and feel yourself de-puffing in a day or so.
2. Lower your sodium intake for a few days.
You’ll want to keep your sodium intake low for at least a week after Thanksgiving to give yourself a chance to properly re-hydrate and de-bloat.
3. Go for a walk after dinner.
Get your body moving as soon as you feel able to help the digestion process (and fight constipation). The same applies to getting to the gym the next day. The sooner you start the process of sweating and revving your metabolism again, the better.
4. Get plenty of fiber.
The longer the food sits in your digestive system, the longer you’ll feel bloated. I suggest taking a daily fiber supplement. If you don’t, be sure to eat plenty of fiber-rich vegetables and fruits over the next few days.
5. Fast.
The morning after Thanksgiving, consider stretching your overnight fast into the afternoon. You can drink some coffee with cream in the morning, but avoid food until early or mid-afternoon! Giving your body a few extra hours of running on last night’s fuel (and fat) will give your digestive system a much needed break.
6. Eat water-rich fruits and veggies.
This will help you to re-hydrate, though they’re no substitute for water! Many fibrous greens like broccoli, kale, and spinach also offer the added bonus of magnesium, potassium, and calcium, all of which will help ease water retention.
Jessi Kneeland, personal trainer at Peak Performance in NYC.
