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Beat the Holiday Bloat: Post Turkey Day Revival Guide!

Posted Fri, Nov 16, 2007, 5:23 pm PST
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So you overindulged at Thanksgiving dinner (who didn't?!). The stuffing...the casseroles...the pumpkin pie! That doesn't mean your diet's doomed 'til after New Year's. HG's got the 411 on how to bounce back from T Day, starting now!
 
HG's Top Ate Tips for Turkey Day Detox:
 
1. Don't start cutting crazy amounts of calories. Believe it or not, the best way to keep extra pounds off is actually to return to a normal, healthy amount of calories per day. Restricting yourself in hopes of canceling out all the extra calories you consumed on Thanksgiving will only confuse your body and your metabolism (first too much, then not enough!).
 
2. Turn leftover turkey into guilt-free grub. White meat turkey is packed with filling protein but not a lot of calories or fat. Toss some on a salad and serve with low-cal dressing. Add some to broth-based soup for a hearty starter. Or try our latest favorite -- combine a few ounces with a container of Boca Meatless Chili (click here for more on that)...soo good!!!

3. Give your fridge a makeover. If your kitchen's still packed with fattening holiday goodies, chances are you'll ending up eating 'em all, one bite at a time! Don't turn a one-day holiday into an excuse to pig out for a week. Get rid of all that tempting stuff and stock your kitchen with fruits, veggies, lean protein, and satisfying snack foods.
 
4. Shake the salt habit. To downsize day-after bloat, try to limit your salt intake. Click here to check out our review of some low-sodium soups, and click here for some low-cal frozen meals that are lower in salt.
 
5. Treat yourself. You read right! Just because fruits and veggies are your best bets after a day of splurging does not mean they have to be booooring. Snap up some Funky Monkey Freeze-Dried Fruit -- this crunchy fruit snack is all fruit, nothing added, but it tastes fantastic and comes in fun flavor combos (click here to see our favorite!). Or whip up some of HG's famous Lord of the Onion Rings -- they're veggie-rific, low in calories and fat, and packed with fiber...but they taste like junk food!

6. Swap it up! Avoid extra calories each day by making simple swaps. Trade regular milk for skim and save about 60 calories and 8g fat per cup. Or opt for an HG fave, Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze -- that nondairy swap is creamy and delicious and has a whopping 110 fewer calories than whole milk! Opt for light bread (with about 45 calories per slice) instead of regular doughy bread slices, and you can save 100 calories for each sandwich you chew! (Click here for our fave bread picks.) And instead of regular eggs, use a fat-free egg substitute like Egg Beaters. For omelettes, baking, scrambles, and more, you'll save about 70 calories and 8g fat each time you swap a half-cup of that egg sub for 2 regular eggs.
 
7. Hit the mall! Power-shopping through the mall burns calories, people! And getting that holiday shopping done early will wipe out stress-related food splurges due to that last-minute gifting frenzy. Plus, picking out holiday outfits for yourself will keep you motivated to rebound from Turkey Day.
 
8. Guzzle while you gobble. Getting enough H20 during your meals and throughout the day is key to keeping full. Plus staying hydrating helps keep you focused, so you're less likely to make a food flub. If sipping plain water isn't your thing, try spiking a bottle with a packet of sugar-free powdered drink mix, like the ones by Crystal Light, Wyler's Light, and Market Pantry. Or for an all-natural option, try Hint Water -- it's fruity but subtle, and we think it rocks!

For more guilt-free tips, tricks, recipes, food finds, and more, head to hungry-girl.com to sign up for free daily emails!
 

Average (85 Ratings): 4 out of 5 stars

19 Comments

  • 1. Posted by sexy on Thu, Nov 22, 2007, 1:08 pm PST

    hello there and thank's again !! I don't feel so guilty any more..happy holidays

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  • 2. Posted by ajp1933@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, 6:30 am PST

    This is great information all except you need to educate your self on the horribel products crystal light(aspartame) also splenda. Go into the site www.mercola.com and you will find how bad these products are for your health. I know 2 young women that were diagnosed with MS because the drank over a liter of diet pop for 15yrs. They went to a

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  • 3. Posted by l c on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, 7:54 am PST

    Today is the day that I make a very healthy turkey soup with the leftover turkey and cut up vegetables. It is healthy, filling and good! I also drink a lot of water all day and never fast! i eat healthy today and take zylene from http://www.zylenebody.com. Zylene is an all natural weight loss supplement that works great! I have already lost 15 pounds and still losing more! i have tons of energy and a suppressed appetite. There are tips for dieting during holiday parties on the site as well that are great!

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  • 4. Posted by d2 on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, 8:18 am PST

    Try heating healthy chocolate. Go to www.ahealthychocolate4u.com today and find out about this amazing product.

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  • 5. Posted by Timm Carney on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, 8:18 am PST

    Hit the Mall?! How hideous. Why not just eat like a normal healthy person? Bag the processed and packaged crap get some exercise that dosn't involve commercial consumption!

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  • 6. Posted by sam c on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, 8:35 am PST

    hi, best to associate food with blood and tissue repair. fruit, eggs, nuts, fish, rice, cereals, dairyt , meat,poultry, contain no calories without cooking. natural homemade juices also no calories. For repair and detox, this is the ideal diet. Dr. Sam Courriere original, olympian Nobel prize winner

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  • 7. Posted by hasshart on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, 8:47 am PST

    Played football and cooked a great ham. loved your tips happy holidays

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  • 8. Posted by BLYTHE K on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, 8:51 am PST

    Starvation diets will throw your body into shut-down.I was once told to go on a diabetic diet..Oh for shame. Right? NO. Actually the diabetic diet makes sense and works. Check out high and low glycemic foods on internet. Change eating habitats and learn to Eat to Live not Live to eat.Each cut made in daily diet works.The sooner the better. Substitute bad for good and believe me you'll lose weight, feel healthier and have more energy.

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  • 9. Posted by Mrs. Legs on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, 9:03 am PST

    I agree, info is great... But, processed STUFF definately isn't the way to a healthy diet. The way I see it, ALL in moderation is the key to my healthy diet!

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  • 10. Posted by yourmarketingexecutive on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, 10:48 am PST

    I this website and the tips are WONDERFUL!

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  • 11. Posted by phangphonsa on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, 10:57 am PST

    All that crap you just mentioned is all processed junk food. Yes it may be a low calorie food choice, but it is full of chemicals and processed ingredients. You can eat as normal food like fruit, vegatables, real meat, eggs, nuts as you like and not have to worry about your so-called "detox diet." Store bought pumkin pie, cake, potato chips, and your onion rings are not food. It wasnt here 10,000 years ago so humans are not supposed to eat it. Why do people not get that through there thick heads!! Why do they feed a lion in the zoo meat? Because thats what he is supposed to eat. DUH. Ask yourself what are humans supposed to eat???????

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  • 12. Posted by snow princess on Fri, Nov 23, 2007, 11:33 am PST

    I agree with phangphonsa on on this. Though I do have to say since I know how to cook and make healthy snacks it gets me thinking. I should more often.

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  • 13. Posted by Emily on Sat, Nov 24, 2007, 6:39 pm PST

    you people are lame. She's not saying eat an all chemically induced diet. Just giving regular people alternatives for a little indulgence.

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  • 14. Posted by Marge on Wed, Nov 28, 2007, 1:50 am PST

    I agree with Emmie: real people need real tips. I, too, try to limit processed foods and additives but often make the best out of bad choices. That's real life. What disturbs me here are the thinly veiled ads for products, commercial "diets" and redirects to supplement sites by posters. I wouldn't allow any proseletyzers' comments to remain here...not until they PAY for advertising.

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  • 15. Posted by lovelykati on Wed, Nov 28, 2007, 8:00 am PST

    HG, you are so helpful. I remember your article I got in my inbox about how the tips you give are for real people who live in real life this day in age, giving alternatives for normal, healthy people for junky food once in a while. I love it! I would rather eat a batch of your onion rings or sweet potatoe baked fries than the fast-food calorie packed fried stuff (or even 'restaraunt quality'). Less poisonous to a human body (and more nutrients) than even going out for a small fry from one's favorite fast food place.

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  • 16. Posted by lovelykati on Wed, Nov 28, 2007, 8:00 am PST

    HG, you are so helpful. I remember your article I got in my inbox about how the tips you give are for real people who live in real life this day in age, giving alternatives for normal, healthy people for junky food once in a while. I love it! I would rather eat a batch of your onion rings or sweet potatoe baked fries than the fast-food calorie packed fried stuff (or even 'restaraunt quality'). Less poisonous to a human body (and more nutrients) than even going out for a small fry from one's favorite fast food place.

    Report Abuse
  • 17. Posted by clovermomof2 on Wed, Nov 28, 2007, 7:10 pm PST

    Thank you for all your hard work and dedication in keeping us informed and motivated. Have a blessed Holiday season.

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  • 18. Posted by Andrew V on Thu, Nov 29, 2007, 8:57 am PST

    Love the bottle of Newcastle in the lord of the onion rings picture. Great suggestions, keep up the good work. Now HG, can you whip up some no calorie beer?

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  • 19. Posted by pokerdave77 on Thu, Nov 29, 2007, 1:04 pm PST

    Hi there! Love the site and your suggestions. I just have to clear up one thing with point #1. There is more and more data coming out that caloric intake has no effect on metablism (these are peer reviewed medical journal articles). Its a good idea not to yo-yo as you can end up with bad eating habits and certainly starving yourself is not a healthy alternative, but going from a large dinner to a restricted diet is not going to "confuse the body" or affect your metabolism. Most of these "urban legends" are proving to be untrue. I just want to make the point because I think people need to have the information at hand to make the right choices for the right reasons. Thanks

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