Did you know there’s a scientific term for your post-Thanksgiving food coma? Yep, it’s called postprandial somnolence, and according to The National Sleep Foundation, carbohydrates make tryptophan, a sleep-promoting amino acid found in turkey, more available to the brain. And you know what you eat a lot of on Thanksgiving? You guessed it! Carbs … and turkey.
You might also be dealing with some bloating, a result of eating too much sodium, overeating, and eating too fast. Foods that take longer to digest like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts can also cause unwanted bloat.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy Thanksgiving—quite the opposite. While you should tune into the reasons you may be tempted to overeat, you can still have an awesome time eating your favorite seasonal foods with your family. After all, this special day only comes once a year!
If you do overindulge, don’t judge or get down on yourself. Simply use these tips to feel better in the aftermath, so you can return back to your (more energized) baseline ASAP.
Drink Water
You might think that water retention means you have an excess of water in your body. But it’s usually the opposite. Your body holds onto the water it has when you start to get dehydrated. So make sure you drink about eight glasses a day, especially after a big meal. Bonus: It can also help relieve the post-Thanksgiving headache from too much wine (and politics).
Move Your Body
Simply taking a light walk after a large meal can reduce the symptoms of bloating, per Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Getting outside and playing a fun game of flag football or hitting your local gym can really help ease your bloat and give you an added energy boost, thanks to endorphins. Don’t feel like heading to the gym when the fam is in town? Here are 9 Ways to Work Out at Home.
Eat the Right Foods
Leftovers are great, but only if you want to feel as lethargic as you did yesterday. Hard pass. Swap the heavy carbs for foods that reduce bloating: Celery, cucumber, spinach, and bananas are some de-bloating all-stars. Ginger is also great for easing bloating and stomach pain. Throw ‘em all in a smoothie before you hit up those Black Friday sales.
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