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November 16, 2016
5 Tips for a Sugar Binge Recovery
We’ve all had our weak moments when it comes to sugar, like waking up in a bed of candy wrappers the day after Halloween (fact: bite-size candy bars are meant to be consumed so quickly that you can eat 20 in the time it takes to say “cold-pressed green juice”). While that may seem safely in the past, the Thanksgiving holiday is imminent and, inevitably, so is that next sugar binge.
While one day of bad eating won’t kill you, the resulting downward spiral of bad habits is what you truly want to avoid. Don’t let the holiday snowball into a whole season (or year!) of sugar addiction.
Here are five tips to recover from a sugar binge:
1.) Don’t Beat Yourself Up
No use crying over spilled (almond) milk. What’s done is done, and everyday is a chance for a new decision. When it comes to health, the most important indicator is what you do the majority of the time, not once in awhile. So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and stop with the self-criticism. What happens during the holidays, stays there.
2.) Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
High sugar intake can leave you dehydrated, so don’t skimp on the water or fresh, cold-pressed green juice today (Juicero Sweet Greens is a fave!). The added hydration will help your body better process the sugar, and get you back to feeling normal again.
3.) Eat Well Balanced Meals
To help bring your blood sugar back into balance, don’t starve yourself, as you may be tempted to do, but rather consume 3 well-balanced meals, loaded with high fiber veggies, and a healthy plant-based or lean protein. Beans and dark leafy greens are particularly important. They contain magnesium, which helps your body process sugar. Chard, black beans and avocado are all good sources. Try subbing Swiss Chard for cabbage in this Macro Bowl Recipe, for an easy, well balanced meal.
4.) Pop a Probiotic
Consuming too much sugar can alter your gut bacteria for the worse, so help get it back in check by taking a high quality probiotic, sipping on kombucha, or eating naturally fermented foods.
5.) Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to balance blood sugar, so don’t overlook a sweat session as a way to help you feel better. Plus, it will help you burn off some of that excess energy.
Maria Marlowe is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who has helped hundreds of people improve their health through improving their eating habits. She specializes in weight loss and clearing up acne through a real, whole food diet.
Her work has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, and more. Her first book, The Real Food Grocery Guide, will be published May 2017. Visit www.mariamarlowe.com for her meal plans and recipes, or keep in touch with her on Facebook and Instagram (@maria_marlowe).