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Diet

Seven highly effective ways to outsmart holiday bingeing

From office cocktail parties to festive family dinners, here's our guilt-free guide to indulging with none of the typical weight gain - or morning-after regrets!
Seven highly effective ways to outsmart holiday bingeing

Outsmart holiday bingeing

Take charge of a hangover

Feeling rough? Skip the coffee first thing (it'll only dehydrate you more) and toss back a shot of wheat grass. Healthy foodies love this super green for its ability to help cleanse the liver and rebalance your body's acidity levels. If that seems too intense, try some fresh ginger tea, which contains gingerols that protect your liver and can ease nausea. Or eat some eggs: They contain cysteine, an amino acid that breaks down alcohol-induced toxins. Finally, chug some all-natural coconut water, which is packed with energizing electrolytes. Remember to check labels to avoid brands with added sugar.

Glass of wheatgrass

Plan when you can

One great way to avoid holiday burnout: Block off in advance which nights you plan to go out and which ones you'll stay in, says Debra Boutin, registered dietician and chair of the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science at Bastyr University in Washington State. And slot no more than three "out" evenings into your week.

Seven highly effective ways to outsmart holiday bingeing

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Get pleasure from people (not food)

With so much focus on food during the holidays, it's easy to forget the social side of the season. "Find more pleasure in the people you're with and the joy of the moment," says Boutin. Socializing during meals also slows down eating and wards off weight gain, says a study from the University of Rhode Island. Researchers found women who ate more slowly experienced greater fullness and lower caloric intake compared with quick eaters.

Seven highly effective ways to outsmart holiday bingeing

Walk (or dance) it off

A study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health shows the average person gains half a pound during the holidays. But fear not: Even small amounts of exercise can help ward off an increase in weight, say researchers from Duke University Medical Center. Their study found just 30 minutes of daily walking can prevent weight gain, and additional time on the treadmill significantly improves weight loss. So make the most of the dance floor at every party — dancing is a fun and painless way to incorporate exercise!

Seven highly effective ways to outsmart holiday bingeing

Curb cravings with chia seeds

These little seeds, which come from a flowering plant in the mint family, may help you avoid overindulging. When exposed to water, the tiny omega-3-rich seeds increase in size and weight without adding calories. Add a handful to a glass of water before hitting your next holiday potluck, and your body will feel full before you go back for that second (or third!) serving. Click here for our Super Chia Breakfast recipe.

chia seed pile

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Look on the bright side

Staying positive is more important than ever during the holidays when stress can hit an all-time high. Boutin proposes staying optimistic by looking to the future and planning your New Year's resolutions. "Even if it's not a magical January 1 date, set goals for getting back on track so you can feel good about having a fresh start," she says.

Happy Young Woman Outdoors

Be the DD

Taking alcohol out of the equation can save you hundreds of calories a night. Both your waistline and your friends will thank you!

Seven highly effective ways to outsmart holiday bingeing

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