By Robyn Spillane
As we are now entering the festive and holiday season it’s good to plan ahead. This time of year, when your body is consistently bombarded with alcohol and a diet high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar it’s good to be mindful of your choices.
Here are a few tips on how to avoid weight gain, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, moodiness, a broken sleep pattern and really enjoy the festive and holiday season.
The body can become acidic from alcohol and the foods we eat. This can cause stiffness, muscular aches and pain and a general feeling of unwellness. This is what you can do to support your liver and avoid the above;
On rising have ½ lemon in warm water followed by a glass of water
Followed by a vegetable juice
Here is a suggested blend together.
- Handful of baby spinach
- 2 sticks of celery
- 2 carrots
- Cucumber
- ½ green apple
- Ginger
- 1 cup of filtered water
- Ice
Most juice bars can make this blend or a similar healthy juice.
For additional support for your liver I suggest you add 1 scoop of G Tox powder (Metagenics) to your juice. It contains spirulina, coriander and cleavers which are traditionally used for tissue cleansing, liver and kidney detoxification.
Water hydration is a must to avoid headaches, fatigue and will also help you feel full and cleanse the body. I would recommend drinking 2 to 3 litres of filtered water per day (depending on your body weight).
Exercise should be part of your daily routine, daily options include;
- Walking
- Swimming
- Running
- Yoga (keeps you flexible and will improve your sleep pattern)
These Vitamins and herbs will also support your body;
- B Complex vitamin (my recommendation is Tresos B by Eagle)
- St. Mary’s Thistle (available in tablets, liquid or tea)
- G Tox
- Vit C 2000mg per day
- Probiotic 1 capsule daily
Here are some suggestions on how to avoid weight gain over the Christmas and holiday season;
- Don’t starve yourself during the day and thereby avoid arriving hungry at a function
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Control your portion size. If your will power is weak and you know you will want to finish everything in front of you, use an entrée plate instead of a dinner plate. That way you are sure to eat less.
Here are some foods to enjoy;
- Vegetable sticks, rice crackers
- Hummus, beetroot, avocado dip
- Nuts or seeds
- Sushi
- Fruit high in antioxidants (blueberry’s, strawberry’s, mango)
- Salad (a variety of colour, orange, red, green, yellow) 2 serves a day
Here are some foods to avoid;
- Deep fried food
- Creamy dips and sugary sauces
- Pastry’s, pies, sausage rolls, spinach triangles
- Lollies, candy canes, chocolates, cakes