7 Ways To Fight The Thanksgiving Bloat

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If there’s one day of the year that we never hold ourselves back, it’s Thanksgiving. Because let’s be real, who can say no to an extra serving (or seven) of stuffing? It’s called Turkey Day for a reason! However, that doesn’t mean you should be punished for your overindulgence and feel sluggish and bloated. Instead, you just need to be tactical and know what to eat to fight the bloat. Here are our top bloat-busting tips so you can enjoy Thanksgiving to the full!

1. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar

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Apple cider vinegar is pretty much the gift that keeps on giving. Not only does it work as one of the best natural toners we’ve ever tried (find out why here) but it’s also an amazing de-bloating agent. Apple cider vinegar aids digestions and helps balance bacteria in the gut while killing any nasty toxins. It also helps re-adjust the pH levels in the body, as the increased acidity allows your body to absorb more nutrients. We can’t deny it, it doesn’t taste great, but the benefits are unbelievable. We like to put a tablespoon in a glass of water and gulp it down in one!

2. Watch Your Fiber Intake

Fiber is an essential part of any diet (it’s what makes you poop) so incorporating some fiber-rich foods into your Thanksgiving meal will help aid digestion and bust the bloat. Although you have to be careful, as too much fiber can upset your stomach: gals should aim for 25 grams of fiber each day, and guys should aim for 30 grams. Our favorite fiber-rich snacks include a handful of raspberries and strawberries or a banana! Vegetables also contain a lot of fiber – the general rule is the darker the vegetable, the more fiber it contains, so foods like eggplant or zucchini are ideal!

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3. Drink Water

We know it sounds strange to load up on water when you already feel full AF and the thought of putting anything else past your mouth is stomach-churning. However, it’s often dehydration that causes you to bloat, as when you’re dehydrated your body retains water to compensate for the lack of moisture. By regularly sipping H2O, you’ll also help flush toxins or excess salt through the body. You should try and aim for two liters of water a day, and stay clear of sparkling water as this will only deliver air directly to your stomach, worsening the bloat.

4. Get Up and Get Out 

If there’s one thing we love even more than Thanksgiving, it’s Black Friday – while we can try and fight the urge for a second serving (usually unsuccessfully), we definitely can’t say no to discounted beauty products. And like the great Carrie Bradshaw once said, “Shopping is my cardio,” so try and resist the urge to sit on the couch and get to the mall (or better the countryside) and hit the sales. Even if you’re not a big shopper, any form of gentle exercise will help debloat, as by getting your heart rate up you’ll boost blood flow, which will help move food through your digestive system more efficiently.

You can also try 15 minutes of detox yoga, as the combination of controlled breathing and gentle movement will relax the nervous system, help stimulate digestion, and alleviate gas. If you’re a gym bunny, make sure you work out in the morning, as this way your body will be in a calorie deficit, and as glycogen levels decrease during sleep, your body will use its fat stores for energy.

5. Sip On Herbal Tea

Herbal teas are a fast track ticket to feeling great: think of them as your get out of jail card when it comes to Thanksgiving bloat. One of our fave detox teas is green tea with an added slice of lemon. Green tea is an amazing fat burner and lemon will help detoxify your stomach, rebalance pH levels, and aid general digestion.

We’re also big fans of cinnamon and apple tea (so delicious!!), as the pectin in the apples helps you feel fuller for longer, potentially minimizing your craving for a third helping! The cinnamon also helps stabilize blood sugar levels, so you won’t get those 9 o’clock sugar cravings. For more detox drinks, check out our fave beautifying teas here.

6. Slow Down

We know it’s easier said than done, especially when you have your fam’s annual yams sitting in front of you, but try not to eat them as quickly as possible. If you eat your food too quickly, you can end up swallowing gulps of air, which will make you feel bloated. Plus, if you eat more mindfully, you’re more likely to eat less as your brain has time to process what you’re eating. It takes your brain 20 minutes to register it’s full, so take your time and get chatting!

7. Laugh Out Loud

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If by the time Black Friday hits and you don’t feel like doing any exercise, then the next best thing for your body, mind, and soul is laughter. Seriously, the saying “there’s no better medicine than laughter” is true. Laughter literally gives your body a mini workout – an hour of laughing can burn as many calories as a 30-minute weight-lifting session!

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Happy Thanksgiving!! Let us know your fave Thanksgiving tradition in the comments below!