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Every holiday season, we all have a inclination to endure the Christmas and New Year indulgences: the sinful eating, imbibing and sleep privation brought on by all those holiday celebrations. While the fun may be stupendous, it also induces indigestion, gas, bloating, headaches and puffy eyes.

Here are a few tips for undoing your holiday indulgences:

Salty food choices cause fluid retention and swelling; those created with refined sugar induce spikes in blood sugar and, hence, cravings. Alcohol and caffeine cause dehydration. Alcohol acutally dehydrates the blood. In order for the body’s regenerative system to work, toxins must be flushed out. The natural recommendation of eight glasses of water per day is not enough to detox. In order to detox your system while likewise replenishing substantial vitamins and minerals, we advise that you include, for at least four days, unsweetened fruit juices in the morning and vegetable juices in the afternoon in addition to your normal diet.

During the first two days after your indulgences, ahead you eat or drink anything else, make 1 cup hot water combined with the juice of one-half lemon, 1/16 teaspoon cayenne pepper and one tablespoonful maple syrup. Lemons are packed with bioflavonoids, which act as excellent detoxifying catalysts. Cayenne pepper is an anti-inflammatory. Maple syrup gives sweetness.

About one-half an hour after drinking the hot water and lemon drink, blend up a breakfast smoothie of fruit and ground flax seeds. Good options are apples, peaches, berries, pineapple, kiwi, pears and oranges. Add a tablespoon of ground seeds and half a teaspoon of fresh ginger. Do not add protein powder or yogurt in your smoothie.

Prepare a very simple breakfast only if you feel hungry. Superb choices are yogurt, a protein powder shake, eggs, or oatmeal. For lunch have a low-fat meat like fish or chicken and a big salad with a simple dressing made with olive oil and lemon.

Later in the afternoon try vegetable juices made with carrots, beets, cucumber, celery, parsley and spinach. If it’s an option, wheat grass juice is a wonderful nourisher and detoxifier. For dinner, cook up a cleansing soup with a conservative amount of meat or tofu, and noodles or rice. Make the soup broth from real vegetables, not from a mix or can.

Here are additional resources about how to cure bloating.

Women’s Health Weight Loss Magazine

How to Detox Safely