So it’s Wednesday, you’re back at work thinking about all the fun you had at Monday’s Labor Day BBQ. The hot dogs, cheeseburger and polish sausages were great! Almost as good as the onion ranch dip you ate accompanied by about ½ a bag of potato chips. You decided to opt out of the seven-layer flag dessert cake in favor of another craft beer, glass of sangria and Star-Spangled Banner spritzer. I’m sure you’re feeling clear-headed and productive as ever…
Just in case that’s NOT the case, your friends at Whole Food Love put together a 10-Step Labor Day Detox that will have you back in fighting shape in no time! Whether it’s a traditional hangover or even a food stupor that has you fatigued and plagued with headaches, these tips will get you back into balance.
10 Step Labor Day Detox
Step #1: Beware of coffee!
The temporary jolt you’ll receive from caffeine will give you a burst of energy…with a price. Much like a sugar rush, once the caffeine crash hits you’ll be dealing with a caffeine withdrawal headache on top of the dehydration headache. Stick with water! Spa water and flavored sparkling water are great choices too.
Step #2: Repeat after me: Vitamin Water is NOT water!
As long as we have you thinking of hydrating, let’s be clear. Sports drinks, vitamin water, and those squirtable artificially flavored water-enhancers do NOT count as water. Why? Because they are all loaded with sugar, the kind that will give you a quick fix of energy only to be followed later by a crash. It’s true that electrolytes are great for rehydrating, and the best option is coconut water. It’s stacked with electrolytes, is low-calorie, nonfat, has less sugar than sports drinks and juices, and has been shown in some studies to be less irritating to your stomach.
Step #3: Grab a banana.
The potassium in bananas works against the diuretic (dehydrating) effect of alcohol. Plus the 3 natural sugars in bananas have an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Opt for this whole food choice to get you back on track.
Step #4: A fatty meal will make you feel better….as long as you choose the right kind.
It’s true, a meal high in the healthy fats (Omega 3’s) will help detox all the unhealthy saturated and trans fats that you consumed at said BBQ. Note: only healthy fats will make you feel better, bad fats (pizza, more fried food, ice cream, etc.) will make you feel even worse! Drizzle some olive oil over your vegetable salad, snack on some nuts and seeds, or opt for roasted salmon tonight with dinner.
Step #5: Go Green.
Green tea has potent antioxidant compounds that detox your body and can help rid it of potentially harmful compounds. These antioxidants also maintain strong cells and organs, including your liver, which will help you recover faster. If straight green tea is too strong for your taste buds, add a bit of honey to sweeten the deal.
Step #6: Eat a salad.
Choose a combo of spinach, carrots, beets, broccoli, blueberries, beans, citrus fruits, and craisins. These ingredients are packed with vitamins and nutrients that you lose while drinking. These veggies will also help your system clear out all the junk food from the weekend.
Step #7: Find a ginger (root).
If you have an upset stomach, or just don’t feel quite right, look for the pickled ginger that comes with sushi or even ginger tea. This powerful root has amazing calming effects and can prevent nausea in a natural way your body can handle.
Step #8: Get your B6.
You lose a lot of things during BBQs, including my favorite white jeans due to a mustard stain…You also lose a lot of vitamins during drinking. Vitamin B6 plays a big part in regulating your metabolism and immune system, so it’s important to replenish. Grab some sunflower seeds or pistachios, as these foods have the highest levels of the powerful B vitamin.
Step #9: Sweat it out!
Whether you are recovering from too much food or too much drink, sweating will help flush out toxins and improve circulation. If you’re up to it, get moving by engaging in any type of cardio. If you’re really under the weather, head to a sauna or steam room for a similar benefit.
Step #10: Sleep it off.
This may sound really obvious, but it always helps to have a reminder. If you can manage it, try to leave work at a reasonable hour, eat a veggie-packed salad for dinner and get to bed early. Your body repairs itself when you’re asleep, so give it some extra time. Haven’t you put your body through enough already? You should wake up feeling refreshed tomorrow…
Trust us, try these 10 steps to detox from your Labor Day fun and your body (and your boss) will thank you! Let us know how you felt after your detox day by leaving a comment below.
Live your WHOLE life,
Shannon & Meg
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