10 Keys to Party Season Survival

Stressed out about the holidays? Do you want to have your cake, drinks, cookies and turkey dinner–and eat them too? Here a few simple tricks that can help you make it through the holidays with your energy level–and waistline–intact.

My ten keys to party days are:

1. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration, the reason many people feel “hung over” from drinking too much or eating too much heavy food.

2. Take a high-quality B-complex and vitamin C supplement, both of which are depleted by alcohol consumption and stress and let’s face it: the holidays seem to have plenty of both.

3. Eat fruit–the best food to keep the lymphatic system cleansed and moving properly. The lymph system tends to get bogged down thanks to heavy food and less exercise during the holidays.

4. Eat a large green salad for lunch and dinner if you’re having dinner at home.

5. Eat a small healthy snack every two hours to stabilize blood sugar. Wild blood sugar fluctuations can deplete your energy, cause weight gain, and depress your immune system, making you more vulnerable to those cold and flu bugs found in droves at most parties.

6. Avoid eating sweets, synthetic sweeteners, or foods sweetened with them. You’ll probably get enough of these treats at the party.

7. Be sure to fit some exercise into your day. A minimum of twenty minutes of vigorous activity will get your circulation going, improve lymph flow, increase energy, and help your body handle the stress of the holiday season.

8. Avoid margarine and foods made with hydrogenated fats. These toxic foods make your body’s detox organs sluggish and require huge amounts of energy for digestion. They also lead to weight gain.

9. Avoid foods that contain synthetic colors, preservatives, and other additives. By avoiding them throughout the day, you are giving your liver a break so it can devote its energy to metabolizing holiday foods.

10. Don’t overindulge at the party. Treat yourself, but try not to overdo it!

Adapted with permission of the author from The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox by Michelle Schoffro Cook (Wiley / November 2006 / ISBN: 0-470-83509-5)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Cassandra P.

6:15PM PDT on Jul 24, 2011

I disagree with number 5. If I go and eat every two hours, not only do I end up full the whole day and barely able to stuff down dinner, but sick as a dog. THAT much food every two hours, no matter how menial it seems, does and will add up. Plus its no wonder many of us gain weight, especially if we do this! I can only tolerate 2 meals a day and one modest, yet healthful snack. Any more, and I get ill from over-eating.