Coping With Holiday Overindulgence

Even the most well intentioned of healthy eaters can't help but feel a little "urpy" by the time we make it to the other side of the holidays.  We know well what to NOT eat at this point - if I ever see another cream sauce, it will be too soon - but here are some foods and beverages which can help set you right again.

Whole Grains

Whether baked into bread, or as part of a nutty granola cereal, whole grains can be a big help for post-holiday "regularity issues."  I don't think I need to spell it out any further, do I?  

There are a lot of yogurt commercials which promise to help with these problems, and the bacterial cultures in fresh yogurt can definitely help.  However, whole grains provide the bulk and broom-like cleansing power that some people really need, after several days of eating meals which are low in fiber but high in (e.g.) cheese.

Broth

There are a number of recipes floating about (ha ha, get it?) for broths which can help settle your system.  Broth is an excellent food for those times when your system just needs a bit of palliative care.  

The proteins in broth are partially broken down already, which makes them easy to digest.  Broth is filling without having too many calories.  Broth is almost completely made of water, which is something you need more of this time of year.  And best of all, you can use broth as a delivery system for healthy herbs like garlic and rosemary.

Ginger

If you are suffering from an upset stomach or a groggy feeling (these have been my particular curse this holiday season) ginger is an excellent treatment.  Fresh ginger root can be purchased at most grocery stores - for this purpose, skip the powdered spice.  

To make fresh ginger tea, slice the fresh ginger into fine slices and drop them into a teacup.  Pour in boiling water, and let it steep for several minutes.  For an extra bit of kick, add a pinch of green tea leaves.

Ginger also pairs well with garlic, which is an all-purpose cure for just about anything that ails you.  If you're up for something a bit spicy, gently simmer garlic cloves and fresh ginger in chicken broth for about 15 minutes.  

Dandelion Root

Dandelion root can be hard to come by this time of year, and you may want to start hoarding some in your freezer over summer.  Dandelion root is a traditional herbal tonic, with a history of use that goes back thousands of years.  

Make dandelion root tea by steeping a bit of dandelion root in boiling water for several minutes.  Add honey and lemon to help mask the taste, which can be fairly awful.

Sauna

Many cultures swear by the curative powers of a good sauna, from the sweat lodge tradition of the Native Americans to the "alternate sauna with a naked run into the snow" favored by the Swedish.  If you're feeling a bit poorly, drink lots of water and sweat it out!