How to detox safely after food binge?

Did you happen to finish off the potato chips, large pizza, ice cream and that bottle of wine all by yourself this weekend?
The fallout of binge earing is not just tummy discomfort. The guilt and regret can be overwhelming. Periodic binge eating is quite common and the good news is, there are safe ways to help your body recover.

1. Be kind to yourself

Do not beat yourself up for eating a little extra. Don’t go and step on the weighing scale. It is likely you will see slightly higher numbers and thats not an information which is going to help.

2. Drink up more water

Water helps remove any excesses from the body, helps in digestion, helps get rid of water retention following excess salt intake and is good for skin, teeth and kidneys.

3. Get moving

Physical activity increases gut motility to push all of that extra junk- the calories, the fat, and the sugars, out of the system. Movement also triggers the brain to release dopamine and serotonin, feel-good hormones that can boost your mood and help you settle mentally. Walking, cycling or yoga can do the trick. Tackling some chores such as decluttering the wardrobe or cleaning out the kitchen can get the job done too.

4. Don’t purge

Taking forcible action to undo a food binge, whether by vomiting, using laxatives or exercising excessively to suddenly subtract consumed calories isn’t a healthy solution. These are eating disorder behaviors and they can cause serious damage to the body.

5. Consider a detox day

Give your digestive system a break by going for a detox day where you consume fruits, steamed veggies and water only the entire day. This will get rid of retained water and flush out the colon of any build up.

To avoid binge eating in general, eat your meals on time, include fiber and protein in every meal, stay hydrated and get enough sleep. Whenever you head for a weekend party (where bingeing can happen), make sure that you have had your meal beforehand. This will prevent excess food intake and also prevent ill effects of alcohol. Consult your healthcare provider before embarking on any kind of detox.