Dr. Mary Devereaux, a renowned expert in nutrition, shares some valuable tips for guilt-free parties and morning after recovery. 

Before the party, eat  or drink your nutrients whether a nutritionally dense soup or herbal blend tea. If bringing a dish, bring something with simple ingredients and nutritional value. Drinking a vegetable broth and water with raw apple cider vinegar before the event can help provide essential nutrients and stabilize insulin levels.  Try honey, lemon, apple cider vinegar and  cayenne tea before a party. Do not depend on the foods at the party to meet your nutritional needs. Party foods are “fun foods” so enjoy them as that!

At the party, Dr. Devereaux advises filling only half of your plate and taking small portions of each food to avoid overeating. Save pasta dishes and bread for last, as they can be quite filling. Opt for warm to cool drinks instead of cold ones, as the stomach functions best at about 110 degrees Fahrenheit, promoting better digestion. Opt for the homemade foods because they are usually  a healthier choice as they typically do not contain chemicals, artificial additives and genetically modified ingredients. Eat foods that assist digestion, such as pineapple, mango, honey, avocados, and fermented foods like kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut. Unless the salad looks amazing, don’t feel you have to eat a salad to be good. Fresh fruits and vegetables, if not grown by organic means, can contain pesticides and due to soil quality, very little nutrients.

After the party, take a 10-minute walk, which research shows can help regulate blood sugar levels and aid digestion. Teas like hawthorn berry and ginger are also beneficial for digestion. Food grade diatomaceous earth can also help with digestion and upset bowels. If drinking, take sea salt before you go to bed to replenish your electrolytes. For those experiencing reflux, try fennel or a cocktail of apple cider vinegar, honey, water and cayenne pepper.  The morning after the party, avoid juice, have some protein, sea salt, potatoes, rice, sprouted grain bread, and teas that may help include ginger, celery, fennel.

Following these tips will help you enjoy holiday gatherings without the post-consumption guilt and discomfort.