Community Corner

Your Post-Thanksgiving Detox Diet

Eat these foods to undo Thanksgiving damage.

Written by Julia Halewicz

Overindulging on Thanksgiving is unavoidable, but feeling bloated and puffy doesn't have to be. If Black Friday wasn't enough to help you shake off that tryptophan (which isn't just in the turkey you ate), try eating these foods to get rid of the bloat and put a little pep back into your step. When you head to the grocery store, stock up on foods high in potassium, folate and water, which help the body regulate sodium and flush out your system. Translation: leafy green, orange and red colored vegetables and fruits. And don't forget to drink water. Lots and lots of water. The best part? You won't have to cook a thing.

Stock up on these detox foods: 

Cantaloupe: The melon is high in potassium and folate, making it a miracle food that helps maintain key body functions including managing sodium (and ridding your body of puffiness) and digestive health. 

Tomatoes: They are a natural diuretic that help reduce puffiness.

Asparagus: Asparagus helps aid digestion, which can help fight belly bloat the day after a food binge, and is a diuretic that helps flush out your system. The high protein content can also help boost your metabolism.

Bananas: Bananas are high in potassium, which helps offset the effects of sodium in your body. 

Water: This one's a no-brainer: drink water. It helps reduce puffiness and move waste through your system.

Cranberries: Cranberries are an antioxidant with natural diuretic effects that help rid our bodies of toxins. Choose cranberry juices that don't have a lot of sugar, which counteracts the benefits.  

Avocado: Avocado is high in potassium and fiber, which help manage sodium in your body and maintain your digestive health. Just be sure to eat it without adding salt.  

Oranges: Eat an orange and help your hands and feet shrink back to their normal size thanks to potassium, which helps rid the body of sodium.

Cucumbers: Cucumbers have a high concentration of water in their composition and are natural diuretics. 

Carrots: The potassium in carrots helps reduce puffiness by helping the body get rid of sodium. 

Spinach: Few foods stack up to spinach in terms of health benefits, which is why it's no surprise the potassium in this superfood makes it great for helping to relieve swelling. 

This article is part of Mix It Up, an editorial series created in collaboration with AOL's Kitchen Daily and Huffington Post. It is dedicated to making the lives of mothers easier through articles, videos and slideshows focused on simple and creative solutions to everyday challenges. From healthy recipes to exciting ideas for a more balanced lifestyle, this section aims to become a resource for moms everywhere. 

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