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We love the winter holidays and Christmas is going to be amazing this year! There’s so much good food to eat and so much eggnog to drink. And that’s when our clothes start to feel a bit snug. After each party we tend to wake up the next day super bloated. These are the anti-inflammatory foods we’re relying on to help keep our bellies from looking like Santa!
[Photos: Shutterstock]
Ginger
There’s more to ginger than decorating a plate of sushi. This sweet and spicy, anti-inflammatory food aids digestion and helps metabolize excess adipose tissue (that’s a fancy word for fat). “Ginger also decreases hunger and bloating,” says Dr. Marizelle Arce, a naturopathic physician. Use fresh ginger to make tea or to add a kick to chicken salad.
Avocado
The benefits of avocado are boundless: it’s delicious, versatile, satisfying and anti-inflammatory. “The healthy fats in avocado decrease your appetite and supply your body with a healthy balance of minerals,” says Dr. Arce. We love slicing an avocado and serving it with sea salt and a touch of lemon.
Berries
Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries – any old berry will do when it comes to de-bloating. Why? “Low-sugar fruits rich in antioxidants decrease inflammation and assist in weight loss because they help you keep your carb and sugar intake in check, preventing insulin spikes,” says Colette Heimowitz, a nutritionist at Atkins Nutritionals. When insulin gets free reign, excess sugar sends your blood sugar skyrocketing followed by a crash, then it gets converted to fat.
Fish
Fish such as salmon and sardines are an excellent source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats, says Heimowitz. That’s key to losing weight because omega-3s aid in fat burning. Don’t think of fish as exclusively for dinner. Seared salmon over quinoa and roasted broccoli makes a filling lunch.
