Preparing For A Big Meal

If you are attending an event where you will be tempted to eat more than usual, there are some things you can do that will help you not feel so uncomfortable. Here are some tips for preparing for a big meal. Some of these you may choose to do every day to be at your best.

Get a Good Night Sleep

Being well rested before you eat a big meal will help you to not be tempted to over indulge. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep can be related to overeating and weight gain. This is partly because your body produces hormones at night that control your appetite. Your sleep can also be disrupted after a meal if your body is still digesting a big or spicey meal. Give your body 3 to 4 hours to digest a meal before going to sleep. Here are some more reasons to get good sleep every night.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

You may be tempted to skip breakfast knowing that you are going to have a big meal later in the day. But this may work against you if you're hungry all day and end up snacking. Skipping breakfast can also cause your blood sugar to be unbalanced which can lead to low energy. Eating a protein rich breakfast can help you feel satisfied and is a good way of preparing for a big meal.

Prepare Your Digestion

Starting your day with a small glass of lemon water can help set the foundation for healthy digestion. It can help your body produce bile and stomach acid that you will need to digest a big meal. It also helps support your liver which is needed for removing any toxins. You can give your digestion another boost by taking bitters or drinking a bit more lemon water about 10 minutes before you eat. This will help you produce saliva in your mouth which is the first step in digestion. It will also send a signal to start producing digestive fluids to the other ograns that are involved in digestion. If you feel bloated after eating, you can try another 1/4 tsp of bitters to help ease the discomfort.

Go for a Walk

It's not uncommon to feel sleepy after you eat a big meal. This is because your blood sugar is peaking and your body is working on digesting your meal. Studies have shown that talking a short walk after a meal can help aid digestion and balance your blood sugar. Even walking for as little as 2 minutes can help. A longer walk can help you burn some calories and feel refreshed. Your blood sugar peaks 60 to 90 minutes after a meal, so this is the best time to take an easy walk.

Fill Up on Healthy Options

You can help youself not eat too much by starting your big meal with a leafy green salad and lighly seasoned vegetables. Not only is eating leafy greens and vegetables good for you, it will help your elimination and make you feel full.

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