6 Easy Steps to Detox After a Sugar Binge

Article by: Katie Cavuto, RD for Glamour

Yahoo! conducted a survey and found that most people consider peanut butter cups as their favoriteHalloween candy (21 percent of respondents ranked it as #1). Just one mini Reese's has 4.6 grams of sugar—and the full "serving size" (5 minis) has a whopping 23 grams of sugar—just about your entire recommended daily limit! Feeling it today? Regardless of what you ate last night, nutritionist Katie Cavuto, RD, shares an easy post-Halloween sugar detox below.

I have never been a fan of deprivation. That said, Halloween is only supposed to be one day a year, so it's important not to drag the celebration out for weeks on end. Translation: It's time to put the madness to an end! Here are a few tips to rebound from a sugar hangover and detox your body to a healthier state:

Trash the temptations. Like any good hangover, you (or your coworkers) may convince yourself that a little hair of the dog will make you feel better today. Well, this is not the case. Go cold-turkey and ditch any leftover candy that is hanging around your house or the office (give it to your mail carrier, doorman, or receptionist). If it is out of sight, you are far less likely to dip your hand into the stash.

Hydrate. Guzzling water is an integral part of any detox—sugar included. Dehydration is pretty common and has been linked to fatigue, decreased mental alertness and mood changes which, in reality, will only exacerbate your hangover, so drink up. Adequate water consumption aids the kidneys and intestines in removing waste from the body.

Rest up. Sure, sugar-laden candy can make you feel on top of the world, but beware of the crash and burn that is soon to follow. Hydrating will help you bounce back from the fatigue, as will a good night’s rest. Diving into a pot of coffee to make it through the day? Just be sure not to add more sugar! Try one packet of a healthy substitute like Stevia or just some milk in your coffee today to give your body a break.

Eat real food. Yes, you already ditched the candy, but it is also a good idea to avoid other highly processed foods and stick to whole foods from the earth like vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Avoid one common mistake: going on a juice cleanse or drinking a cold-pressed juice—especially those with fruit-centric ingredients—as the sugar content, though natural, will not help your detox. Instead, try one veggie-based juice and eat lots of cruciferous vegetables, which contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that naturally support detoxification.

Power up on protein. Consuming animal proteins and/or plant proteins can help regulate blood sugar control as they slow down the absorption of carbohydrates and improve satiety. Choose good quality animal proteins (think grass-fed, pastured, and wild-caught) whenever possible. Plant-based protein sources like nuts, seeds and beans are nutrition powerhouses. All are rich in fiber and antioxidants plus, nuts and seeds are good sources of healthy fats that will keep you satisfied after a meal and away from the candy bowl.

Sweat. Finally, get moving, be it a walk or a spin class, because the more you sweat the better you feel. A good sweat will help your body rid itself of toxins, and we know that exercise releases natural “feel-good” hormones that give you an added boost after feeling so blah from the weekend's festivities. Good luck!