Your Post-Binge, 3-Day Diet Detox Plan

An extra serving of sweet potatoes, a sliver of pecan pie, a Campari cocktail or two. By itself, each of these festive splurges seems so innocent. But like holiday presents, dietary indulgences come at a cost. Most of us never lose the 1 to 2 pounds we gain between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve—and over the years, they add up. The damage is even worse when December's hearty eating patterns take hold and last well into spring, as they often do.

That is why we developed this 3-day quick weight loss plan—to get you out of party excess mode and put you on a healthy eating track for the new year. It's simple, fast, and effective. Stick with it and you will have those extra pounds gone before you take down a single decoration.

BREAK THE CYCLE
The Splurge: Those dreams of sugarplums dancing in your head may be more like a nightmare brought on by too many sweet treats. While experts used to dismiss the notion of sugar addiction, a growing body of research suggests that the sweet stuff can hijack the same brain circuitry that's affected by drugs and alcohol, leading to a vicious cycle of cravings and binges. And holiday desserts with high levels of both sugar and fat provide a double whammy. The sugar hooks you, while the fat piles on the pounds. 

The Solution: Eliminate desserts that are rich in sugar and fat for at least 3 days—7 to 10 would be even better. This will help quell cravings while you start to reestablish a taste for naturally sweet foods, such as fruit and starchy vegetables.

RESIZE YOUR BELLY
The Splurge: As the "it's a holiday, I'll diet tomorrow" mentality sets in, one of your natural appetite control systems—the stomach's network of stretch receptors—starts losing its effectiveness. Normally, when your stomach is full, these receptors send messages to the brain that say "I'm satisfied." But prolonged periods of overeating make the receptors less sensitive. This helps explain why that feeling of "I'm so full, I'll never eat again" is followed the next day by the sense that you're even hungrier than usual.

The Solution: If you keep eating the same high-calorie foods but merely reduce the quantity, your stretch receptors will signal your brain that you're starving and need emergency rations—now. But you can short-circuit this by eating healthy-size servings of low-calorie, high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Their bulk will keep the receptors happy while avoiding excess calories.   

CUT DOWN ON COCKTAILS
The Splurge: So you had a few too many spiked eggnogs. The problem isn't just the sugar and fat. The alcohol itself packs in 7 calories per gram (compared with 4 for protein and carbs and 9 for fat). And the stomach and brain don't register liquid calories in the same way as solids, so it's easy to go right on eating and drinking—without compensating for the added calories. 

The Solution: Satisfying, low-calorie beverages can boost metabolism and even temper your hunger. Tea (lose the cream and sugar) has zero calories and lifts metabolic rate. Or prepare a pitcher of flavored water. Add sliced oranges, lemons, and limes to a pitcher—or toss in berries or sprigs of mint or lemongrass. They're refreshing and give you healing antioxidants. 

YOUR 3-DAY DETOX DIET
Now that you know the principles, you're ready to jump-start your new year's resolution. Our diet plan provides about 1,250 calories a day. To cut the craving for sweets, we've eliminated most refined sugars. To keep your stretch receptors happy, we feature plant-based foods that are rich in fiber. And instead of high-calorie cocktails, we give you delicious low- or no-cal drinks. If you're not back to your normal weight in 3 days, repeat for a total of 6 days.

DAY 1 

BREAKFAST:

• Egg white-veggie scramble: ½ c egg whites (or 4 egg whites) with 1 c chopped mixed vegetables (tomato, bell pepper, baby spinach leaves), prepared with cooking spray
• 1 slice toasted whole grain bread or ½ whole wheat English muffin with 2 tsp 100% fruit spread
• 1 c fat-free Greek-style yogurt Coffee or tea with ¼ c fat-free milk 

SNACK: 1 sheet graham cracker with 2 tsp natural (no added sugar) peanut butter 

LUNCH:

• Hummus-veggie pita sandwich: ½ whole grain pita spread with 1 tsp deli mustard and 1 Tbsp hummus, then stuffed with vegetables (bell peppers, sprouts, lettuce, tomato) and 2 slices avocado
• 1 medium orange or 2 tangerines
• Unsweetened herbal tea (hot or iced) with cinnamon stick 

SNACK: 1 piece fresh fruit or 1 c mixed vegetables with 2 tsp oil and vinegar dressing 

DINNER:

• 3 oz grilled salmon brushed with citrus glaze while cooking
• Citrus glaze: 1 Tbsp each orange juice, honey, and reduced-sodium soy sauce
• ½ c cooked brown rice prepared with 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 c cooked winter squash, broccoli, or asparagus 

DESSERT: ½ c fat-free plain Greek-style yogurt with 2 tsp 100% fruit spread 

NUTRITION 1,288 cal, 91 g pro, 181 g carb, 27 g fiber, 26 g fat, 4.5 g sat fat, 1,322 mg sodium, 82 mg cholesterol

DAY 2 

BREAKFAST:

• 1 c low-fat (1%), no-added-salt cottage cheese with ½ c pineapple chunks
• 5 whole grain crackers
• Coffee or tea with ¼ c fat-free milk 

SNACK: ½ turkey sandwich: 1 slice whole grain bread with 2 oz low-sodium or reduced-sodium turkey breast, lettuce, tomato, and 1 tsp mustard 

LUNCH:

• Pasta tuna salad: 1 c cooked whole grain pasta spirals or bow ties with 1 c chopped cherry tomatoes and our tuna salad
• Tuna salad: 4 oz water-packed tuna mixed with 2 Tbsp chopped white onion, 1 Tbsp fat-free Greek-style yogurt, and 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• Water with sprigs of mint or lemongrass 

SNACK: 1 medium orange 

DINNER:

• 3 oz broiled or grilled boneless chicken breast
• 1 medium baked sweet potato topped with 2 tsp light spread
• 2 c tossed field greens drizzled with 1 Tbsp vinaigrette dressing
• Unsweetened herbal tea (hot or iced) with lemon 

NUTRITION 1,242 cal, 122 g pro, 146 g carb, 26 g fiber, 21.5 g fat, 4 g sat fat, 1,565 mg sodium, 162 mg cholesterol

DAY 3 

BREAKFAST:

• 1 c cooked oatmeal topped with ¼ cup fat-free plain or vanilla Greek-style yogurt and 1 c berries
• Coffee or tea with ¼ c fat-free milk 

SNACK: 1 oz low-fat cheese with 5 whole grain crackers 

LUNCH:

• 1 c low-sodium lentil soup or minestrone soup
• 2 c mixed salad greens with ¼ c low-sodium water-packed tuna or low-sodium diced turkey and 1 tsp olive oil with lemon juice or balsamic vinegar
• Unsweetened herbal tea with cinnamon stick 

SNACK: 1 piece fresh fruit (banana or apple) or 1 c berries, with 8 oz fat-free plain or vanilla Greek-style yogurt 

DINNER:

• Veggie burger on whole wheat bun topped with 2 slices avocado
• Spinach salad: 1½ c baby spinach; ¼ red onion, sliced; ¼ c fresh mandarin orange slices; and 1 tsp olive oil with balsamic vinegar
• Seltzer water with sliced lemon, orange, or lime 

NUTRITION 1,277 cal, 86 g pro, 173 g carb, 34 g fiber,32 g fat, 5 g sat fat, 1,577 mg sodium, 38 mg cholesterol


Let me know if you found this 'post-holiday detox' plan helpful. Do you struggle with weight gain over the holidays? Let me know tricks and tips you've learnt to help battle the weight gain.

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