7 Tips For Reducing Post-Party Bloat Slideshow

1. Eat Something

Maybe you ate too many fried potato skins or knocked back too many drinks, but skipping breakfast the next day is not going to make you feel better. Putting something nutritious in your stomach as soon as you get up will help get your body going and get your feeling better. 

 

What you eat matters, too. Drank too much? Opt for something with carbohydrates, like baked oatmeal or toast, as the carbohydrates act like a sponge and will take up any excess alcohol in your system. Salt- and fat-rich foods will only make the bloating feeling worse. Potassium-rich foods like bananas and cantaloupe will help to reduce the excess sodium in your body, while naturally diuretic foods like celery, cucumber, and asparagus help, too. Feeling a bit, well, backed up? Probiotic-rich yogurt will help get things moving again. Or, do as Real Housewives of New York City star (of SkinnyGirl Cocktails fame) Bethenny Frankel does after a weekend of too much fun:  Make a big pot of puréed vegetable soup

2. Re-Hydrate

Drink lots of water. Believe it or not, more water will you help re-hydrate and get rid of that puffy feeling. Plus, it will fill you up so you won't be inclined to over-indulge again.

 

Prefer juice over water? Add lemon, lime, or orange slices to the water for added flavor, or add add one parts fruit juice to three parts water. Wondering what juice to use? Check out our guide to the best fruits and vegetables for juicing for ideas.

3. Caffeinate

A little caffeine doesn't hurt either. While some go for a cup of coffee, which acts as a mild diuretic, to help perk up their mood better post-party, a better option is green tea. It's not determined if it will help you lose weight, but it's full of antioxidants and the amino acid theanine, which is thought to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. 

4. Exercise

Even just a little bit helps get your blood moving. Go for a walk or head to the gym for a sweat-inducing workout. Just 30 minutes will have you feeling (and looking) better. Back at home, refuel with a healthy yogurt and fruit parfait.

5. Take a Bath

Do as Heidi Klum does before she appears in front of the cameras: take a bath in Epsom salts. The salts and minerals in the bath help to draw out any excess fluid lingering in your tissues (plus, it's relaxing).

6. Lay Off the Booze

While some swear by having a little bit of the hair of the dog that bit them to recover from the prior night's excesses, do as Britney Spears does and avoid alcohol and bubbly drinks like soda and seltzer will help reduce that bloated feeling. Water is best, but peppermint tea, lemon water, electrolyte-packed coconut water, kombucha, and fresh juices are other tastier alternatives.

7. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

When you've over-taxed your body by staying out late, drinking too much, and eating food that you don't normally eat, don't compound the problem by skimping on sleep. A good night's rest will help your body normalize and you'll feel ready to face the day.