I can immediately recognize the effects of this overeating when my pants get too tight, but I never thought about the damage I'm doing to my body until I read this article. I found out that as I’m loading up on calories (yum!) my body is being forced into overdrive as it tries to undo the damage done by the harmful free radicals produced as I digest food. (Free-radicals attack cells and can promote the development of chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes and cancer.) And, of course, the more I eat the more free radicals I produce. Bummer huh?
But there's something I can do to rebound—research suggests that these 3 foods will help undo the damage caused by a rich meal:
1. Eat fruit.
If you've indulged in a decadent meal, follow it with fruit.
Eating antioxidant-rich fruits—including berries, grapes, kiwi and
cherries—helps minimize the harmful free-radical damage that occurs
after a meal. Eating caloric meals without antioxidant-rich foods
like fruits and vegetables, can have harmful effects over time.
Enjoy fruit for dessert with nearly-instant, and very
yummy, Cherries with Ricotta and Toasted Almonds.
Or try these 15-minute fruit desserts for Citrus-Infused Strawberries and more.
2. Drizzle vinegar.
Having a tablespoon of vinegar with your meal, perhaps drizzled on
your salad, may temper the spike in blood sugar that occurs after
eating a big, carbohydrate-rich meal.
Get more than 20 delicious recipes for salads &
dressings here.
For most of us, a steep rise in blood sugar triggers an equally rapid drop—which stokes appetite. This sugar surge is particularly a problem for people with diabetes, who can't clear glucose effectively (over time, excess glucose in the blood damages tissues).
3. Drink wine.
The antioxidants in red wine may reduce the negative impact of
high-fat foods by lowering levels of a compound—produced in the
body after eating fat—that's linked with heart disease. Cook
with red wine or enjoy a glass with dinner. But remember,
moderation is key! (Drink
too much? Check out the truth about these 5 Hangover
Cures.)
By Michelle Edelbaum
Michelle is the associate editor of interactive for EatingWell Media Group. In between editing and writing, she enjoys sampling the tasty results of the easy, healthy recipes that the EatingWell Test Kitchen cooks are working on.
Related Links from EatingWell:
- 6 Breakfasts to Beat Holiday Weight Gain
- Have dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less with our Quick Healthy Dinner Recipes.
- Sign up for EatingWell's free weekly newsletters and get healthy recipes, diet tips and nutrition news delivered right to your inbox.
- Get a free trial issue when you subscribe to EatingWell Magazine.
