Everyone loves the endless array of foods during the holiday, but no one loves the seemingly unavoidable weight gain that comes with all those cookies and that slice of ham.
So rather than stressing out about calories and exercise, we tea lovers have a secret tip to help avoid those undesirable pounds: drink tea before, during, and after any meal. It may sound too simple or even stupid, but here’s why sipping on tea before, during ,and after your holiday feast might help avoid that horrific holiday fifteen:
Why before? Filling up your tummy with a warm, fulfilling cup can help satiate your appetite before you grab for the fork. And studies show that certain teas such as green tea (we love a good cup of loose leaf Genmaicha or Gyokuro) might naturally help shed pounds. So if you sip on a nice cup of tea before hitting the plates, you are less likely to consume everything in sight.
Why during? Pairing a nice tea to go with your meal can help you pace yourself. Eating during the holidays should be like marathon not a sprint! And as you slow down and sip on tea, you might even enhance the flavors of the food. Any black tea like Assam or Golden Yunnan is a great compliment to heavy holiday dishes.
Why after? Tea after a meal can help digest even the most oily of foods. So drink a little Pu-erh or Peppermint, and help your stomach out. Digesting well and making yourself feel satisfied is the key to not overeating. Make that sip of tea a way to cleanse your mouth and a signal to put down your fork.
In short if you are worried about over-stuffing yourself, trying drinking tea to help. We’re not saying that eating all the bacon wrapped appetizers is a good idea, but we’re saying that tea can be a comforting friend when trying to remember to enjoy yourself rather than overeating during the holidays. So sip a good steep and enjoy.
