You don’t have to go as far as handing out toothbrushes - there are some simple superfoods to help you beat the horror of post-Halloween health and take care of your liver. This is a wonderful time of year - the leaves and light are golden. The air is crisp. If the sun is out, the outdoors calls. In the dark of night ghouls and gravestones begin to emerge on neighbourhood lawns. Witches and werewolves knock at your door. Suddenly there is a lot more candy around the office and home. If your kids head out to Trick or Treat literal bags show up each year. Don’t get caught up in the sugar and artificial flavours. Don’t get caught up in the easy energy fix of candy at hand. This is a chance to stick to your plan of good nutrition and to have that plan carry you through the winter holiday season. You want to pay special attention to your liver this time of year. It works hard to detoxify your body of sugar and other chemical overindulgences of Halloween. And don’t forget to get rid of the extra candy in your house - if it's not there you can’t eat it - surprise the last few kids before you shut the door and fill up those bags!

Strategies to come clean after candy

Don’t stop eating

If you suddenly decide to cut calories after a day or two of candy binging your body will think there is a need to go into survival mode and will hold onto all the calories it can. Choose low-calorie, high fiber foods like kale and other leafy greens.

 

Try Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle acts as a potent liver protectant. It helps improve liver function and promotes detoxifying activity throughout the body. Helping care for your liver will help it perform its over 500 functions to keep your entire body running at its best. A little care can help it beat all the processed goodies of the season.

 

Consider sugar regulating supplements

Boost your bodies ability to beat sugary processed foods by following up with some supplements that help it process sugar, like:

1. Cinnamon - Research has shown that a ½ tsp a day of cinnamon supports healthy glucose metabolism and blood sugar levels. In fact, USDA scientists have identified unique compounds in cinnamon bark that increase in vitro sugar metabolism 20 times.
2. Chromium: Chromium helps the body regulate and reduce blood sugar levels. Studies show it can help prevent type 2 diabetes too!
3. Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA): This anti-oxidant supplement can help you boost insulin sensitivity and deal with sugar. It can be found in spinach, broccoli and flax but supplements doses are more dense to better target recovery.

Hit back with greens

There are a number of fantastic products that are made from dense greens. When you can tackle several servings of greens with one scoop of a supplement you are well on your way to fighting back from Halloween candy horrors and helping your liver beat sugar. Vegan Pure Keto Greens 

is packed full of micronutrients, antioxidants and good fats that work to protect cells and help with the building and repair of body tissues.. Similarly Garden of Life's Raw Organic Protein & Greens is loaded with chlorophyll and trace minerals for energy and support of already healthy blood sugar levels.

 

Supplement sulphur

Your body sometimes knows what it needs - if you have woken up craving eggs after a night of drinking or indulging in sweets your body is yearning for liver detoxifying nutrient sulfur. Sulfur is a naturally occurring compound found in protein-rich foods and certain vegetables. It is one of the main components of detoxification in the body. You can find it in runny egg yolks, brussel sprouts, cabbage and many other foods.

 

Think acid - vinegar or lemon

 Just like cleaning your house - lemon and vinegar are great cleansers for the body. Lemon has antioxidants, can help stimulate bowel movements, and help clear your urinary tract. Simply add a splash of lemon to your water. Research shows that vinegar can help counteract sugar and other carbs. It seems to level out the glucose spikes that can occur after a meal. Adding an apple cider vinegar can also bring other enzyme benefits and good bacteria. It can also be found in capsule form.

 

There is always next year

If Halloween didn’t go well for you this year consider these tips for the next:

• Buy late - don’t have candy sitting around the house for weeks leading up to Oct. 31.
• Be generous - as the evening goes on don’t hold back - give all the candy away.
• Choose wisely - buy candy you don’t like, then you won’t be tempted to snack.