Harper\'s Bazaar USA - 12.2019

F

irst, it’s a cute little pig in a blanket (what’s the

harm?). Then you find yourself justifying the

mini quiches because “they’re protein!” Sud-

denly it’s pie for breakfast and snacking on

peppermint bark mid-morning. The problem

with the five weeks of cocktail parties, cookie

swaps, and office drinks known as the Holidays

isn’t just the calories but the downward spiral

we enter in late November. It’s only until the

New Year that we start contemplating the unthink-

able, like the Master Cleanse or Dry January.

It’s not a lack of willpower. When you over-

indulge, “it’s as if you’ve been taken over by

body snatchers,” says Mark Hyman, M.D., a

functional medicine doctor and author of Eat

Fat, Get Thin and Food Fix (out in February).

“Certain foods trigger the pleasure center of the brain by flooding

it with dopamine, just like alcohol and cocaine do,” says Hyman,

who adds that studies have shown that rats actually prefer sugar

over cocaine. Here, some ways to avoid falling into the trap.

Don’t starve. Plenty of people employ the “diet till dinner” strat-

egy if they know they’re going out at night, but the reality is that

many of us have one drink and find ourselves demolishing the

cheese board. Instead a trick to try is to snack on healthy fats (like

almond butter, avocado, and walnuts) before you leave home so

you’re not starving. Once you arrive at the party, drink a glass of

sparkling water first, then have a cocktail. Or go alcohol-free and

order a kombucha—you’ll pat yourself on the back in the morning.

Get your gut in check. Yet another good reason to fill up on

crudités: “Foods with fiber and plant polyphenols nourish the

good bacteria,” says Hyman. In contrast, sugary foods feed the bad

bugs in your microbiome, which sets off a chemical reaction that

actually makes you crave more. “It’s a vicious cycle,” he adds.

Keep your routine. A frenetic schedule can lead to out-of-control

eating patterns. “Meditation, walking, or a creative outlet helps you

remain sharp and stops mindless indulging,” says Stephanie Krikorian,

author of Zen Bender. Other ways to regain your equilibrium include

waking up each day around the same time and going to bed by 10 p.m.

Also, be selective with your invites. “Friendships won’t end because

you missed a party,” says Alexis Arvidson, a New York acupuncturist.

Reboot your system. If you feel yourself slipping, break the cycle

of sugar addiction with a dietary reset, like Hyman’s 10-Day Detox

Diet (drhyman.com). Cut out all inflammation inducers, such as

dairy, gluten, alcohol, and sugar; and stick with good fats, non-starchy

veggies, and protein. “Going cold turkey gives your

body a chance to drop the weight,” Hyman says.

“It also helps rewire the brain.” If that sounds too

draconian, he suggests time-restricted eating, i.e.,

eating only within an eight-hour window each

day (like 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), and stopping noshing

at least three hours before bed. This will give your

digestion a rest, since it will be working only eight hours a day.

Give yourself options. The easiest way to make sure you can

fit into your jeans during the holidays? Have a selection to choose

from. “I have a jeans wardrobe,” says Susie Crippen, a cofounder

of J Brand denim. “Doesn’t everybody?” Crippen owns some 35

pairs, ranging from waist size 25 to 33. Also, keep in mind, notes

Hyman, that what seems like weight gain may actually be puffi-

ness as a result of inflammation, not fat. The bloat will go down

in 72 hours on his regimen. But in the end, “it’s five freaking

weeks,” Crippen says. “Just live and enjoy your life.” ■

EAT

DRINK

AND STILL FIT

INTO YOUR JEANS

What seems like

weight gain may actually be

puffiness, notes

Mark Hyman, M.D.

How to navigate party season without packing

on the extra pounds. By Martha McCully

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MIERSWA-KLUSKA/TRUNK ARCHIVE

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