Medically Reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, MD on December 13, 2022
Yogurt

Yogurt

1/15

The probiotic power of yogurt can help tame tummy troubles brought on by too much food. “Good” bacteria called lactobacillus can balance out bad bacteria and go after gas and diarrhea. Look for yogurt with live active cultures to get the bacterial benefit.

Bananas

Bananas

2/15

Blood pressure on the rise from a sodium surge? Curb it by biting into a banana. They’re packed with potassium, which can ease the effects of a sodium-high diet and help level out blood pressure.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal

3/15

A bowl of this breakfast staple will start your day on the right foot. You’ll get 1-2 grams of fiber, which helps lower cholesterol by kicking it out of your system before it can set up shop.

Green tea

Green tea

4/15

A mug of it (hold the sugar) is chock-full of flavonoids -- they lower your levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, and can help get high blood pressure back to normal, too.

Nuts

Nuts

5/15

Binge eating can raise your risk of heart disease, so nosh on small handfuls of nuts for your ticker. Almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and other nuts offer you omega-3 fatty acids, unsaturated fats, and vitamin E -- all of which help lower cholesterol and protect your arteries.

Beans

Beans

6/15

Garbanzo, lentil, navy... when it comes to beans, the options are almost endless. Pick your favorite for a fiber boost. Beans also take time to digest, which will help you feel full for longer.

Eggs

Eggs

7/15

They pack a hearty nutritional punch. Eggs are full of protein, vitamins B12 and D, riboflavin, and folate -- all of which can help lower the risk of heart disease that can be brought on by bingeing. Whip up an omelet with veggies to sneak in extra fiber. You can skip the yolk if you’re worried about cholesterol.

Spinach

Spinach

8/15

Your body has a lot to work through after a binge. Spinach is full of vitamin B2, which helps metabolize fat. B vitamins also help fight disease and infection to help keep you healthy longer. It’s best to eat your leafy greens raw or lightly steamed -- boiling them can take out essential vitamins and nutrients.

Vinegar

Vinegar

9/15

A drizzle of this on your salad can help level blood sugar after the highs and lows of bingeing -- especially if your binge was bread-heavy. Vinegar can lower your glycemic index after a carb fest. But don’t overdo it -- too much vinegar may bother your stomach.

Ginger

Ginger

10/15

Gas got you feeling bloated? Ginger helps relax the muscles in your digestive tract to get the gas out. Brew some ginger tea, spice up a salad with pickled ginger, or blend some into a smoothie to get your fix.

Oranges

Oranges

11/15

They’re tart, tasty, and packed with vitamin C, which boosts your metabolism and helps digest fats. What’s more, there’s a chance that boosting your vitamin C can give you more energy and lift your spirits. Go for the whole fruit instead of juice to avoid extra sugar and to up your fiber.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed

12/15

It’s is an easy addition to foods you already eat, like oatmeal or smoothies. It doesn’t change food’s flavor, but can add fiber and ALA, a fatty acid that may improve your heart health. Opt for ground flax over flaxseed oil for full fiber benefits.

Salmon

Salmon

13/15

Fish like salmon delivers brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids, but it also gives you a protein pick-me-up. Protein helps keep your blood sugar steady and may even help prevent sugar spikes after a carb-heavy meal.

Broccoli

Broccoli

14/15

Binge eating disorder is related to depression, so it’s good to mix in foods that can help combat the blues. Magnesium works as a mood booster, and broccoli is rich in it. Just a half-cup of cooked broccoli gives you nearly 13% of your daily magnesium.

Water

Water

15/15

A good way to get your body past a binge is to flush your system with water. It not only helps you digest food, it softens your stool so you can move things along. And if indigestion has your stomach in knots, try bringing in a few bubbles. Seltzer water may help ease your quease.

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SOURCES:

American Heart Association: “Potassium and High Blood Pressure.”

Harvard Medical School: “11 foods that lower cholesterol.”

Harvard School of Public Health: “Eggs and Heart Disease.”
Ostman, E. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005.

Medscape: “Vinegar and Diabetes: Dos and Don'ts.”

Hooper, L. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008.

National Eating Disorder Association: “Binge Eating Disorder.”

Mayo Clinic: “Nuts and your heart: Eating nuts for heart health,”

“Can Vitamin C Improve Your Mood?”

Wu, KL. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, May 2008.

National Institutes of Health: “Vitamin C.”

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: “Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil.”

Gannon, M. American Society for Clinical Nutrition, 2003.

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: “Riboflavin.”

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: “What are B-Vitamins and Folate?”

Rush University Medical Center: “Make Your Diet Greener.”

Serefko, A. Pharmacological Reports, 2013.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: “Magnesium Rich Foods.”

Cuomo, R. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2002.