So, things got kinda crazy last night and you’ve woken up feeling a little worse for wear. Maybe it was mixing all that wine or beer with spirits, or perhaps you made the classic mistake of going out on an empty stomach. Whatever the reason, your head’s pounding, your stomach’s feeling sensitive to say the least, and you can barely muster the energy to move from your bed to the sofa. You need something to get you back to life again, and you need it quick.
Other than taking some Nurofen, the quickest and best way to feel human again is food. Eating helps break down the alcohol still in your system, raise your blood sugar levels, and replenish the vitamins and minerals you may be lacking after your drinking session. All of this can alleviate hangover symptoms.
But not just any food will do, and some can actually exacerbate hangovers. Greasy grub is often considered the best hangover food, but it can actually upset your digestive system and make things worse. Instead, reach for any of the following nourishing options for help recovering from the night before.
Eggs are rich in all kinds of restorative nutrients, vitamins and minerals that work wonders for your wellbeing, both in the short and long term.
For instance, they contain vitamin D, which is important for memory and other brain functions that may have been harmed by the booze in your system.
Eggs also provide you with the amino acid cysteine, which breaks down harmful compounds produced by alcohol, and taurine to boost liver function (an organ that needs some TLC after a drinking session).
You absorb more of these components when the egg is cooked, but avoid frying them so you’re not adding extra grease to your system. Some of the best egg-based recipes include quiches, egg curries and omelettes.
There’s a reason avocado toast has become so popular in recent years, and it’s not just because it tastes good and looks great on Instagram. The fruit is incredibly healthy and, luckily for you, packed full of things that make it one of the best hangover foods around.
For example, one avocado provides 20% of the Daily Value (DV) for potassium, a mineral that helps fight dizziness and muscle weakness. Vitamin B6 will replenish lost vitamins and the fibre will rid toxins from your body. You’re not just limited to avocado toast either — try it in smoothies, wraps, salads and more.
Rather than wolfing down a calorific fry-up the moment you wake up, opt for another breakfast staple instead: oatmeal. Packed with essential nutrients including vitamin B, calcium, magnesium, and iron, it’s certain to perk you up.
Combine with fresh fruit like bananas, strawberries or apples, and almonds, chia seeds or ground flaxseeds for an even healthier, tastier meal.
If you’re not a fan of oatmeal, eat cereal instead, as most will contain beneficial vitamins and minerals, but avoid sugar-laden brands because you’ll crash and feel worse once the sugar rush wears off.
Chicken noodle soup is a classic remedy for those with the flu or common cold, and it can also come in handy when you’ve drunk too much. The soup’s ability to rehydrate is perhaps its biggest benefit, largely due to the high sodium content.
As alcohol is a diuretic that causes you to lose more water than usual and become dehydrated, liquids are vital.
So as well as drinking plenty of water, sodium-rich soup can help energise you too. And when one 245g coup of chicken noodle soup provides 35% of the DV for sodium, this is ideal. Another great liquid food option is miso soup. Perfect for vegetarians, its high probiotic content is also great for gut health.
One of the worst effects of alcohol is that it can increase the compounds causing inflammation, and impair the body’s ability to regulate this inflammation. However, you can tackle this problem by eating some salmon, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are adept at reducing inflammation. The oily fish is a very versatile ingredient and you can incorporate it into pastas, risottos and more.
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