How do you cure hangovers?
When was the last time you had so much fun that the next day you woke up, you had the biggest hangover ever? I don’t know about you, but a few months ago I went out with my husband and his friends and work colleagues. We talked, we laughed, we drank; basically, we had a lot of fun.
Everything was fine until the boys ordered shots. As you can imagine, those teeny-tiny drinks made everything seem funnier and more adventurous, so we kept them coming. But little did I know that the next day I was about to wake up with the worst hangover ever. My body was dizzy and sleep-deprived, my head was spinning, and my stomach was… well, not feeling incredibly good.
I was hungry, but I didn’t know what to eat because everything made me feel nauseous. Then I remembered what a friend of mine once said. He told me that if I ever drank too much, it was better to eat healthy foods that contained plenty of fiber and good fats (of course, I wanted to make sure that the info he gave me was legit, so I looked at what scientists say).
And let me tell you that my friend – and researchers – were right, because in just a couple of hours I was ready to tackle my day and move on to my to-do list.
So do you want to know what the dietary cure for a hangover is? You are about to find out because here are the best 12 foods to eat to feel better after a night full of drinks and fun events.
1. Pickles
Probably one of the foods you already had in mind, thanks to their sour taste and crunchy texture. This food is high in sodium, which is an essential electrolyte you definitely need after a night of heaving drinking. When you have too much alcohol in your body, this electrolyte disappears, so you have to replenish it afterward.
Consuming a few pickles or drinking their brine is linked to boosting the amount of sodium you have in your body, so your system gets stronger and has the chance to help you overcome the hangover faster.
…Do you like eating pickles?
2. Avocado
Avocados are the perfect combination of healthy fats, fiber, and a delicious, creamy texture. It’s a savory food that can be combined with plenty of other ingredients that will make you feel as fresh as new after a night of heavy drinking. You might feel sick and the last thing you’ll want to do is eat a big meal, but you need fuel to properly function and go about your day.
An avocado sandwich with hard-boiled eggs and whole-grain bread is the perfect small meal to eat when you have a terrible hangover. Scientists say that eating avocados after drinking can help restore low potassium levels caused by consuming too much alcohol and not drinking enough water.
A single avocado has 20% of the recommended daily value of potassium. In addition to that, studies have shown that this food contains substances that can protect your body against liver damage. Given the fact that alcohol can contaminate your liver, avocados are great for keeping any potential health issues at bay.
3. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes aren’t only delicious, but they’re also great for helping you get rid of those annoying hangover symptoms. These contain plenty of elements that are important for recovery and overall well-being.
According to scientists, this incredible food contains more than 750% of the daily value of vitamin A, 27% of the daily value (DV) for potassium, and 4% of the DV for magnesium. All these amazing nutrients can be found in just a cup of cooked sweet potato.
Magnesium and potassium are important to replace the nutrients you lose when you drink, but vitamin A may help reduce the inflammation that comes with a hangover.
…You can eat them with some vegetables, and you’ll have a yummy meal that will make you feel as fresh as new in just a couple of minutes! And if you crave French fries, put some sweet potatoes in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil and they’ll turn out amazing!
4. Coffee
Not that coffee is food, but drinking a cup of java after a fun night can help you recharge your batteries and recover faster from your hangover. In conformity with different studies, coffee consumption has been connected to fighting inflammation that is associated with hangovers. So, if you want to improve your focus and become more alert, coffee is a good option after a night out.
5. Salmon
We don’t know what you think, but we believe that salmon is a superfood that shouldn’t be neglected! It is one of the best things you could possibly nourish your body with and it has amazing properties that you’ll love!
This tasty type of fish contains plenty of omega-3 fatty acids that are wonderful for reducing inflammation symptoms in your body. If you consume it on a regular basis, salmon will help reduce the risk of getting heart disease, help you keep your weight in check, give you plenty of vitamin B, and also improve the look of your skin.
…We told you it was a superfood!
6. Chicken Noodle Soup
Since we frequently eat chicken noodle soup when we are sick with the flu or a cold and want to eat something wholesome and nourishing, I’m sure you are already a great fan of it. But the moments when your immunity is not at its best aren’t the only ones when this meal is a life-saver, because it can also be very beneficial for hangovers.
According to several studies, chicken noodle soup can aid in rehydrating your body, mainly because it contains high levels of sodium. This actually contains 35% of the DV of sodium in just one cup of soup. So next time you don’t feel your best, try eating a bowl of chicken noodle soup, and you’ll feel a lot better!
7. Meat
Your body might be able to recover faster after a hangover if you eat foods that are high in protein, such as meat. As many researchers say, when you consume a lot of alcohol, your body can’t absorb some amino acids as it normally would. And if you drink on a normal basis, you are more likely to suffer from an amino acid deficiency.
Given the fact that protein is broken down into amino acids by your body, it’s a fantastic choice for getting rid of a hangover faster. Besides that, it will also make you feel full for longer periods of time and give you energy for the whole day.
…Did you know that 3 ounces of chicken breast have 13 grams of protein, while 3 ounces of beef have 25 grams?
8. Oranges
…Oranges are the perfect combination of sour, sweet, and fresh, which makes them one of the best snacks for hangovers!
They contain plenty of vitamin C, which is amazing for stopping your body from losing an antioxidant called glutathione. This antioxidant typically supports your system’s detoxification from alcohol, but of course, when you drink, it shuts down and it needs help to properly function again.
And treating hangovers is not the only superpower oranges have. They are amazing for helping your body create more collagen, a protein that is wonderful for healing wounds and making your skin look and feel smooth and glowy. They can also protect your immune system by giving it a boost to fight against germs and bacteria.
And not to mention, all those minerals and nutrients oranges contain are wonderful for helping your body absorb iron faster and better.
…Do you like eating oranges?
9. Ginger
You surely know that drinking ginger tea on a regular basis can give your immune system a boost, making it easier to fight germs and viruses. But many scientists say that ginger is not helpful in curing colds and common cases of flu, but it’s actually wonderful for treating nausea induced by hangovers.
They say that ginger can be successfully used as a remedy for the stomach distress brought on by hangovers due to its anti-nausea properties. You can eat a tiny piece of ginger exactly as it is, or you can add it to a smoothie or make some tea out of it. Whatever way you choose to consume it, it’s a natural remedy that is great for those moments when you feel dizzy and nauseous after a night of heavy drinking.
10. Tomato juice
Another beverage that experts can not recommend enough for treating a bad hangover is tomato juice. As many scientists say, tomatoes contain plenty of good chemicals that guard your system against liver damage. These delicious fruits might reduce the effects of alcohol consumption, which then will make you feel better and ready to tackle your day.
In addition to that, a test-tube investigation discovered that tomato juice can quicken the pace at which enzymes break down alcohol. This means that your body will recover faster and you’ll get rid of those annoying side effects as soon as possible!
11. Coconut water
You already know that one of the quickest and most effective natural ways to beat a hangover is by drinking plenty of fluids the day after. Of course, drinking water is the last thing you want to do when you feel dizzy, or nauseous, and you have the worst headache ever, but fluids are exactly what your body needs and wants.
However, water isn’t the only beverage that you should drink to help yourself recover faster, and besides the ginger tea that we’ve previously mentioned, another drink that is amazing for that is coconut water.
It will hydrate you faster and more effectively compared to regular water, as it contains a lot of electrolytes, potassium, and even salt. According to studies, only a cup of coconut water will give you 11% and 17% of the daily recommended values of salt and potassium.
12. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is not just an amazing breakfast food that will give you a lot of energy for the day, but it’s also a great aid in treating severe hangovers. That’s because it contains complex carbohydrates that give a slow and constant release of sugar into the bloodstream, which might minimize the effects of a hangover.
If you’re not convinced that eating oatmeal will help you feel as fresh as new, researchers discovered that having a breakfast that is high in complex carbohydrates as opposed to refined sugars was linked to better mood and less weariness. And not to mention, it’s a healthy alternative to those sugary granola or protein bars, and it can even help you keep extra pounds at bay.
If you drank too much the night before, eating oatmeal in the morning will help you get rid of the anxiety, lethargy, or low blood sugar that might come with a hangover. Combine your oatmeal with a teaspoon of peanut butter and a cup of blueberries for extra crunchiness and healthy fats, fiber, and protein.
…If you want more tips and tricks on how to keep your nutrition on point, we have plenty of articles that will give you all the information you need! Here’s another good one for you: 7 Ingenious Ways to Diet Depending on Your Skin Type!
