Healthy Hangover Foods: How to Recover from a Night Out
Healthy Hangover Foods: How to Recover from a Night Out
So you had a few too many drinks last night. We’ve all been there a time or two. Unfortunately, there’s no way to go back in time and we all know that overindulging in alcohol can leave you feeling dehydrated and terrible the next morning with a headache, nausea and exhaustion. Alcohol intake, especially without adequate nutrition, can cause our blood sugar to crash, which leaves us with that tired and nauseous feeling. It also leads to dehydration and usually some gastrointestinal issues, too. In this article, we’ll explore the best ways to support your body after a night of drinking so you can minimize the dreaded hangover symptoms and get some healthy energy back.
Food Is Fuel
While there’s no magic cure for a hangover, fueling your body with good food and proper hydration can help to minimize the severity of your hangover symptoms. Here are some of our favorite food and drinks that truly help us come back to life after a few too many drinks:
Pureboost. One little packet in some ice-cold water (or coconut water!) and you can help replenish your electrolytes, give yourself a clean energy boost, and give your body a surge of vitamins and minerals all at once. Plus, the refreshing flavors and gentle fizz make it a delightful choice to ease nausea and help settle an upset stomach.
Bananas and Peanut Butter. Bananas are high in potassium (an electrolyte!), which is essential for rehydration after drinking. Pairing them with nut butter makes for a satisfying mini-meal or snack. Other good fruit/nut butter combos are bananas with almond butter, strawberries with cashew butter, or pears with sunflower seed butter. YUM.
Eggs. Eggs = great source of protein and amino acids (reminder: your body loses amino acids when it metabolizes alcohol). They also contain cysteine, which can help break down acetaldehyde, a toxin that’s produced when your body breaks down alcohol. Try having scrambled eggs with toast or an omelet loaded with vegetables to help you recover.
Coconut water. It’s an electrolyte-rich beverage all on it’s own, but mix it with a packet of Pureboost and the glory reaches another level. Now you have a drink chock-full of potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium, all of which can help alleviate dehydration and hangover symptoms and give you a nice boost of healthy energy.
Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a great source of complex carbohydrates (remember, carbs are energy!), which can help regulate blood sugar levels and alleviate nausea. It’s also easy to digest, making it an ideal food to eat when you're feeling queasy. Try adding some cinnamon, honey or bananas for flavor and an extra electrolyte boost.
Hummus and Whole Grain Crackers. Hummus is a great source of protein and fiber, which can help regulate blood sugar levels and alleviate nausea. Pairing it with whole-grain crackers makes for a satisfying and healthy snack that can help you get your healthy energy levels back up.
All About Preparation
When it comes to handling a hangover, the old saying "prevention is better than cure" holds true. The best way to combat the aftermath of a night of indulgence is to be prepared beforehand by giving your body the proper nutrition and hydration it needs. By taking steps to support your system before the festivities begin, you can minimize the severity of the morning-after misery.
Stay hydrated. Yes, even before the drinks start flowing. Drinking water is always a good option, but something with electrolytes, like Pureboost, is even better and can really work to decrease the severity of your dehydration and other hangover symptoms. Each packet of Pureboost contains our Hydration Maximizer Electrolyte Blend and is made up of potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium. As mentioned before, one of our favorite feel-good electrolyte concoctions is mixing a packet of Pureboost with ice-cold coconut water. Hydration and a healthy energy boost never tasted so good!
Eat protein and healthy fats before and during drinking. Consuming a meal with ample protein and fat before, or at least during the time that you’re consuming alcohol (especially if it is more than one drink) can help keep blood sugar steady. This strategy also helps to support the loss of amino acids that occurs when your body metabolizes alcohol. Something like grilled or baked chicken or fish cooked in a healthy fat like olive oil, and a serving of carbs should do the trick.
Conclusion
While the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink in moderation or simply not drink at all, sometimes the night, the lights, the music… it gets the best of us. While a hangover can leave you feeling pretty miserable, there are things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms. Eating a meal with ample protein and fat, staying hydrated with electrolyte-rich drinks like Pureboost, snacking on fruit and nut butter, and incorporating some whole grain crackers with hummus can all help your hydration and energy levels. Mixed with some good ol’ rest and relaxation, you’ll be back to your best, hydrated self in no time.
Source: https://www.realsimple.com/best-hangover-foods-6889798