11 Foods That Will Help Cure Your Hangover Slideshow
Craving an egg is something that comes naturally to us when we're suffering from a hangover, which is good, because they're a great choice. For starters, an egg's filling qualities are great for fighting nausea, and they also release a "feel-good" neurotransmitter called serotonin, so eating one automatically makes you happier. Along with the large amount of protein it supplies to help make your body strong, Shemek tells us that an egg is also rich in the amino acid cysteine, which helps break down a headache-causing chemical that's produced when the liver breaks down alcohol. Because a bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich is what you're craving when you wake up with a hangover, why not try the world's best?
Bananas
Shemek says that two minerals that take a huge hit from drinking are magnesium and potassium, but luckily for us, bananas are high in both of these things, so eating one the morning after a long night is a huge help to your body. Along with those two minerals, bananas are also high in fructose, a fruit sugar that will help restore your energy, so you'll feel physically replenished and energetic. Bananas are also great for fighting nausea, and this Bananas in Coconut Milk recipe is a subtle and mild dish that will accentuate a banana's nausea-fighting qualities.
Crackers
One impact of drinking too much alcohol is the rise and fall of our blood sugar, says Shemek. When your liver metabolizes alcohol, it's busy compensating for the drop in blood sugar and overlooks something else your body needs to function: glucose. Crackers are a great way to raise your blood sugar, which is why so many diabetic people rely on them when their blood sugar crashes. One of a cracker's main purposes in life is to act as a serving vessel for dips, so here are eight cheesy and delicious versions for you to make to accompany your cracker feast.
Prickly Pears
Grown in the Southwest and California, prickly pears are a great fruit for fighting hangovers when eaten preventatively. Studies have shown that by consuming prickly pear cactus extract before drinking, you can prevent key symptoms of a hangover like nausea, dry mouth, and loss of appetite, which probably makes this Prickly Pear Margarita a great drink to start your pregame with.
Quinoa
Quinoa makes a great choice after a night of heavy imbibing because it's rich in hangover-fighting minerals like protein and magnesium. Magnesium helps fight fatigue and loss of appetite, and also helps keep your heart healthy and nerve and muscle cells in good shape. Start the morning with these Quinoa Breakfast Burritos, or whip up a batch of these Crispy Quinoa Bites when fighting a hangover.
Asparagus
When mom was mandating that you eat all of your vegetables, she was also giving you a little bit of drinking advice. Vegetables like asparagus are rich in amino acids and minerals that speed up the metabolism of alcohol and help protect your cells. The faster the toxins from alcohol exit your body the better you will feel, which is why asparagus — raw or cooked — is great to munch on the morning after a party.
Click here to see a Dijon, Ham, and Asparagus Roll-Ups recipe.
Tomatoes
Drinking can lead you to become vitamin-deficient because it impairs the body's ability to absorb the vitamins you need, says Shemek. High in vitamin C, B vitamins, and water, tomatoes are great to eat when you're hungover because they're hydrating and have a unique balance of vitamins that will replenish you after a night of drinking.
Click here to see the Chicken Spaghetti with Garlicky Tomato Sauce recipe.
Sauerkraut
Created through the fermentation process, sauerkraut has many appealing qualities for a hangover because it's easy on the stomach and rich in probiotics that help protect the stomach. Along with its nausea-fighting qualities, Shemek tells us that sauerkraut is rich in vitamin C, electrolytes, sodium, and other enzymes that are lost during a long night of drinking. Along with having lots of sauerkraut in it, this Potato and Sauerkraut Gratin is cheesy and comforting, making it a good choice for your hangover hunger.
Chicken Soup
Soup is a great redeeming food for a hangover because it's hydrating, restores your sodium levels, and is versatile enough to allow you to add things like vegetables and chicken to it, says Shemek. Vegetables contain phytonutrients and other micronutrients that help fight inflammation, a common side effect when drinking, and chicken contains cysteine, which, along with fighting headaches, helps support the liver after too much drinking.
Click here to see a Country-Style Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.
Apples
Apples are a great choice for a hangover because they're high in fructose, a fruit sugar that helps metabolize alcohol quickly, and have headache-fighting qualities. A grilled cheese sandwich like this Sharp Cheddar, Apples, and Bacon Grilled Cheese will help satiate your cravings and do away with some painful hangover symptoms.