5 Foods that help a hangover

You’ve done it again — you had one or two too many, and now you’ve got a wicked hangover. Here are five foods to eat that will help with your hangover misery. We’ll save the lecture for when you feel better.

What causes a hangover?

A hangover is a notorious condition caused by drinking to excess. Hangover symptoms can range from a splitting headache and a queasy stomach to dry mouth, dizziness, lethargy, dry heaving and even depression. You feel super sick, drained of energy and foggy-headed.

5 Foods that help a hangover

Any food will replenish nutrients and rehydrate you, especially if you happened to throw up. Here are some foods that help a hangover in a hurry.

1. Water first

That foggy-headed feeling can be relieved by staying well hydrated, as excessive drinking causes dehydration. In addition to drinking water along with your alcoholic beverages, be sure to drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up the next day. An electrolyte sports drink wouldn’t hurt either.

2. Bananas

Due to alcohol’s diuretic effect, noshing on bananas the morning after can replace potassium and other lost electrolytes. Blend a banana into a fruit smoothie if your stomach is feeling rebellious against solid foods.

3. An egg and whole-wheat toast

You can combat hangover fatigue by eating a light breakfast. The combination of protein and carbohydrates in an egg and toast is a good source of recovery nutrients as well as easy on the stomach. In addition, eggs contain the amino acid cysteine, which can break down the toxins that cause hangover symptoms, and whole grains contain magnesium, which alcohol can deplete.

4. Herbs

An herbal approach can also offer relief. Willow bark is nature’s answer to aspirin, while evening primrose oil can help nurse your alcohol-riddled liver back to health. Dosing with milk thistle oil or chewing fennel seeds also aid in liver function. Herbal teas can help with rehydration, particularly peppermint tea, which will soothe your tummy. Talk to an herbalist or naturopath for the best herbal hangover prescription.

5. Greasy foods

Though a plate piled high with greasy pizza might give you the dry heaves the morning after drinking too much alcohol, eating high-fat foods before imbibing can reduce your risk of a hangover because the fats line your stomach and intestines. A healthier approach is to eat foods high in healthy fats, such as olive oil, salmon or avocados, and to keep your alcoholic drinks to a minimum.

Originally published on SheKnows.com

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