hangovers are bananas, but not in a good way.
The morning after isn’t cute and neither are hangovers. Your head is pounding, you can barely stand up straight and you feel like you’re on a one-way upside down roller coaster ride to Hell. We’ve all been there – what would college and our early twenties have been without at least a handful of memorable (or non-memorable, depending on just how blacked out you were) drunk moments with friends? But I’ve realized that I’m not getting any younger and my capability to toss back a few drinks is nowhere near where it was when I was twenty-two (but who are we kidding here? I’ve never been a pro drinker), so I’m game for anything that will help to decrease the after-effects of a late night. And what better way to do it than by eating?
Eggs: They’re packed with cysteine, an amino acid that breaks down the toxins that your body hasn’t gotten around to yet. They’re also high in Vitamin B, which has in some studies been found to reduce hangover symptoms. So how would you like your eggs today – fried, scrambled or poached?
Bananas: When you drink too much, the alcohol in your system draws water from your cells (which is why you pee more when you’re out drinking), which not only dehydrates you but also causes your body to flush out potassium. When you have low potassium your muscles get weak and shaky (and you can sometimes find yourself victim to one of those awful Charlie Horse cramps) along with high blood pressure. A single banana has 422 mg of potassium and will help normalize your body. Bonus? It fits easily into your purse.
Coconut Water: Filled with potassium and electrolytes, this is a refreshing (and tasty) way to rehydrate your body after your water levels have plummeted due to drinking. Coconut water is a healthier alternative to those overly sweetened sports drinks that contain artificial food dyes and chemicals. Just go for the pure stuff – it’s more potent and will help alleviate your symptoms much faster.
Asparagus: Scientists have found that extracts taken from asparagus help boost the levels of enzymes that work to break down alcohol post-drinking. Experts recommend eating asparagus either before you go out or while you’re drinking (with dinner, for example) to help lessen the negative effects of alcohol. But if you don’t get around to eating it until the next day, it can still yield positive results on your body and certainly work to tame that hangover.
Honey: A natural cure-all known for its various healing properties, pure honey is filled with antioxidants and concentrated fructose which helps rid your body of excess alcohol. Either mix some honey into a warm cup of tea (helpful if you’re feeling slightly nauseous from last night’s drinking), drizzle some on top of Greek yogurt or a bowl of oatmeal, or simply dip a cracker or a spoon directly into the jar.
