Sometimes, being hungry and being hungover go hand in hand. Your joints hurt, your throat and mouth get parched, and your head throbs like the night before you smacked it on a cement roof. You still try to take stock of the situation, but an upset stomach throws tantrums by churning outrageously. You are in a fix: is it a hangover or hunger? Before you lose leftover energy, restore some strength by knowing how to deal with the food in a typical condition like this.
Cheesy foods
A hangover might worsen rather than improve if you give in to desires. Hence, think twice before reaching for that extra large pizza you ordered last night, but couldn't even finish a slice and fell asleep. When you wake up with a severe hangover, there are certain items you should avoid eating, according to medical professionals. The Institute for Integrative Nutrition nutritionist and wellness coach Ali Tager stated that everything you thought you understood about treating a hangover could be incorrect. It's actually the worst thing you can do for your health to indulge in fried cuisine. Your body will have to put that oily meal aside while it breaks down those margaritas you downed last night since the same metabolic pathway breaks down alcohol and fat.
Don't take excess protein
Watch out for your meal's protein-to-carb ratio as well, Tager advised. "Your blood sugar may be low after excessive alcohol consumption; therefore, make sure your meal has a good balance of carbs and protein to maintain it." It would be best if you ate more unprocessed, simple-to-digest meals focused on carbohydrates, including oatmeal and congee. Tager suggests pairing a lean protein, such as chicken or turkey, with complex carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, quinoa, or brown rice, for a heartier dinner.
Coffee and orange juice are a big NO
Coffee and orange juice are two-morning beverages to avoid as they might worsen hangovers. Tager added that citrus is rough on your stomach, so you should also avoid it. While some advice against consuming coffee after a night out, she doesn't see an issue with it as long as you stay hydrated and drink enough water. According to a clinical nutritionist and founder of Bonafide Provisions, Sharon Brown, "Caffeine is a diuretic and will deprive you of water and hydration that is important for [healing] hangovers." An unsettled stomach is a common side effect of hangovers; dehydration can exacerbate those symptoms.
orange juice/ unsplash.com
Ordering a Bloody Mary to treat symptoms of a pounding head is not the hair of the dog cure, as it is affectionately known. Nutritionists and medical professionals believe that while drinking may momentarily relieve symptoms, the long-term effects are more intense than if you just rehydrated and maintained good health for at least a day.
