If your head is throbbing and you feel like death warmed over, it may be time to treat yourself to a little hair of the dog. But if you’re going to drink again today — or even in the next few days — what’s the best way to prevent a hangover?
The obvious answer is not to drink as much alcohol in the first place. But that’s easier said than done, especially during celebrations like New Year’s Eve or Mardi Gras. And there are times when you might want to get drunk intentionally, such as when you’re trying to have a good time with friends or celebrating an important event.
So what can you do to minimize your chances of waking up feeling miserable? Here are some suggestions:
Drink plenty of water between drinks. Alcohol is dehydrating, so you need to replenish fluids after drinking alcohol in order to avoid dehydration and other problems associated with too much booze.
Eat something before you start drinking for dinner or partying late at night (which also helps slow down how fast alcohol gets into your bloodstream).
Eat something small between each drink (not more than two hours apart) if possible.
Hangovers are no fun, but they’re a necessary evil for those who love to drink. The best way to avoid hangovers is to not drink, but if you do, here are some tips for making yourself feel better.
What not to eat after drinking alcohol
The biggest mistake you can make when you’ve had too much to drink is eating food that’s high in fat and sugar. You might feel like a greasy burger or fries will help soak up the alcohol, but it’s actually doing more harm than good. This is because your body converts alcohol into acetaldehyde (a toxic substance) in the liver — which can lead to inflammation and other problems if your body isn’t used to processing this substance regularly.
Best hangover fast food
Even though greasy foods aren’t good for you when hungover, they can still be a lifesaver if there’s nothing else around and you need something quick and easy. Here are some of the best hangover fast food options:
McDonald’s hash browns – They’re fried potatoes with onions and cheddar cheese, so they’re not exactly healthy but they’re pretty low-calorie compared to other options on this list (around 300 calories).
When you’re hungover, it can be hard to find the energy and motivation to eat. But you need to get some food in your system if you want to feel better. Here’s what not to eat after drinking alcohol, according to nutritionists:
Greasy food
“Greasy food is terrible for a hangover,” registered dietitian Andy De Santis told Prevention. “A greasy burger is essentially just fat, which can exacerbate symptoms like nausea and lethargy.”
Bacon and eggs
“While bacon and eggs may be considered a hangover cure in some circles, it’s important to remember that eggs are high in cholesterol and saturated fat,” De Santis said. “Cholesterol is necessary for our bodies, but too much of it can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, which increases the risk of heart disease.”
The best hangover food is the one that will help you feel better. While there are no hard and fast rules, some foods are better than others for a variety of reasons.
Avoid greasy foods, which can make you feel worse.
Eat light meals and snacks throughout the day to keep your blood sugar levels steady.
Avoid drinking too much caffeine, which can make you jittery and dehydrate you further.
Avoid alcohol altogether if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it can harm your unborn baby or newborn.
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urination. This can cause dehydration, which can make your hangover worse. Alcohol also impairs your judgment, so you may be less likely to eat or drink enough to keep yourself hydrated and nourished.
There are plenty of myths about what you should and shouldn’t eat after a night of drinking, but here are some basic guidelines for what to eat and drink if you have a hangover:
Avoid greasy food: Greasy foods like bacon, sausage and eggs can make your stomach feel worse. Instead, opt for high-protein foods like eggs whites or yogurt.
Eat something easy to digest: Avoid acidic foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes and vinegar-based dressings that could irritate an upset stomach more than they help it.
Drink plenty of water: Water will help flush out toxins from your system and help prevent dehydration. If you’re feeling nauseous, try drinking small sips throughout the day instead of gulping down large amounts at once (which may make your stomach upset again).
A hangover is the headache, nausea and fatigue that follows a bout of heavy drinking. The more you drink, the worse it gets — but even if you’re a light drinker, there are things you can do to help lessen your symptoms.
Here’s what you need to know about how to treat your hangover.
You can’t completely prevent a hangover, but by following this advice, you can certainly make it less likely:
Drink plenty of water between drinks. Drinking water between alcoholic beverages will help maintain hydration and reduce dehydration. Drink at least eight ounces of water or other nonalcoholic beverage for every alcoholic drink consumed.
Eat food while drinking alcohol. Eating food while drinking will absorb some of the alcohol and slow down its absorption into your bloodstream — which means it will take longer for you to become drunk. That way, when you finally do get drunk, your body has already metabolized most of the alcohol in your system — so you’re less likely to feel ill after drinking stops. Some studies suggest that eating fatty foods or carbohydrates may be especially beneficial against hangovers because they slow down absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream; however, more research is needed on this topic before any firm conclusions can be made about how effective.