What to eat when you have a hangover?—that’s probably the very first question that pops into your head when you wake up after a night of partying, drinks flowing, and laughter echoing.
You open your eyes, and suddenly the world feels like it’s spinning, your head is pounding, your mouth feels like the Sahara desert, and your stomach is giving you all the wrong signals.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to suffer in silence or rely only on greasy fast food (which, spoiler alert, doesn’t really help as much as you think). The right foods and drinks can actually help your body recover faster, rehydrate you, and ease those annoying symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Let’s explore what to eat when having a hangover in this ultimate guide!
Why Do Hangovers Happen?
Before we dive into the list of what you should eat, let’s first understand why hangovers happen in the first place.
- Dehydration
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes you pee more often. The more you drink, the more fluids (and electrolytes) your body loses. That’s why you wake up feeling thirsty, dizzy, and with a dry mouth.
- Electrolyte Imbalance
Along with fluids, alcohol flushes out electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Without these, your body struggles to function properly which leads to headaches, muscle weakness, and fatigue.
- Low Blood Sugar
Alcohol can lower your blood sugar levels, which can make you feel shaky, tired, or irritable.
- Stomach Irritation
Alcohol increases stomach acid production and slows down digestion, which is why you might feel nauseous or experience stomach pain.
- Sleep Disruption
Even if you “pass out” after drinking, alcohol interferes with your sleep cycle. This is why you may feel extra tired and foggy the next day.
All these combined create the perfect storm that we call a hangover. Now, the real question is: how do you fix it? The answer lies in what you eat and drink.
10 Foods That Actually Help When Having a Hangover
Here’s we’ve rounded up 10 foods that actually help when having a hangover:
1. Bananas
When you’re hungover, bananas are like a hug for your body. They’re loaded with potassium, which is the electrolyte your body desperately needs after all that alcohol.
One banana can help bring back balance, calm down those annoying muscle cramps, and give you a quick pick-me-up thanks to its natural sugars. Easy, tasty, and no cooking required!
2. Eggs
Eggs are basically the hangover MVP. They contain cysteine, an amino acid that helps your body clear out acetaldehyde (the nasty stuff that makes you feel so awful after drinking).
Plus, their protein keeps your blood sugar steady and fuels your body so you don’t feel like a zombie. Scrambled, boiled, or poached, you can choose whichever you want!
3. Toast or Whole-Grain Bread
Carbs help bring your blood sugar back up when it’s crashed. Toast, especially whole-grain, provides complex carbs that release energy slowly, helping you feel less shaky and more stable. Pair it with eggs for the ultimate hangover-fighting combo.
4. Avocados
Alcohol drains potassium and healthy fats, and avocados replenish both. They’re creamy, easy to eat (even if you’re queasy), and loaded with fiber and B vitamins that support your body’s recovery. Try avocado toast or just eat slices with a pinch of salt, it’s also super easy to make!
5. Oats
If your stomach feels a bit sensitive, oatmeal is the gentle, comforting choice. It’s packed with nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and magnesium, which help your body bounce back. Plus, oats balance your blood sugar, keeping your energy steady throughout the day instead of up and down.
6. Chicken Soup or Broth
Remember when chicken soup was the cure for everything as a kid? Turns out, it works for hangovers too. It rehydrates you, restores sodium and electrolytes, and is light on the stomach. Plus, the warmth is soothing when you feel terrible.
7. Coconut Water
Coconut water is basically nature’s sports drink. It’s rich in electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, which help replenish what alcohol washed away. It also hydrates you faster than plain water, making it a hangover superstar.
8. Watermelon
When your body is begging for hydration, watermelon answers the call. It’s over 90% water, so it quenches your thirst instantly. Plus, it contains L-citrulline, which can help improve blood flow and even ease those pounding headaches. Refreshing, juicy, and exactly what you need.
9. Ginger Tea
If nausea is your main enemy, ginger is your hero. Ginger tea (or even chewing raw ginger if you’re brave) helps soothe your stomach, reduce nausea, and improve digestion. Pair it with honey for an extra energy boost.
10. Honey
Speaking of honey, this natural sweetener is rich in fructose, which helps metabolize alcohol faster. It’s also easy on your stomach and gives you quick energy. Spread it on toast or stir it into tea for a sweet hangover remedy.
Foods to Avoid When Hungover
Not all foods are your friends during a hangover. Some may actually make things worse, here are several foods you have to avoid:
a. Greasy Fast Food
It’s a common myth that burgers, fries, and pizza “soak up” the alcohol. In reality, greasy food can irritate your stomach further and make you feel heavier.
b. Coffee
While coffee might sound tempting for the energy kick, it’s a diuretic like alcohol. This means it can dehydrate you even more, worsening your headache.
c. Spicy Foods
Your stomach lining is already irritated. Adding spice can trigger more nausea and stomach pain.
d. More Alcohol
Drinking more to “cure” a hangover only delays the symptoms. It doesn’t solve the problem, it just postpones it.
No Need to Worry about Hangovers!
The key is knowing how to recover smartly, and when it comes to enjoying your favorite drinks, you’re in good hands with Minuman.com. From popular award-winning labels to rare, ultra-premium limited editions, minuman.com offers an expansive selection of spirits, including wines, at attractive prices.
You can shop easily online or visit the store directly, where bulk purchases are available at even better prices. With its consistent growth over the past few years, minuman.com has proven itself as a trusted destination that combines variety, value, and top-notch service. So why wait? Visit minuman.com today and order your favorite alcohol drinks hassle-free!
