It’s well and truly party season, so the chances of waking up on a Saturday morning (or Tuesday morning) with a thumping headache and desperate need for H20 are fairly high.
While a night on the tiles at your New Year’s party is usually a blast, the after-effects of having one drink too many are often not.
Nicole Dynan, an accredited practising member of the Dietitians Association of Australia, has shared her advice for handling hangovers.
Before you drink…
To avoid that dusty day-after feeling, the goal is to make sure that you stay hydrated.
“Your best bet is to start any drinking session with a big glass of H20. Hydration is key – before, during and after drinking alcohol,” advises Nicole.
She also recommends lining your stomach with a hearty meal before starting on that first glass of bubbles.
“Alcohol is absorbed directly through the stomach wall, so having something to eat beforehand will slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream,” she advises.
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More hangover tips (New Idea Food)
How to beat a hangover (Women’s Health Australia)
While you’re drinking…
While it can be hard to keep track of how much you’re drinking when your host keeps topping up your half-filled wine glass, try to consume one drink per hour.
“Your body takes 60 to 75 minutes to process one standard drink. Drinking faster will make your blood alcohol level rise and increase your hangover chances,” Nicole says.
The morning after…
When most people wake up with a horrible hangover, they think
a greasy fry-up is the answer. Not so, according to Nicole.
“Try to eat some healthy foods post-drinking,” she says.
“Eggs are a good breakfast choice – they’re high in cysteine, an amino acid that breaks down alcohol. Fatty foods can upset a sensitive stomach.”
RECIPES: Best hangover recipes from New Idea Food
Next day regrets?
Make yourself a detox smoothie the morning after to help you feel better in no time. Our recipe contains coconut water, which can replace essential electrolytes, bananas (packed full of potassium) and pineapple, which provides a boost of good sugars (fructose) and may also aid with digestion.
