Best hangover snacks

Fix a fuzzy head and Sahara-like thirst with our best hangover snacks.

The morning after a big night out most of us feel pretty rubbish – all we can manage is lying on the sofa eating junk food. But why do we get hangovers? Nutritionist, Louise Pyne explains, ‘A hangover is the result of certain toxic impurities in alcohol which leads to dehydration and other nasty side effects, such as headaches and nausea.’ Don’t worry though, because ‘certain vitamins and minerals can help to cure the effects of a post-alcohol binge.’

So next time you’re struggling with a hangover, don’t beg your friends for a fast food delivery, reach for one of these snacks to cure – or at least improve – your hangover:

Coconut water
‘Guzzle back coconut water to help combat the post-partying hangover effects,’ recommends Lousie. It’s a natural isotonic which helps to rehydrate you and also replenishes levels of electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, which are lost through alcohol consumption.’ It’s also deliciously refreshing!
£1.91

Bounce Energy Balls
These little balls of protein-packed goodness give you a much-needed boost in energy. The Spirulina & Ginseng flavour are defence boost energy balls which are high in fibre, unsaturated fats and vitamins E and B12 – some of the essential nutrients needed to combat a hangover. They taste amazing too!
£1.79

BioCare Refresh Intensive
BioCare Refresh Intensive sachets are packed with much-needed energy and electrolyte support to replenish key nutrients and energy stores, and help you recover from a hangover. It’s a ‘cocktail’ of vitamins and nutrients – and is the only ‘cocktail’ you’ll feel like having that day. Each sachet helps to reduce the feelings of tiredness and fatigue – allowing you to get up from the sofa. The pocket-sized sachets are perfect for the festival season too!
£17.45 for 14 sachets

Scrambled eggs on toast/Champion’s breakfast
This is a perfect combination – Louise says, ‘A plate of scrambled eggs on toast can work wonders for a throbbing head. Eggs contain a substance called cysteine, which helps to counteract the effects of a hangover’. Toast is also great as ‘B vitamins found in wholegrains like wholemeal bread and brown rice can also be beneficial in boosting your body’s detoxification capacity’. To make it even more effective try adding tomatoes – like in our Champion’s breakfast recipe – as Louise explains: ‘Glutathione, found in tomatoes helps to offset the effects of toxins in alcohol.’

Green smoothie
An easy way to get a great hit of nutrients is by trying our Green smoothie recipe. It’s filled with a variety of nutrients, and Louise explains that spinach has ‘potent liver detoxifying properties,’ and ginger is ‘known for its anti-nauseous properties’. Drink up!

Herbal tea
Herbal teas are also great hangover remedies. Louise says, ‘Peppermint tea is an excellent digestive aid, so if you’re feeling bloated following a big drinking binge, sip on a cup of peppermint tea to help flatten your tummy. Chamomile is also a wonderful relaxant, and will help to calm down any nausea, while fennel tea will give your liver a helping hand in getting rid of post-alcohol toxins.’

If you’re planning a big night out soon Louise advises to ‘keep a multivitamin close at hand to top up levels of nutrients that may be lost through alcohol, and pop a milk thistle capsule, as this herb is known for its liver-boosting properties.’

So now you can enjoy your night out without worrying about how bad it will make you feel the next day – stock up your cupboards in preparation to fight the dreaded hangover, and let us know what works for you!