Source: https://www.independent.co.ukImportant information for future you.
Chances are at some point over the festive period, you indulged just a little too much.
Perhaps you over indulged several times.
And perhaps you're feeling somewhat worse for wear today still as a result.
You may have noticed that as the years go by, the hangovers just seem to get worse and worse.
Well that's the result of losing muscle mass and lacking liver enzymes as you get older, says registered dietitian Jessica Tong told Globalnews.ca.
But that's besides the point.
Once you have a hangover, all that matters is feeling well again.
There is one way you can avoid them all together, and that's hydration.
Keeping the fluids up is the key to ensuring you don't feel like you've trekking barefoot through the Sahara Desert when you wake up.
“You will be dehydrated so try to have more fluids, such as water, soup and herbal teas. For something that contains electrolytes, I recommend coconut water cut with sparkling water to dilute the sugar,” she explained.
While that's the best way to avoid a hangover in the first place, that information isn't going to help when you're wrapped in your duvet having flashbacks to terrifyingly awkward conversations from the night before.
So here five things you need to stop doing when you're hungover, to avoid making matters worse.
1. Not getting enough sleep
“Drinking alcohol can actually rob you of sleep because once the sedative effect wears off, you experience the rebound alertness, which deprives you of rapid eye movement sleep,” Tong said.
If possible, take a nap so that your body can recover.
2. Eating the wrong breakfast
We all love the ideal of getting a greasy breakfast after a night of heavy drinking, but Tong said you are better off with something more balanced.
“Greasy food … will probably leave you feeling more sluggish. Choose high-quality protein, healthy fats and fibre,” she continued.
“If you’re having a brunch, a balanced breakfast would be a salmon and avocado omelette, berries and sprouted grain toast with natural peanut butter.”
3. Don’t take the hair of the dog
No, a hangover can’t be cured with more alcohol.
“Although it has been proven effective for some people, more alcohol just perpetuates your hangover cycle, keeping you dehydrated throughout the day,” clinical dietitian Rosanna Lee of Toronto said.
“Repeating this cycle may make you alcohol dependent down the road.”
4. Relying on coffee
Coffee will help with morning fatigue and perhaps that radiating headache, Lee explained, but it is still a diuretic.
“This means with more coffee, you continue to dehydrate your body,” said Lee.
“If you are bound to drink a cup, don’t forget to follow up with lots of water during the day.”
5. Not getting balanced meals
Just like breakfast, Lee also suggested eating a meal with at least two to three food groups during the day.
“Eating a nutrient-packed meal or smaller snacks with carbs, protein and healthy fats (i.e. veggies, fruits, some whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats) will give your body the proper nutrients and fuel it needs to function better the next day,” she added.
Smoothies, juices, dairy and fortified milk alternative beverages are a good start and can help replete your lost fluids.
