K-State lost to KU once again. And it was one of those nights, you’re stuck with a massive hangover. If a couple pills and a glass of water could do the trick, you would be fine. Sadly, you’re not fine, because it’s Monday and you have classes to get through. So what do you do now? You keep reading. You keep reading because I’ve already done the research for you to find the best hangover cures, selecting four smoothie recipes that should hopefully taste great and make you feel even better!
GOALS FOR CURING A HANGOVER
- Replenish fluids
- Replenish electrolytes, like potassium
- Raise blood sugar
- Break down acetaldehyde (the byproduct from the liver that metabolizes ethanol in alcohol that causes headache and nausea)
- Combat fatigue and reboost energy
Mango Ginger Kale Green Smoothie
In this recipe, the phenolic compounds and other health-benefiting properties of ginger will help with stomach aches, nausea, pain and inflammation — everything you’re probably trying to cure. Adding the cup of ice and water will help replenish those fluids, in addition to the juices from the fruit. Lastly, the maple syrup will add that little sweetness boost to raise your blood sugar levels to gain your energy back!
- 1 cup of ice
- 2 cups packed kale
- 1 cup ripe frozen mango cubes
- 1 cup ripe frozen peaches
- 1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
- 1 1/2 – 2 lemons or limes, juiced (but avoid this ingredient for hangovers!)
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups filtered water
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup (for additional sweetness)
In addition to the health benefits from ginger, the banana is loaded with potassium you lost from dehydration. The recipe calls for one banana, but my mom has always told me “you can always add another banana in a smoothie.” Moms are always right… right? The pineapple will boost your blood sugar and the greek yogurt will support a healthy gut. And finally, the turmeric will act as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup fresh pineapple
- 1/2 cup 2% or nonfat plain greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (add more if desired)
- 1/2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger or 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons of chia seeds
Spinach and Banana Power Smoothie Recipe
This might be the easiest recipe to try to make in the morning while hungover because there are only three ingredients. Once again, there’s a banana for potassium; however, this isn’t your only source! Spinach is packed with potassium, and those green leaves have a multitude of nutrients that will help feed your body a healthy option after overwhelming it with alcohol.
- 1 cup plain soy milk
- 3/4 cup packed fresh spinach leaves
- 1 large banana
Quick Tips To Treat a Hangover:
- Drink plenty of water for fluid replenishment
- Avoid large, fatty meals to avoid further upsetting your stomach
- Avoid acidic foods
- Drink Gatorade to replenish electrolytes
- Drink soda to break down acetaldehyde
- Eat toast with honey since it’s easy to digest
- Take ibuprofen to lessen the headache
Quick Tips to Prevent a Hangover:
- Avoid drinking on an empty stomach
- When drinking, alternate each drink with a glass of water
- Know your limits, and drink responsibly! (I had to throw the “mom” advice in)
If you know that you’ll be having a long night again in the future, be proactive and prepare some of these cures ahead of time — make one of the smoothies or assemble ingredients the night before. By having the hangover cures ready in the fridge, you’ll be thanking yourself in the morning when every task feels twice as hard. Hey… you might not remember what happened the night before, but you’ll definitely remember the remedies waiting for you in the kitchen.
