Hangover survival kit: key tips to recover from an alcohol binge
Like most, nutritionist Kimberly Snyder understands this feeling, especially around the holidays. “When I’ve over indulged or haven’t gotten enough sleep, I feel very bloated and fatigued,” says the Los Angeles-based Ms. Snyder, who counts singers and Hollywood actors among her clients. “I hate that feeling.”
Ms. Snyder has several strategies for bouncing back. “The very first thing that’s essential is to start the day with hot water and lemon — the hot water helps to dispel the gas and move it out of your system and lemon has a flushing and cleansing effect,” says Ms. Snyder, who has published three books on detoxification, including “The Beauty Detox Power,” which launched earlier this year.
Next, a smoothie can be a way to give your system a shot of all the nutrients it needs to recover quickly. Ms. Snyder likes to make a green one that’s “full of anti-inflammatory compounds, vitamin C, lots of minerals and potassium — you want to balance your electrolyte level.” For this, she typically makes a drink that contains “70% greens — spinach, romaine, parsley perhaps” and then rounds that off with apples, pears or bananas, making sure to definitely include some pineapple in the mix. “Pineapple is one of the most anti-inflammatory foods,” she adds.
While many may be inclined to reach for a cup of coffee, Ms. Snyder urges against it. “You don’t want to start with something dehydrating like coffee — your liver is already so overworked and now it also has to detoxify caffeine? Plus, coffee is so acidic,” she says, noting that it’s also good to avoid dairy. “Dairy is very difficult for a lot of people to digest, and digestion is such an energy-exhausting process. You don’t want to overburden your body the next day.”
Cold drinks are a bad idea, Ms. Snyder says. “Cold drinks impede your digestive enzymes and make digestion harder — that’s not going to help the toxins move through and you want everything to move out,” notes Ms. Snyder, who also founded Glow Bio, an organic smoothie and juice shop in Los Angeles. Sometimes, she likes to start this process the night before. “Put some concentrated cranberry in water and drink it before sleeping,” she says. “It’s a natural diuretic.”
Similarly, the notion of having more alcohol — “the hair of the dog” — to help remedy a hangover isn’t good. “Your body is already in emergency,” she says. “There’s a lot to deal with — just let it clear it all out.”
Probiotics and vitamin B supplements are helpful, says Ms. Snyder, who forgoes dairy-based yoghurts for coconut water or yoghurt that’s made with coconut milk. “Antioxidants and omega 3 fats will soothe and nourish you,” she says. A spoonful of bee pollen, which is “very rich in B vitamins and antioxidants” can help. “Just take a spoonful of it in the morning and it will help replenish what was lost.”
General food intake should be considered carefully. “The most common thing the next morning is to say, ‘I’m so hung over let’s go out to a big brunch,’ but the reason that you’re feeling uncomfortable is that your body is already dealing with something, and you don’t want to keep the toxins in your body any longer,” Ms. Snyder says. “A big greasy breakfast isn’t going to help that. You have to give your body the right nutrition to help it clear things out.”
It’s also wise to avoid salty foods. “Your body is already dehydrated,” Ms. Snyder says. “You don’t want a ton of sodium in your system.”
Instead, Ms. Snyder favours a pudding featuring chia seeds soaked in almond milk then topped with bananas. “It’s high in antioxidants and very anti-inflammatory — it’s just really going to help soothe you,” she says, noting that the fibre content of the seeds is useful as well.
If Ms. Snyder has a headache, she likes to rub a little lavender oil on her wrists, temples and behind her ears. While some exercise — a walk in the fresh air or stretching — can help, she cautions against hitting the gym for a strenuous workout right away. “You need to be gentle the next morning — you’ve given your body a lot to digest and dispel, so vigorous aerobic activities are a bad idea,” she says.
Finally, Ms. Snyder likes to trot out a few beauty panaceas. “Your skin’s going to want to be hydrated,” she says. “Mix some avocado and raw honey, mash that together and leave that on your face — in minutes, your skin will look smoother and rejuvenated.” Or, “soak cotton pads in green tea and put that over your face,” she adds. “The antioxidants will help tighten and wake up your skin.”
Five keys:
* Start the morning after with hot water and lemon and a spoonful of bee pollen.
* Avoid coffee, dairy, caffeinated drinks, more alcohol and cold beverages.
* Forgo the greasy breakfast and try a green smoothie, coconut yoghurt or chia seed pudding instead.
* Skip the strenuous workout and do gentle stretching or an easy walk instead.
* Natural face masks made with avocado and honey can help perk up dehydrated skin.
WSJ
Source: The Australian, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, 31st December 2015
