Hangover Recovery Plan for when you had too much alcohol FOOD.
Hangover recovery requires some work, but it’s better than feeling lousy. Why do “cheat meals” or “cheat days” (if you label them) feel so good in the moment, but leave you feeling so bad the next day? Recently, I had a late night dinner with too many “party” foods: chocolate, cheese, crackers, a few bites of pizza, etc.… I had a major surplus of sugar, omega–6 fatty acids (which are inflammatory when consumed in excess), and calories. Why did this unplanned food fest occur?
- The night before, I didn’t get much sleep.
- My nutrition throughout the week was not as “on-point” as it usually is.
- Poor planning… I didn’t have access to water during the day. #dehydrated
- I was on autopilot running around all day like a chicken with my head cut off, so a big dinner sounded like the perfect way to “wind down.”
The next morning, I woke up feeling like I was hit by a bus. Basically, I experienced the same feeling as a BAD hangover. My fingers and face were puffy, I didn’t want to get out of bed even though I had gotten plenty of sleep, and my body was sore. Yikes! Before you continue reading, please understand the following…
- I admit, I am more sensitive than the average person to certain foods.
- I don’t usually eat junk, so if I do, I notice how much it affects me compared to someone who is used to eating it daily.
- Having an education and interest in nutrition makes it harder for me to enjoy “junk” because I usually know what’s in my food and how it affects me.
That day, I needed a hangover recovery plan. After implementing a few biohacks, I was already feeling fresh as a daisy by the afternoon! In this blog, I will share some tips that may help you if you had a rough day (or a really fun night) that left you feeling subpar. Before I do that, I must make a few disclaimers…
- I’m not advocating a lifestyle of constant detox & re-tox. A healthy, balanced lifestyle is best. but I do want to share some tips that may help you if you had a rough day (or a really fun night) that left you feeling subpar.
- Please know that everyone is different and listen to your own body when implementing these tips. Talk with your doctor to see if the supplements I mention below are appropriate for you BEFORE you purchase & take any of them.
- Some of these tips are really quick and easy. Others require more time. The day I did these steps was a weekend day, so I had the gift of time to get myself together. You can pick and choose from the list if you’re low on time.
Okay, let’s get to the hangover recovery plan…
- The night of the large, sugary, carb-heavy meal…
- I took 3 capsules of Bulletproof Activated Coconut Charcoal. Activated charcoal is a highly absorbent and can capture and remove up to 100 times the charcoal’s own weight in toxins.
“For centuries, charcoal has been used in Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, and Western Medicine as an absorbent agent to many poisons and intestinal issues. Charcoal is proven to bind to mold toxins and many other organic poisons that may be present in the environment and in the body. Toxicology studies show activated charcoal to be harmless, not interfering with sleep, appetite, or well-being (Source: Bulletproof).”
Please know that dosage requirements vary depending on the circumstances, and the high adsorption of charcoal may reduce effectiveness of medications. Therefore, don’t take charcoal at the same time as medications. This stuff is great if you plan on drinking alcohol, dining out, etc.
- The morning of the hangover, I did all of the following things:
- Splashed VERY cold water to wash my face… Felt amazing on my puffy skin. 😉
- Scraped my tongue using a tongue scraper to get rid of morning phlegm, which usually comes only if I consume too much dairy the night before (Sorry if this is TMI!).
- Opened my window to get some fresh air.
- Drank a giant glass of ice water with lemon. The ice was refreshing!
- Took the following supplements: vitamin C, vitamin D, Crucera-SGS (broccoli seed extract), Primal Defense Ultra Probiotic, and Methyl-Guard. I take vitamin D and the probiotic daily. Crucera-SGS is an indirect antioxidant that provides long-lasting cell protection from free radical damage. Methyl-Guard supports brain and bone health and contains many B vitamins. All of these supplements (except for vitamin C) were recommended to me by my doctor.
- Inhaled some peppermint essential oil (great for headaches and energy).
- Went to walk my neighbor’s dog while listening to some uplifting podcasts, which helped get me out of my funk. I’m not advising that you go walk your neighbor’s dog (I’m a part-time dog-sitter.), but try to find some activity that makes you feel good.
- In the afternoon, I did the following things…
- Made a big batch of Yerba Mate Green Tea.
- Got my lymphatic system going by doing some exercises and stretches on my vibe plate. Just 15-30 minutes a day of whole body vibration using a vibe plate or power plate can help detoxify and strengthen the immune system. The short workout also got me sweating, which has its own host of health benefits. If you don’t have access to a vibe plate (most people don’t), you can try the methods mentioned in this list to encourage a healthy lymphatic system. Another great thing to do if you’re not feeling your best: relax in a sauna.
- Took dessicated liver capsules (the most potent way to get vitamin A, a nutrient that is quickly depleted when you put a lot of stress on your body). This supplement is NOT a necessity and supplementing with vitamin A is quite controversial. Too much vitamin A can be toxic. However, I take it for skin maintenance (not every day)… again, recommended by my doctor.
- A 5-10 minute love and kindness meditation sitting outside in the grass. I also walked around in the grass barefoot for a few minutes for “grounding” effects. I don’t know much about “earthing” or “grounding” and have not read/learned enough about it to know if it’s “woo-woo” or not, but I figured it didn’t hurt to try it. It always feels good to be outside!
- Took a VERY cold bath. To learn more about the benefits of cold thermogenesis, checkout this blog I wrote a few months ago.
- In the evening, I did the following things…
- Took the Trace Minerals, which keeps the cells hydrated. The nervous system requires trace minerals to function properly. I also took ProOmega (EPA/DHA).
- Drank caffeine-free turmeric & ginger tea, a powerful anti-inflammatory drink. I added L-Glutamine powder to the tea. Learn more about the proven benefits of L-Glutamine here.
- Used my light therapy device on my skin, which helps prevent breakouts.
- Once again, I took Bulletproof Activated Coconut Charcoal many hours after taking the supplements I mentioned. Remember, don’t take charcoal with your medications or supplements.
- Got some extra sleep
Finally, I went back to eating whole foods (nothing refined, sugary, or highly processed) to give my body a break.
There you have it!
- A lot of supplements? Yes. I would say if you could only pick one supplement on the whole list for your food hangover, go with the Bulletproof Activated Coconut Charcoal.
- A lot of biohacks? Yes.
- Am I an extreme person? Yes. Sorry ‘bout it. You don’t need to be as extreme as me.
- Is everything I mentioned in this blog supported with scientific, concrete evidence? No. But I achieved my goal… I felt better!
- Did my actions have a placebo effect on my thoughts/results? Maybe! But who cares? Like I said, I felt great by the end of the day.
Of course, it’s best to not get in this situation in the first place, but I am only human. If you find yourself desperate for a hangover recovery plan, I hope some of these steps can help you. 😀 Don’t forget to comment below: What are your favorite cures for hangover recovery?
