Inside Scoop: We’ve got you covered with our top tips on how to combat a hangover naturally, and the best hangover cure smoothie recipes.

You know us, we enjoy our wine, but as we get older and are more focused on our health, intense hangovers aren’t something we frequent anymore. That’s not to say that we don’t go out and enjoy a glass of wine, and it’s definitely not to say that 1 glass of wine doesn’t turn into 1 or 2 extra glasses (especially around the holidays), so while we might not have those deep seeded hangovers, there are occasions where we wake up and feel less motivated, and in need of proper nutrients.

The old us would say the cure is cheeseburgers and gatorade, but after years of realizing that greasy cheeseburgers and sugar-laced gatorade just makes us feel worse, we’re putting emphasis on real hangover remedies that come naturally, and are incredibly easy on your digestion.

After all is said in done, hangovers can be quite painful, with headaches, feeling queasy, lethargy and lack of motivation and drive. For the most part we tend to go out with no intention of waking up feeling like a pile… so, if you have good intentions but when the drinks come out you tend to get carried away, remember these 5 Nutrition Tips For Busting Those Pesky Hangovers.

Our Top 5 tips for reducing hangovers & the best hangover cure smoothie recipes.

1. Take it easy with Over-EZ.

We’ve recently discovered this awesome supplement that helps your body and your liver metabolize alcohol and replenishes all those nutrients you lose with alcohol consumption. While this shouldn’t be an excuse to drink irresponsibly, it’s definitely going to leave you feeling much more energized and ready to take on the day the next morning. #nomorehangovers

2. Don’t drink on an empty stomach.

When you drink on an empty stomach, the alcohol is absorbed faster, you get drunk faster and run the risk of getting sick.

3. Drink slowly.

Enjoy conversations and socializing with friends and pace yourself. Our liver can filter about 1 unit of alcohol an hour, so give it the time.

4. Hydrate.

Drink 1 glass of water for every alcoholic beverage. This also gives you a small break. If you’re having a mixed drink you can use sparkling water, lemon and mint instead of juices as a mixer.

5. Have a nutrient dense smoothie pre and post drinking.

Smoothies are hands down one of the easiest ways to hydrate and add a boat load of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and electrolytes before and after an evening out. To make the perfect smoothie, check out “The Basic Art of Making the Best Smoothie Ever”.

WHY ARE SMOOTHIES SO AWESOME FOR YOUR HANGOVERS?

Alcohol is essentially a diuretic, which draws water away from our cells, causing dehydration. It has a horrible tendency to burn through the body’s stores of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, and what you experience when you wake up with a dreaded hangover, is basically a bowl of deficiency topped off with a dose of dehydration.

If you eat foods that are high in basic vitamins, minerals and electrolytes pre and post drinking; you can set your body up with the tools you need to avoid feeling rough.

Smoothies are pretty awesome. You take a couple of handfuls of really healthy foods, blend them up and get a delicious tasting fusion. It’s quick, it’s on-the-go, it’s easy to prep and clean. It’s also easy to drink and gentle on your digestive system and if done right, it contains the vital nutrients to keep you feeling vibrant and light.

HOW SMOOTHIES CAN HELP TO CURE YOUR HANGOVER

ELECTROLYTES

Your body’s electrolytes are potassium, magnesium, sodium, chloride and calcium, and they all need to be in a harmonious balance for your body to function properly. Unchecked electrolyte balance can throw off the fluid balance in your body, and could end up causing severe and potentially deadly side effects. The racing heart rate, muscle twitching or weakness after a night out might be some side effects you’re familiar with.

Foods that contain specific electrolytes like potassium, magnesium and calcium include: bananas, avocados, coconut water, leafy greens (spinach, kale, swiss chard, arugula), raw nuts and seeds and yogurt and they will keep your body rocking, and keep those electrolyte levels nice and stable!

Just for fun: Believe it or not foods such as burger and fries are high in electrolytes such as sodium and chloride – so as we don’t condone eating a fatty greasy meal to combat your hangover, it could be the reason why we crave it so bad!

ANTIOXIDANTS 

Yes, we know red wine is one source of antioxidants, but when you exceed 1-2 servings the damaging effects of alcohol outweigh that benefit. Antioxidants may help to protect your cells against the negative effects of alcohol, and luckily there are plenty of sources out there that are perfect additions to smoothies: berries, apples, dark leafy greens and powders such as maca or spirulina, cacao nibs, matcha and goji berries. These foods are also packed with Vitamin C that acts as an antioxidant and is depleted when we have one glass too many.

B VITAMINS

B Vitamins have so many roles in your body for proper cellular function, metabolism, nerve function and energy production. They are depleted by excessive alcohol consumption and you can replenish most of them with a smoothie and healthy meals throughout the day. The perfect foods include nuts and seeds (richest sources being almonds, sunflower, sesame and flax seeds), dark leafy greens, avocados, bananas, yogurt, salmon and eggs.

HEALTHY FATS 

Healthy fats will help you feel satiated as they add density to a smoothie and they’ll curb those cravings. Raw nuts, nut butters, nut milks or hemp/chia/flax seeds are the perfect addition to a smoothie.

Here are 3 Of our favourite Hangover Cure Smoothies

1. Electrolyte Balancing

• 1 cup almond or coconut milk, or coconut water
• 1⁄2 large cucumber peeled and sliced
• 1 cup fresh/frozen blueberries
• 1 Tbsp flax meal or chia seeds
• 1 Tbsp raw honey or stevia to taste (optional)
• Ice (optional)

2. Burst of Energy

• 1 cup unsweetened almond/coconut/hemp or rice milk
• 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 banana
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp flax meal or chia seeds
• 1 Tbsp raw honey or stevia to taste (optional)
• Ice (optional)

3. Spiced Blood Sugar Balancer

• 1 cup almond or coconut milk
• 1 Tbsp flax meal or chia seeds
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 banana
• 1 cup of spinach
• 1 Tbsp of almond or peanut butter
• 1 Tbsp raw honey or stevia to taste (optional)
• Ice (optional)

* Your Naughty Nutritionists do not support binge or heavy drinking which can be extremely harmful. Click here to download the Canadian Guidelines for Drinking.

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