What is best to eat after being drunk?

December 25, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the best hangover cure is time and plenty of fluids, but consuming the right foods can significantly ease symptoms. For those wondering what is best to eat after being drunk, the focus should be on nutrient-rich, hydrating, and easy-to-digest options to help your body recover.

Quick Summary

This guide covers the best foods and drinks for relieving hangover symptoms, including hydrating beverages, nutrient-dense fruits, and soothing carbs. It explains why alcohol depletes key nutrients and how strategic food choices can aid recovery, while highlighting which foods to avoid to prevent further discomfort.

Key Points

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Replenishing fluids with water, coconut water, or electrolyte drinks is crucial for recovery.
Embrace Bland Foods: Stick to easy-to-digest carbs like toast or oatmeal to soothe an irritated stomach and boost blood sugar.
Replenish Potassium: Combat potassium loss with foods like bananas and avocados.
Opt for Nutrient-Dense Options: Foods rich in B vitamins and antioxidants, such as eggs and leafy greens, help your body metabolize alcohol.
Avoid Greasy and Spicy Foods: Heavy, greasy, and spicy meals can worsen stomach upset.
Say No to 'Hair of the Dog': Drinking more alcohol will only delay recovery.
Plan Ahead to Prevent: Eating a balanced meal before drinking can help slow alcohol absorption.

Rehydrating and Replenishing Electrolytes

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration and deplete electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Rehydration is a key step in recovery.

Coconut Water: This is a natural source of electrolytes that can help restore fluid balance. It's often lower in sugar than some sports drinks.
Electrolyte-Enhanced Beverages: Drinks like sports drinks or pediatric rehydration solutions can quickly replace lost electrolytes and fluids. Be mindful of sugar content.
Bone Broth: Rich in minerals, bone broth is hydrating and can be gentle on the stomach. Its protein and gelatin content may also help.
Watermelon: With high water content, watermelon aids rehydration and contains amino acids beneficial for liver function.

Soothing Your Stomach with Bland Foods

Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, leading to nausea and indigestion. Bland, easily digestible foods can help.

Toast and Crackers: These complex carbohydrates can help stabilize blood sugar and may ease nausea. Adding avocado provides nutrients.
Oatmeal: This is a gentle source of slow-releasing carbohydrates and contains anti-inflammatory fibers.
Bananas: Easy to digest and rich in potassium, bananas are a classic choice for hangovers.
Scrambled or Poached Eggs: Eggs provide protein and cysteine, an amino acid that assists the liver in processing alcohol byproducts. Avoid excess grease.

Replenishing Lost Nutrients

Drinking can deplete nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin C, and zinc. Replenishing these supports recovery.

Salmon: This fish offers omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins, both affected by alcohol.
Avocado: Provides healthy fats, vitamin B6, and potassium, aiding recovery.
Leafy Greens: Spinach and kale are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Spinach can be a good addition to eggs.
Fruit and Nut Butter: This combination offers sustained energy and replaces vitamins.

Comparison Table: Best vs. Worst Post-Drunk Foods


Food Type	Best Choices	Worst Choices	Rationale for Best Choices	Rationale for Worst Choices
Hydration	Coconut Water, Bone Broth, Watermelon	Caffeinated Coffee, Sugary Energy Drinks, Alcohol	Replenishes lost electrolytes and fluids effectively.	Further dehydrates the body and can worsen stomach irritation.
Carbohydrates	Toast, Crackers, Oatmeal	Greasy Fast Food, Sugary Pastries	Gentle on the stomach and stabilizes blood sugar.	Difficult to digest, increases inflammation, and spikes blood sugar.
Protein	Eggs, Grilled Chicken or Salmon	Greasy Sausage or Bacon	Provides amino acids to help liver function without added grease.	Excessive fat can stress a sensitive digestive system.
Nutrients	Avocados, Bananas, Leafy Greens	None	Replenishes vitamins and minerals depleted by alcohol.	N/A

To aid recovery, avoid foods like greasy items, spicy or acidic options, and excessive sugar, as these can worsen symptoms. Caffeine is also best avoided as it can cause dehydration. Eating before drinking can slow alcohol absorption, while eating after focuses on recovery. For severe alcohol poisoning, seek immediate medical attention. Additional tips include listening to your body, not rushing recovery, and planning ahead by eating a balanced meal before drinking and alternating alcoholic drinks with water to potentially reduce hangover severity. More detailed information on hangover remedies can be found on {Link: Cleveland Clinic https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-foods-for-hangover}.

Conclusion: A Gentle Approach to Recovery

The best way to address what to eat after being drunk is to focus on hydration and nutrient replenishment with gentle, easily digestible foods. Unlike the myth of a greasy breakfast, opting for complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables supports recovery by stabilizing blood sugar, soothing the stomach, and providing essential nutrients. While time and rest are the ultimate cures, smart food choices can ease symptoms.

Additional Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

For a hangover, you should drink plenty of water, electrolyte-rich beverages like coconut water or a sports drink, and soothing broths to rehydrate and replenish lost minerals.

No, greasy food is not good for a hangover. It can irritate your already sensitive digestive system and increase inflammation, making you feel worse.

You crave salty foods when hungover because your body has lost electrolytes like sodium through frequent urination. While replenishing sodium is good, overly salty processed foods can worsen dehydration; opt for a balanced electrolyte drink instead.

No, coffee is not recommended for a hangover. As a diuretic, it can worsen dehydration, and its acidic nature may further irritate your stomach.

Yes, bananas are excellent for a hangover. They are rich in potassium, an electrolyte often depleted by alcohol, and are gentle on the stomach.

To settle a nauseous stomach, try bland, easy-to-digest foods like crackers, toast, or a bowl of oatmeal. Ginger tea is also known for its nausea-reducing properties.

No, eating does not help you sober up faster, as the liver processes alcohol at a fixed rate. However, eating before drinking can slow the rate of alcohol absorption, and eating after can help manage symptoms and replenish nutrients.