What is the best thing to eat after a night of drinking?

December 26, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, alcohol acts as a diuretic, leading to dehydration, which is a major cause of hangover symptoms. This is why what is the best thing to eat after a night of drinking often includes foods that combat dehydration, replenish electrolytes, and support your body's recovery.

Quick Summary

Find out the optimal foods and drinks to aid your body’s recovery and lessen hangover symptoms after consuming alcohol. Focus on replenishing lost electrolytes and nutrients, soothing your stomach, and rehydrating with the right dietary choices to feel better.

Key Points

Prioritize Hydration: Start with electrolyte-rich drinks like coconut water or a sports drink, as alcohol causes severe dehydration.
Eat Eggs: Eggs contain cysteine, which helps break down the toxin acetaldehyde, a major contributor to hangover symptoms.
Replenish Potassium: Avocados and bananas are excellent sources of potassium, an important electrolyte lost after drinking.
Soothe Your Stomach: Opt for bland, easy-to-digest foods like toast, rice, or applesauce if you have an upset stomach.
Avoid Greasy Foods and Coffee: Greasy meals and caffeine can worsen dehydration and put more strain on your digestive system.
Focus on Complex Carbs: Foods like oats and sweet potatoes can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and provide sustained energy.

Understanding the Effects of Alcohol on Your Body

Alcohol's diuretic effect causes dehydration and loss of electrolytes like potassium and sodium, contributing to hangover symptoms. It can also lower blood sugar, cause stomach issues, and lead to fatigue and headaches.

The Importance of Hydration and Electrolytes

Rehydration is crucial. Along with water, electrolyte-rich options help restore balance. Coconut water offers potassium, while adding lemon provides Vitamin C.

Best Foods to Aid Your Recovery

Choosing foods that are easy to digest and nutrient-dense is recommended. Foods containing cysteine, like eggs, can help process acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol. Potassium-rich foods like avocado and bananas are beneficial. Other helpful options include ginger for nausea, oats for energy, hydrating fruits like watermelon, and salmon for B vitamins. Bland foods such as those found in the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) can help sensitive stomachs.

Comparison of Hangover Food Choices

A comparison of hangover food choices often highlights hydrating fruits, electrolyte-rich foods, protein and amino acids, complex carbohydrates, and bland, gentle foods. Hydrating fruits like watermelon and oranges help replenish fluids. Electrolyte-rich foods such as avocados, bananas, and coconut water restore essential minerals. Protein and amino acids, found in eggs and salmon, aid in breaking down toxins. Complex carbohydrates like oats and sweet potatoes stabilize blood sugar. Bland foods like toast and rice are gentle on an upset stomach.

What to Avoid Eating

Avoid greasy or fatty foods, which are hard to digest. Acidic, spicy foods, and caffeine can irritate the stomach and worsen dehydration. Sugary items can cause blood sugar swings, and drinking more alcohol delays recovery.

A Sample Post-Drinking Meal Plan

A suggested recovery plan includes coconut water and eggs with avocado toast in the morning. Lunch could be grilled salmon with greens, and a simple option for the evening is rice or a baked sweet potato.

Conclusion: Focus on Nutrients, Not Cravings

The best food after drinking supports rehydration and detoxification with nutrient-rich, easy-to-digest options. Prioritize water and electrolyte drinks, and choose foods like eggs, avocado, and hydrating fruits to help your body recover faster. Resting is also important. For more information on detoxifying and healthy habits, consider visiting reputable health sites. {Link: Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hangovers/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373015}.

Pro Tip: Listen to Your Body

Pay attention to what your body can tolerate. Resting and avoiding more alcohol are also crucial for recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Greasy, high-fat foods are a common craving because they provide a quick surge of calories. The body’s blood sugar can drop after alcohol consumption, leading to a desire for quick energy. However, these foods are difficult for an irritated digestive system to process and can prolong your misery.

Eating a balanced meal before drinking is highly recommended. It slows the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream and helps prevent an upset stomach and rapid blood sugar drops later.

No, coffee does not cure a hangover. In fact, because caffeine is a diuretic, it can further dehydrate you, potentially making your hangover symptoms worse. It’s best to stick to water or herbal teas.

The 'hair of the dog'—having more alcohol—is a temporary fix that only delays your recovery. It adds more toxins to your body and prolongs the detoxification process, ultimately worsening your hangover.

Yes, sports drinks can help because they contain electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which are lost due to alcohol's diuretic effect. They are a more efficient way to rehydrate than plain water alone.

The duration of a hangover varies depending on the person and the amount of alcohol consumed. Symptoms can last up to 24 hours. The only true cure is time, but proper hydration and nutrition can help manage symptoms.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with headaches, but use caution. Aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate your stomach, and acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage when combined with alcohol. Always consult a doctor or follow package instructions.