Recovering from a heavy meal or heavy drinking: the healthy way
Well, it was the weekend. And after a long week of hard work, you deserve to treat yourself and visit the restaurants and bars with some of your friends. But now it’s the next day and you’re feeling a bit guilty, lazy, bigger around the waist, and possibly a bit hungover. How do you quickly recover from your weekend extravaganza and get back to normal?
To get you back in tip shape as quickly as possible, I’ve outlined some simple tips to get you started and divided them into two categories for your convenience: binge drinking and eating.
If you drank too much:
1. Water
I can’t stress how good the water is for you. For preventive measures against hangovers the next day, drink at least 2 glasses of water before going to bed. As alcohol dehydrates your body’s system, rehydrating it can very effectively counteract the effects of alcohol.
2. Sports drinks (ie Gatorade)
Similarly to the above, sports drinks are high in electrolytes that can help not only replenish electrolytes, but also rehydrate your body. Drink it before you go to bed and the next morning if you are not feeling in top shape!
3. Lemon water
If you don’t have sports drinks, lemon water is an excellent healthy alternative to cure a hangover. Take some warm water and squeeze at least half a lemon. Lemon is ideal for you, since it activates the functions of your liver, releasing and eliminating your toxins and cleaning your interior.
4. Supplements or foods rich in vitamin B and C
Since alcohol is a diuretic, many vitamins and nutrients are lost after a night of heavy drinking. If possible, take a multivitamin supplement to replenish your body’s nutrients, and if you can’t, focus on getting at least vitamins B and C back in your body. Vitamin B aids in the metabolizing processes of alcohol by dilating your blood vessels and restoring your energy level, while Vitamin C stimulates the liver and helps break down alcohol to ensure you are on your way to a faster recovery and fast.
5. Exercise
As bad as it may feel, getting a little light exercise can really help cure a hangover. Going for a walk / run and doing some light stretching can help increase blood circulation and make your body rid itself of toxins faster.
If you ate too much:
1. Sit back and relax
Immediately after a large meal, sit down, relax, and focus on your digestion. When you do this, your parasympathetic system will be activated, speeding up your digestion. In circumstances, do not go to bed immediately, as your entire body system will slow down and your digestive speed will be reduced.
2. Have some tea
Herbal teas like peppermint, peppermint, ginger, or chamomile are great for preventing bloating and helping with digestion and cleansing the system. Have a cup of tea after a large meal to calm your stomach and reduce feelings of fullness after a large meal.
3. Walk
After getting some rest, go for a 30-minute walk, and make sure you continue to do so for a few days after that night of heavy meals. Walking helps move food through your digestive system and encourages the cleansing of your body’s system. You will feel much lighter and less guilty after light exercise!
4. The next day, eat well and don’t starve.
Eating your normal meals a day the following days is important, as it ensures consistency and regularity in your body’s digestion. One tip is to eat a healthy breakfast rich in insoluble fiber to get your intestines moving. Excellent options include oatmeal, high-fiber cereals, and whole-grain breads and fruits. Remember to also drink plenty of water to help your body digest and eliminate toxins and waste!
5. Take a digestive supplement
Digestive supplements are great to aid in the digestion and detoxification of food. They should normally contain supplies of enzymes to help break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to relieve bloating and indigestion and promote cleansing and detoxification through your body’s systems. If you’re not sure which supplement to buy, there is a good supplement on the market called USANA’s Digestive Enzyme that works well and helps your body recover quickly from excesses. If you feel like it, give it a try!
I hope you feel much better!