Disclaimer: Drunchies should be consumed by those able to legally drink
Most college students know the feeling of being extremely hungry after drinking. The craving for a late night Domino’s run or greasy Flying Bison haunts many after a long night of drinking. But can these cravings created by drunkenness actually be good for you?
It depends. Many foods are extremely good for you after drinking. Foods like meats and breads soak up the alcohol, allowing us to become sober more quickly. These cuisines also reduce the risk of a hangover the next day. Furthermore, eating a little bit of food allows the alcohol to soak into something other than your bloodstream while you sleep, leaving you less nauseous the next morning.
However, eating the wrong foods can lead to headaches, further dehydration, diarrhea, and even vomiting. Foods that are extremely greasy and high in fats can upset your stomach without even absorbing any of the alcohol. Thus, the next morning, not only will you have eaten a lot of high-fat foods, but you’ll also be even more dehydrated and hungover.
So what should you eat after a night spent drinking?
Though time is the greatest cure for the effects of drinking alcohol, certain foods and drinks may prevent or lessen hangovers. The most helpful tip is to drink plenty of water. But to satisfy drunchy cravings, medical groups have obtained information on the most effective foods to eat to diminish the severity of your hangover. Doctors would recommend a light, protein rich meal. Alcohol often increases your blood sugar. Therefore, eating foods high in protein will offset the sugar rise and keep nausea down. Medical groups recommend healthy foods with large amounts of water. Specifically, doctors recommend eating foods like chicken noodle soup, Miso soup – a type of Japanese soup high in sodium – crackers, toast, eggs or oatmeal.
Avoid foods with high levels of grease and acid. Foods like pizza or cheeseburgers often irritate the stomach and lead to vomiting. However, eating greasy foods before drinking can insulate the stomach and preemptively absorb alcohol. Citrusy fruits and drinks like orange juice can irritate the stomach. Furthermore, drinking more alcohol in the morning, while it may take the edge off for the moment, can actually provoke a more serious, lasting hangover.
Though these options are generally the best and most effective meals to cure nausea and dehydration, most college students are rarely craving a Japanese soup after a night spent drinking. Thus, many medical groups appeal to collegiettes by explaining that avocado absorbs alcohol. Thus, groups like The Thrillest recommend replacing a late night Domino’s run with chips and guacamole. And if salt and grease are all that can satisfy your late night drunchies, fries are not the worst thing you can eat to prevent a hangover.