6 Foods To Eat And 6 To Avoid When You Have A Hangover

So you had a few too many last night. If this isn't your first time at the rodeo, you may already know there are certain do's and don'ts when it comes to nursing a hangover, but you might be surprised to find out that some of your favorite hangover remedies have been blacklisted by experts who have your best interest at heart.

However, before we get into all of that, let's provide a quick rundown of what a hangover actually is. According to Healthline, there are several ways alcohol contributes to those icky feelings we all know and loathe the next day. For starters, alcohol is a diuretic, which contributes to dehydration and other uncomfortable symptoms. Sleep problems, gastrointestinal issues, and electrolyte imbalances are just a few more side effects of drinking alcohol to add on to the list. Certain foods can exacerbate these symptoms, or ease them. If you're curious to know which of these two categories your favorite hangover foods fall into, continue reading to learn more.

While your brain may be begging you for a nice, greasy brunch at your local diner, your body may be begging you to hold off. According to experts, contrary to popular belief, a giant burger with bacon, cheese, and all the fixings doesn't actually make your hangover go away, but instead may make it worse. Ali Tager, nutritionist and health coach at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, spoke to Insider and explained that, "Indulging in greasy food is actually the worst thing you can do for your body. Alcohol is broken down via the same metabolic pathway as fat, so while your body is breaking down those margaritas you threw back last night, it will have to put that greasy food to the side." This means that your hangover symptoms will actually drag on, due to the fact that your body is packing away fat.

Another reason to stay away from greasy food? It may just worsen symptoms of an upset stomach. Michael Betancourt, owner, operator, and manager at hydration therapy company Vida-Flo in Hoboken, New Jersey spoke to Eat This, Not That!, and explained, "Stay away from greasy foods. These types of foods would traditionally upset your stomach anyway, so if your stomach is already upset, you just compounded the two!"

We know, we know. For many, coffee is a godsend when it comes to helping to ease a hangover. You're tired, your head is throbbing, and you feel like you can barely move. So why, for the love of God, would you forgo your daily coffee at a time like this? Unfortunately, according to the Cleveland Clinic, your faithful morning companion is also a diuretic, meaning it will only add to symptoms of dehydration. Emergency medicine physician James Roach spoke to the site and explained that if you are trying to nip your hangover in the bud, that "Drinking coffee could actually slow down your rehydration process." Oops.

Furthermore, he says that caffeine in coffee may also have negative effects on your hangover due to the fact that it can cause your blood pressure to go up, which may further contribute to your headache. On the other hand, if you are a regular coffee drinker, not having your morning cup may send you into withdrawal, which may also trigger a headache. Sigh. If this is the case, Roach suggests having a small cup of coffee to avoid withdrawal symptoms, but not pushing it any further.

While you may be tempted to load up on bacon and sausage the morning after, too much protein may spell trouble for your tummy. Nutritionist Ali Tager spoke to Insider to explain just why it's not the best idea: "Be wary of the protein to carb ratio of your meal. Your blood sugar might be low from over consuming alcohol, so ensure that your meal includes a healthy balance of carbs and protein to keep it steady." The idea here is to find the right balance, according to Tager — not to eliminate protein all together. In fact, Healthline suggests that including protein in your meals may have some positive effects on your hangover. The site explains that when you drink alcohol, your body is unable to absorb amino acids. Because protein is broken down into amino acids, eating it is a good way to supplement what wasn't able to be absorbed as a result of drinking. However, instead of just chowing down on pure protein, Tager suggests incorporating complex carbs into a dish with leaner meats such as turkey or chicken (via Insider). 

You've heard about it before, you've thought about it before, and let's be honest — you've probably done it. Although "hair of the dog" is a beloved and time-honored fable, experts say it's also a myth. In case you're not familiar with this so-called hangover busting technique, it's based on the idea that drinking more alcohol while hungover will nix your hangover. According to experts at Healthline, this is not, in fact, true, despite the fact that 11% of drinkers have reported trying the technique.

For starters, the site explains that after a night of drinking, your body will break down the alcohol with the goal of returning your alcohol levels to 0%. This point is when hangover symptoms are at their worst, so while you might experience temporary relief by way of increased endorphins and other pleasant chemical reactions, you are ultimately just postponing your hangover, and steadily increasing its severity. What's more, engaging in this habit is connected to alcohol abuse, "and may normalize unhealthy drinking patterns," according to the site. Your best bet is to stick to water.

Having a cup of orange juice in the morning post hangover with a slice of toast seems harmless, right? Well, according to science, it may be making things worse. While normally drinking orange juice does offer many positive benefits, drinking it while hungover may spell trouble for your tummy. Livestrong explains that if you are already feeling nauseous and with an irritated stomach, the high acidity of orange juice may exacerbate those symptoms, triggering a stomach ache. Drinking OJ may also trigger what is called acid reflux, which is when stomach acid is regurgitated into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation also known as heartburn. Acid reflux may also contribute to a sore throat, trouble swallowing, and even vomiting. Instead, Insider suggests drinking a juice like apple or cranberry which, due to their high level of fructose, can boost blood sugar levels and replenish the body's energy.

Yes, you read that right. Sadly, breakfast sandwiches have made it onto the list of don'ts. We know you're probably heartbroken, but it's best to hear the experts out on this one. Registered dietitian Andrea Chernus spoke to Thrillist and explained just why smashing a big ole breakfast sandwich during a hangover may not be your best bet. Of the sandwiches, she says, "Eggs with toast or eggs, potatoes, and toast would be better, because then at least you're getting nutrients that the body actually does need. A bacon, egg, and cheese is like your whole day's worth of saturated fats." If you plan to make a healthier sandwich out of eggs, whole wheat toast, and a slice of non-processed cheese, you're probably in the green zone. However things start to get troublesome when your sandwich is piled high with slices of bacon, high-fat sausage, and processed cheese, according to Everyday Health. Other ways to make a lighter breakfast sandwich include choosing a leaner meat such as turkey sausage, adding veggies, and making sure to eat the whole egg (not just the egg white) for added protein and nutrition.