The ultimate (healthy) hangover snack after a festival

You just went all out at your favorite festival, the beats are still echoing in your head, and... here it comes: the hangover. Whether it’s due to alcohol, lack of sleep, or a cocktail of everything mixed together, your body is screaming for recovery. And guess what? What you eat can actually make a real difference. Forget about the usual greasy food you might regret later. Want to know what helps you feel fresh again and is also healthy? Read on!

How does the hangover happen?

Alcohol and MDMA use dehydrate you, your blood sugar drops, and your body tries to break down all the toxins. This leads to both physical and mental complaints, often resulting in fatigue, moodiness, headaches, and just a general awful feeling.

This means you need food that:

• Hydrates you
• Restores your energy
• Helps your body recover

Why do we often opt for greasy food?

People often choose a greasy, unhealthy "hangover meal" because they crave quick energy and comfort after exhaustion from drugs or alcohol. The brain craves fat and sugar because they stimulate the reward system and temporarily boost exhausted neurotransmitters like dopamine. Plus, a hangover lowers self-discipline, making convenience and comfort more important than healthy eating.

But why is that not wise?

Fatty and spicy foods will make your stomach more unsettled and delay your intake of the right nutrients. Instead, opt for a balanced meal with a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats to keep your stomach calm. Also, sugary snacks give you a short spike in blood sugar but will leave you feeling even worse afterward.

Choose helpful nutrients

After using MDMA, your body needs nutrients to recover and get back in balance. Think fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins like eggs or chicken. But who wants to eat that when you're hungover? That’s where you can get creative with these ingredients to make something tasty while still packing in the right nutrients — and you’ll feel like you’re eating a kebab, but healthy!

5 good ingredients to help you recover:

1. Eggs

Eggs are rich in cysteine, an amino acid that helps your body break down toxins like acetaldehyde (the culprit behind the hangover).

Hangover meal: Fried eggs with cheese. Or a healthy sandwich with egg, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber.

2. Avocado

Avocado contains healthy fats that give you energy and also has potassium to help recovery.

Hangover meal: Avocado-toast: with whole-grain bread, avocado, a boiled or fried egg, chili flakes, and a bit of lemon juice (vitamin C).

3. Fruit and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables help hydrate you and are a natural source of vitamins to make you feel fresh again. Fruits like bananas, oranges, or kiwis are always good. These are light meals and easy to digest.

Hangover meal: Rice cake with hummus and cucumber: Light and hydrating. Or make a fruit salad if you struggle to eat a dry rice cake.

Hangover meal: Bananas with peanut butter: Easy, delicious, and full of energy. Or with your yogurt.

4. (Noodle) soup

Noodle soup is a real comfort food hero after a rough night, and for good reason. It combines hydration, electrolytes, and easily digestible carbs in one steaming bowl. Whether you go for classic ramen, pho, or a simple broth with noodles, it helps your body recover in multiple ways.

5. Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are packed with carbs that gradually raise your energy levels without causing a sugar crash. They also provide fiber to help your digestion (important after a night of partying), and are rich in potassium, a mineral you lose through alcohol or other substances.

Hangover meal:Zoete aardappel hash: Cubed sweet potatoes, fried egg, avocado, and salt and pepper.

Hangover meal: Make a healthy kebab!

Hydration is key

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water! Add a bit of lemon or ginger for a refreshing taste and extra recovery power. Ginger also calms your stomach and reduces nausea. Don’t drink too much at once but sip water or tea throughout the day.

Hopefully, these foods and nutrients will help you feel better in no time! And let’s face it: after all that festival joy, you deserve to take good care of yourself. So fire up that blender, fry an egg, and make sure you recover quickly!

A final tip:

Buy your food in advance or prep a meal so all you have to do is warm it up when you don’t feel like cooking.

Other important substances: Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, L-tryptophan, magnesium. Want to skip your dip with an all-in-one? Then order SKIP JE DIP!

Or read the blog about 7 tips against the tuesday-dip for more information.