How to Avoid a Hangover
We’ve all been there. After a night of drinks, dancing (and maybe a little debauchery), you wake up feeling like there’s a jackhammer in your head, a desert in your mouth, and a rolling ocean in your stomach. Hangovers are the price we pay for a fun night out, but there are few things you can do (or not do) before, during, and after drinking to keep them at bay, or even avoid them entirely!
Before
Get a good base going! Drinking on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster, so make sure you’ve eaten before you indulge. Foods high in protein, fat, and fiber will help slow the absorption of alcohol, so those drinks won’t hit you as hard. If you’ll be wastin’ away a night with us, get your protein fill with one of our burgers or sandwiches (you haven’t lived until you’ve had jerk pulled pork), try our Volcano Nachos or Island Taco Salad for a dose of healthy fat from avocados, and add a side of seasonal vegetables to any dish for that fiber.
During
What you drink and how often you drink are two big factors that can contribute to a dreaded hangover. Dark liquors like whiskey, bourbon, and cognac are all high in compounds called congeners, which break down into formaldehyde (no joke) as your body processes alcohol and eliminates it from your body. Most people feel less of a hangover when they stick to clear liquors like vodka, white rum, and gin—good thing we’ve got plenty to go around! Raise a glass with one of our delicious daquiris or cocktails like the jam-packed Incommunicado, the creamy Lime in Di Coconut, or the refreshing Cucumber Cooler.
It’s important to pace yourself. One drink per hour is a good guide for most, but if you’re in the mood to sling a few more back, alternate alcoholic drinks with water, or virgin versions of our classics—think of it as a rinse cycle! Like the foods we mentioned above, fruit juice also slows the absorption of alcohol, and restores blood sugar levels.
After
So you’ve closed down the dance floor and it’s time to call it a night (or, early morning). Before you head to bed, try to get a big glass of water into you, or a sports drink to replace lost electrolytes. This might seem like an ideal time to pop a painkiller, but wait until morning to do that. Taking them before you go to sleep will just make your liver work harder, and it’s already pulling overtime to deal with all those drinks.
There are some supplements you can take the next morning that will help ease headaches and overall icky feelings. Natural anti-inflammatories like red ginseng, ginger, and prickly pear are all touted as remedies to help ease hangover symptoms.
Sleep is key too, which should be easy since you’re on vacation when you’re here! Once you’re up, the best thing to do is get some breakfast (or brunch, or lunch) into you, even if your stomach might be protesting. Aside from their common health benefits, eggs are a superfood when it comes to powering through a hangover. They help alleviate headaches and nausea, and are packed with protein. This tip goes all the way back to ancient Rome, so it’s got to be good! If your stomach is upset, stick to easy-to-digest foods like oatmeal (rich in vitamin B, calcium, and magnesium), bananas, and honey.
If all else fails, you can always try praying to the patron saint of hangovers, Saint Bibiana, for some post-inebriation intervention.