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The Chicago Traveler

Hangover Helpers

by Matt B on January 1st, 2008

hangoverWelcome to 2008! If you’re starting off this New Year with a headache, a stomachache, and a dry mouth, I’m going to guess that you had a very good time last night. But now, you barely have enough energy to read this sentence! Don’t worry; we’re all guilty of a little overindulgence now and then. But before you reach for that hangover-helper myth, here are a few facts:

Eating greasy food does not help cure a hangover. Eating fatty foods before you start drinking may help slow the absorption of alcohol, giving the liver more time to do its job. However, once the alcohol is in your bloodstream, eating comfort foods won’t make much of a difference. And if your stomach is upset, greasy meals may just make it all that more irritable. You’re better off just having toast or crackers.

  • In the Boystown area, Melrose Restaurant is always open and always busy. Before a night out, pig out on burgers or on one of their famous four-egg omelets. For the morning after, you’ll probably want to stick to the chicken noodle soup. (map)
  • Feeling cranky? Take your nasty attitude to The Wiener’s Circle, where the staff can dish it out just as well as they can take it. Fortunately, you’ll get one of the best hot dogs in the city for your trouble. (map) (link)
  • If you insist on doing things the old-fashioned way and want a morning-after greasy meal, then you might as well get the most for your money. La Bamba claims it has “burritos the size of your head,” and trust me, it’s pretty darn close. If you spent most of your money at the bar, you’ll be grateful for the ridiculously low prices on their menu. (map) (link)

honeyEating fruit or foods high in sugar will help hangovers. Snacking on sweet foods or juices is a good idea because you’ll want to replace the sugars you lost last night. Excess drinking often causes low blood sugar. So you’ll want to get your hands on some orange or tomato juice, or best of all, a couple teaspoons of honey to go with those crackers I mentioned earlier.

  • Normally, I don’t like to advertise chain businesses because they do well enough advertising themselves. But I’m absolutely addicted to Jamba Juice. I can’t resist the sweet, fruity smoothies. They may not be as healthy as you would assume them to be, but they may just hit the spot for “the morning after.” There are several locations throughout the city, so there’s bound to be one near you. (link)

Drinking Gatorade will ease hangover symptoms. It doesn’t even have to be Gatorade. Sports drinks, juices, teas, water… just about anything you can find that will help rehydrate you. That aching pain in your head is most likely due to dehydration. Soups made from broth or bouillon are definitely a good idea, too.

However you decide to take care of yourself, I hope you find good health today and for the rest of the New Year.

Photo credit: Mike Johnson, Mateusz Atroszko

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POSTED IN: Restaurants

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