How to avoid a Spring Racing Carnival hangover
I love the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne! It’s such a fun event and it’s a great excuse to get dressed up and wear a hat and some heels. Usually i’m carrying my heels by the end of the day and regretting that i wore heels but i never really get to wear heels so one day of pain a year seems fair!
I’m not much of a drinker but a glass of french champagne every now and then i quite enjoy! I thought i’d share my tips on how i protect my liver and detox from alcohol. This was my get-up for Melbourne Cup Day, loved my Green flower (and the handsome man next to me of course!)
Liver Tonic Herbs
These are great to have on hand in your medicine cabinet. You can have one before and after you drink to protect your liver from the effects of alcohol and help the detoxification. St Mary’s Thistle is the best for liver protection and detoxification, another herb that is beneficial for the liver is dandelion root, I like the Fusion brand. You can also drink lots of dandelion root tea! (be sure to check with your doctor before taking any herbal medication)
COCONUT WATER:
Nature’s gatorade, this will look after any dehydration you might have going on, of course alcohol dehydrates you and that’s where most of the headache comes from the next day! Coconut water is a super beverage! it has a good balance of electrolytes, particularly potassium and it’s naturally low in sugar, unlike common sports drink. Some coconut waters have added sugar and flavours, so be sure to buy one with no added sugar. Try Jax Coco, i love this bottle!
KOMBUCHA:
My favourite! Get some low sugar kombucha into you to help cleanse the liver, give you an uplifting feeling and keep the good bacteria in your gut flourishing for a strong, healthy immune system! It’s sure to make you feel better fast! It’s packed with B-vitamins, Vitamins C, and healthy acids such as acetic acid, butyric acid, B-vitamins, glucuronic acid (which binds to toxins and helps to flush them out), lactic acid, malice acid (helps detox the liver), and oxalic acid. It’s not secret that I heart Remedy Kombucha! only 1 % sugar and tastes amazing! Plus the people that own this family-run company are swell!
B-VITAMINS:
Look for a good quality B vitamin complex like tresos B. Alcohol can deplete your B vitamin stores so keep them topped up before and after you drink.
SPIRULINA:
Full of B vitamins, chlorophyll, omega-3’s and detoxifying properties. Try my Hangover Cure it’s a mimosa (sans alcohol) you can have with breakfast! recipe here
GOOD Fats and Protein:
Be sure to eat good fats and protein before drinking to slow the absorption of alcohol. The morning after a big night you might also crave fatty foods which can be because you are dehydrated and your body is wanting salty foods (which usually comes hand in hand with fatty foods), i could also be because alcohol consumption releases a chemical called galanin which stimulates your appetite for fats. So when you that craving for a greasy, fatty breaky overcomes you remember this and try to go for the good fats, cook your free-range bacon in coconut oil or even better bake it in the oven until it’s crispy! So good! Eggs will also help to break down alcohol, so nitrate free bacon and free-range pasture eggs are your go-to!
Coconut oil:
A tsp before bed will help to stabilise your blood sugar and in the morning you can also do oil pulling to help detoxify! Put a tsp of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around for 10-20 mins, spit out and then scrape your tongue to ensure you don’t swallow any toxins.
Water and Mineral water:
Alcohol makes you pee, so keeping hydrated is super important for avoiding a hangover. Choose filtered water or mineral water while you are drinking. One alcoholic drink, to 2 glasses of water or mineral water. Easy!
Hope this helps!
xx
