Been there, done that – We’ve seen epic nights, with drinks flowing, dance floor getting dangerous, turn into a morning of horrors & blurry flashbacks. The pounding headache you wake up with leaves you devoid of motivation, keeps you wondering and questioning everything you did last night. Welcome to an episode of the good old hangovers, but instead of sulking and struggling to eat your breakfast, try some of our delicious and healthier alternatives.
That’s what we call – the hangover smoothie. It’s not just a hangover drink, it’s a revival plan. A complete package full of hydration, vitamins, antioxidants and yumminess. These smoothie recipes are the quickest way out of an episode of the popular zombie apocalypse to feeling like a human again.
Why choose healthy smoothie recipes for hangover recovery?
There is more to smoothie drinks than just Instagram trends. A well thought of hangover drink can be a great recovery hack when its packed and paired with the right ingredients. Unlike a heavy meal or energy drinks that are loaded with sugar and caffeine, smoothie drinks can replenish electrolytes, hydrate your cells, soothe digestive system, provide essential vitamins and antioxidants and stabilise your blood sugar levels.
Now before you turn to milkshakes thinking they would make it better, let us tell you that there is a big difference between smoothies and milkshakes, starting with how easy and gently smoothies are with your system, from the 1st sip, to the last and beyond. Besides, milkshakes can worsen the nausea and make you feel bloated and uncomfortable.
What a Hangover Smoothie Can Actually Do.
Think of hangover drinks as a recover cheat code. It rehydrates, balances blood sugar levels, soothes your digestive system and delivers nutrients that detoxes your liver. These drinks are extremely gentle on your stomach and its super easy to make.
Top 5 hangover healthy smoothie recipes
Time for the main event. Let’s dive in, into some delicious, functional and easy to make smoothie recipes that are knights in shining armours in disguise. Each smoothie recipe is packed with nutrients that helps restore balance in your body.
1. Mango miracle shake
Recipe #1:
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen mango
½ banana
½ cup coconut water
1 tablespoon honey
Juice from half a lime
A pinch of sea salt
Why it works:
Mango is a rich source of antioxidants and natural sugars, bananas have a good amount of potassium, coconut water is full of electrolytes and lime adds in a kick of vitamin C and sea salt helps your body retail hydration for longer.
2. Strawberry shake
Ingredients:
1 cup strawberries
½ cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chia seeds
½ cup orange juice
½ cup cold water
Why it works:
Strawberries & orange juice are rich in vitamin C, which helps detox your liver. Greek yogurt has a good number of protein & probiotics in it which is great for your gut. Chia seeds contain omega 3s and hydration supporting fibres.
3. Cucumber Mint cooler
Ingredients:
1 peeled cucumber
A handful of fresh mint leaves
1 green apple
Juice of half a lemon
1 cup water or coconut water
Pinch of fresh ginger
Why it works:
Cucumber hydrates and cools the body. Mint soothes nausea. Apple adds natural sugar and fiber. Lemon supports liver detox, and ginger reduces inflammation and eases digestion.
4. Chocolate Banana smoothie
Ingredients:
1 frozen banana
1 tablespoon cacao powder
1 cup oat milk
1 tablespoon peanut butter
A dash of cinnamon
Why it works:
We took a page out of the classics and made it into something revolutionary. Bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium which helps your muscle recover faster. Cacao has natural compounds which lifts your mood. Peanut butter has protein and healthy fats that helps stabilise blood sugar levels and cinnamon helps with digestion & inflammation.
5. Pineapple Ginger Flush
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen pineapple
½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 cup coconut water
½ banana
Juice of half a lemon
Why it works:
Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps reduce inflammation. Ginger is a natural anti-nausea remedy. Coconut water restores electrolytes, and banana helps replenish lost nutrients.
Pineapple contains bromelain – a group of enzymes that breaks down protein, which helps reduce inflammation. Ginger naturally reduces nausea & coconut water replenishes electrolytes.
Tips to make the perfect hangover drink
Before you get tantalized by just the thought of an espresso, hold on. Caffeine does improve alertness temporarily, but it just dehydrates you, and that’s exactly what you don’t want when your head is throbbing already. You need to focus on nourishing ingredients that helps you recovery without putting your system into shock. But avoid overly fibrous or harsh raw greens on an empty and already sensitive stomach. Best to stick to soothing ingredients like fruits, water and easy to digest proteins.
Are these healthy smoothie recipes suitable outside hangover days?
Abso – fudging – lutely! While these recipes are great for recovery, they are great breakfast smoothie recipes too because they’re so easy to make and how fast and easy to digest they are. They also help you boost your metabolism, making it a great breakfast smoothie for weight loss. Add or subtract a few ingredients based on what you’re in the mood for or your health goals.
The last sip:
Next time you plan on getting zonked or went with the vibe and overdid your cocktails, don’t go grab some kind of fast food or rely on coffee to function through the day, consider your bender as your bestie to make yourself some smoothie drinks to help you snap out of it. These smoothies hydrate, nourish and digest easily. That’s what your body craves for the morning after a raging night.
FAQ’s
Q1. Do hangover smoothies really help?
Yes, they do. Hangover smoothies are loaded with electrolytes, natural sugars, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients that helps you body rehydrate, detox and recover faster. They’re also gentle on the stomach compared to oily foods and they help stabilise blood sugar levels after a party
Q2. Are there any ingredients that I should avoid if my stomach is sensitive?
While some of these fruits are important and are also the highlight of the smoothie, high acid fruits like oranges or pineapples in larger quantities can irritate your stomach further.
Q3. Can hangover smoothies replace a full meal?
Yes. But the answer largely depends on the ingredients. Foods like oats, protein, healthy fats and fibre makes it more satiating. But for sustained and all day energy, it will always be a great idea to follow up with a balanced meal in a few hours.
Q4. Can I add adaptogens or supplements to my hangover smoothie?
Ingredients like ashwagandha, spirulina or milk thistle supports liver health and also reduce your stress. It would be wise to be sure before combining too many active supplements all at once. You can always check with a nutritionist.