Five post-hangover foods under $5 dollars

Well, I’m not sure that prior to kick-off yesterday, any of us would have been barracking for a team from Melbourne, but I’m certain we all celebrated their win well in to the early hours of this morning.

And as we come down from the Storm’s jubilation (or the Doggies disappointment, if you’re so inclined) we slowly realise that we do, indeed, have a little thing called uni tomorrow. And if you’re anything like me, the next three weeks are pretty assessment heavy. SO, in order to get your brain cells buzzing and your essays written, here are five top hang-over killers, on a uni student’s budget.

1. Bananas – $3.68 per kilo at Woolies *

Other than being particularly easy to grab on the run, these babies are packed with Potassium, which is one nutrient that’s particularly in need of replenishing after a big one. True story: after finding this out, I was feeling exceptionally drunk at one of my favourite nightspots and spotted a banana in the cocktail fridge behind the bar. I asked the girl behind the bar if I could purchase it (at least I think I did, it might not have come out properly) to which she replied, “Ummm, you can just have it.” What a nice lady!

2. Eggs – $4.49 free range carton at Woolies *

This is a new one for me but apparently eggs have a magical ingredient called Cysteine in them, which is a substance that “breaks down the hangover-causing toxin acetaldehyde in the liver’s easily depleted glutathione”, according to How.Stuff.Works.com. If the thought of the greasy fried or buttery scrambled type makes you feel even worse, try poaching them on dry toast. The carbs in the toast will also help boost your energy.

3. Gatorade – $2 at Woolies *

This may be the oldest trick in the book, but I just wanted to make sure everyone knew about it. Gatorade is full of these things called Electrolytes (a term everyone tosses around but know one knows what it is). Basically the Electrolytes are the salt in your body, which are depleted when your body becomes too hydrated from alcohol. Although there has been research into the full effectiveness of sports drinks against fighting hangovers, I always feel that the high sugar and salt content gives me a boost after a big night. However, just be careful to check the caffeine content in your drink of choice, as this has the potential to further dehydrate you.

4. Ginger – in a juice, potentially a little over $5 but we’ll accept it

Kristin Kirkpatrick writes in the HuffPost about the soothing effect of Ginger to an upset tummy. Although I’m not suggesting that the thought of munching on this root is going to be soothing to anyone, if you can pop down to a juice bar and slip this magic ingredient into your blend, you may find your urge to run to the nearest loo subside.

5. BlueBerries – $4.20 a punnet at Woolies *

I may be a little biased here but I think berries are just a fab way to tackle the morning-after blues. Although, I admit, they’re not cheap (see above), berries contain the sugar found in all fruits, Fructose. Although, as Kristin Kirkpatrick says here, there’s no hard evidence that Fructose helps clear the toxins from your body, it does deliver that kick of energy which is so desparately needed to get yourself out of bed and skipping to uni/work/whatever life may hold for you. They’re also classified as a Superfood so we’re being extra healthy and amazing for ourselves here.

In my old age (I turn 21 in November arghhh!) I’ve been experiencing this type of hangover less and less. So I throw it to you, Spring Chickens, what are the best hangover cures on a budget?

*I don’t endorse or shop at Woolies. I only use their pricing as a guide here.

NB: Please don’t take any of the above as medical advise, it is not intended as so. All information is sourced from external resources and I have no medical or nutritional training.