November 15, 2017 2:47 pm
Published by Breanne Lovatt
When you wake up dehydrated with a sore head and dry mouth, you instantly crave for familiar, comfortable foods that promise to relinquish all your hangover symptoms, and make you feel alive again. And to satiate this very craving without derailing your clean-eating goals, we present this list of 50 hangover favourites with a twist.
With fried chicken to BLTs, and high-protein pancakes to crunchy tacos, revisit these cult hangover favourites from across the world, and give them a powerhouse makeover.
The Holy Trinity of Hangovers
Consuming enough protein during your first post-drinking meal will help your system recover and replenish. At the same time, amidst old wives’ tales and modern blogger takes, three nutrients remain key to battling all those nasty conditions: Potassium, cysteine, and sodium. Scientifically backed to alleviate symptoms instantaneously, you want to make sure that your meal includes enough of these three nutrients to help you get back on track.
Sweet, salty, and a tad bit greasy, this taco is full of ingredients that help break down toxins from alcohol, boosting liver function and helping you deal with symptoms rather deliciously. Beans, avocados, cilantro, and tomatoes get to work straight away.
Quick to make, and loaded with the goodness of avocados, coconut oil, and eggs, this toast variation on a hangover morning would make you forget your full English. That cottony dry mouth feeling that we all hate? This one’s packed with enough flavour to let your feel human again.
Comfort food gets a new makeover with this oven-cooked fried chicken variation. Sesame and olive oil provide ample fuel, while only 7 grams of fat per serving make sure that you remain absolutely on goal. Junk-food cravings on the day after drinking? Check.
A popular Midwestern-American diner hangover spread, the slinger gets healthier with this recipe that uses turkey and russet potatoes. High in protein alongside vitamin A, C, and iron, this filling dish is bound to breathe some life back into you.
Bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes, alongside avocado as a replacement for mayonnaise makes this recipe tasty and familiar at the same time. Served on a bed of romaine lettuce instead of bread, it fits every nutrient bill to boot.
As delicious as the combo of spinach and eggs remain, the Italian flavours of this recipe pack in a health punch alongside substantial satisfaction. With potassium and cysteine, two known nutrients to fight the hangover woozies, you are in for treat at the same time.
With oats, anti-oxidant laden berries, eggs, and maple syrup, this healthy variation of a soufflé is filling, and provides enough macros for your body to begin recovering again. A great fuss-free recipe for weekend after-party cooking.
With just 15 minutes of cook time, this healthy, light, and protein-packed southern favourite brings together cheese and herbs for an appealing take. Packed full of classic rehydrating ingredients, this one keeps you on track even when truly indulging.
Whether the controversial eggs benedict was invented by a pope, traitor, or hungover Wall Street dude, it, till date remains a go-to recipe for blitzing back some coherence to your brain. This version uses whole-wheat English muffins alongside a healthy hollandaise replacement.
Packed with fibre, vitamins, and protein, with a rich soothing broth that would work on rehydrating your body, a pho is a great way to eat all your favourite hangover foods minus the grease and gunk. Add a poached egg on top for an extra dose of goodness. In fact, a pho is out there as the top hangover cure.
This British, and world favourite usually comes with an added load of 1,600 calories. How about a recipe that packs the same punch minus all the fat? This version elevates the protein of the fish, while helping you zap that nasty hangover with some tasty bites.
Whole30 compliant and made without bread crumbs, this version of scotch eggs uses fresh meat instead of the processed variety. Yummy and hangover-pacifying, the protein content of this dish makes it all the more worthwhile.
Protein-rich meatballs made of vegetarian ingredients make the base of this universal favourite. Topped with rich marinara and provolone cheese, these subs are just 147 calories each. And if that’s not enough, these are good to prepare in advance and store.
Instead of the bagel, why not try smoked salmon on a breakfast pizza for the post-party day? Salmon, avocado, arugula, and skinny cream cheese up its protein content, while being hearty enough to turnover those hangover blues at the same time. Toxin-busting nutrients included.
Nothing like a bit of spice to bring you back from the rhetoric dead. This recipe serves protein-heavy chicken shashlik with a tahini sauce made of roasted red peppers. Fresh herbs, and a macro-rich naan base finish it off to get you going.
Unlike the Chipotle version with 850+ calories a portion, this burrito bowl recipe is perfect to fight a hangover with the power of protein. You can add your own meat toppings such as beef and tofu if you fancy, and substitute the rice with a healthier grain.
A sweet and savoury meal helps in the rehydration process, and this recipe has plenty of protein and crunchy bits alongside as well. Cooked in a single skillet, this vibrant breakfast includes a generous serving of fibre.
Chickpea flour is naturally high in protein, and it’s an easy ingredient to create gluten-free, healthy pancakes. With a stuffing of chestnut mushrooms and spinach, this comforting dish can alleviate symptoms of an upset tummy post drinking.
If you would rather go for something light and fluffy, this summer squash salad is zingy, packed full of flavour, high in protein, and refreshing. With dietary fibre and natural sugars, this is a failsafe recipe for hangovers of the worst kind.
Instead of reaching out for a pack of instant noodles, give your ramen a proper health twist with this roasted chicken version. With corn, miso, seaweed, and sesame oil, you pack in a nutritional power dose alongside plenty of textures and tastes.
Waffles with a drizzle of your favourite syrup will always be a hangover meal of choice. Turn it into a clean-eating version with this recipe that uses protein powder and egg whites, and tastes just as good, if not more, compared to the real thing.
This German favourite is presented in a gluten-free avatar. The crumbing is done using paleo breadcrumbs, and you can use either chicken breasts or tenderloins. A creamy mushroom sauce completes the dish.
Amp up your traditional bangers and mash with this Australian version that uses sweet potatoes for the mash. With fresh greens and herbs, this indulgent meal brings in all nutritional angles alongside lots of protein. For added taste, smoke and grill your sweet potatoes before mashing.
Chock full of nourishing ingredients, and quick and easy to make, this recipe is perfect for the lazy cook who wants to get the maximum out of a bowl. This is also a great and healthy way to use leftover meat from roasts, and leftover rice.
Skewered meat is always tasty, and this recipe uses apples and dates to give it a modern twist. Lamb, fruit, and veggies inclusive, this easy kebab dish liberally coated with herbs and salt is a great lunch option for your post-drinking day.
This North African dish is often consumed by party goers as a delicious and quick remedy for hangovers; make your own using this recipe that includes onions, chickpeas, tomatoes, and a liberal number of eggs. You can add meat shavings too, to make it more filling.
With only 50 calories a pop, these veggie-loaded egg cups are baked, and can be made in advance. For an added protein and taste edge, put in some low-fat ham, beef, or shredded chicken to the vegetable mix while cooking.
This protein-heavy version of the Swedish favourite has hints of allspice, and a thick creamy beef gravy. Better than the IKEA ones, they are a part of the Weight Watcher’s diet, and include a good amount of herbs for an added punch.
With a few scoops of protein powder, and some added flax meal, you can turn your go-to pancake mix into a healthier version full of muscle-enhancing ingredients. It also includes bananas that always seem to help with hangovers.
When even a takeaway seems like too much effort, this quick and easy stir fry made from back-of-the-fridge ingredients makes a one-pan, quick, and high-protein meal. Soba noodles are made of buckwheat; so it’s all good stuff, all the way through.
With chicken thighs and plenty of vegetables including carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and cabbage, this filling and easy one-pot recipe will get you back on your feet in no time. A bowl of this, with warm crusty bread and butter is failsafe way to get back on your feet.
A time-tested solution for hangovers, tortilla chips in salsa gets a healthy twist with plenty of avocados, eggs, and summer squash. Want to take it a notch up? Used baked chips instead of fries made with native grains.
What do Mardi Gras attenders do after a hard night of drinking? Head straight to the nearby quarter for a full-sized hearty po’ boy sandwich. The New Orleans classic is deliciously deconstructed here, with plenty of protein-heavy ingredients included.
With an inspired replacement for the burger bun, this vegan and gluten free variation comes with loads of protein and amazing taste. Chickpea flour, coconut oil, micro greens, and spices, all add to its nutritional value.
Fries for a hangover? Totally possible with this spray and bake sweet potato version. Topped with tangy extras that include ranch-style flavours, avocados, and apples, this heavy-duty platter will bring you right back in the game.
This chicken parm is just as creamy, saucy and tasty as its authentic counterpart, and sits on a bed of healthy zucchini noodles to boot. With a protein content of above 37 grams, hangover rescuing is just about right with this recipe.
We do love our slow cooker recipes, and they are great for when you don’t want to hang around in the kitchen while nursing an aspirin. With just three ingredients, you don’t have to spend a lot of time prepping about either.
Besides the very obvious amount of protein, this recipe is full of the hangover holy trinity. Ideal to eat straight from the fridge, it has crunchy nuts, grapes, salad ingredients, and plenty of kick for cottony mouths. Minus all the refined carbs too, with its wrap replacement.
Cauliflower is the new hot ingredient to replace everything from pizzas to calzones, and this healthy version of a grilled cheese sandwich combines it with quality cheddar. The result, an indulgent yet nutrient-dense breakfast option.
Hangover dessert doesn’t get better than this quick and easy recipe that you can whip up in your microwave. With peanut butter, anti-oxidant rich cocoa, and creamy bananas, this mug cake recipe will indeed become your staple.
Well-seasoned and light, this pasta salad with chorizo brings in a new depth of flavour with roasted veggies. Use what you have in the fridge, and garnish with plenty of herbs for a full-scale hangover busting treat.
This one’s great for your liver, and packs in enough protein with kale and chickpeas. Make it either with chicken or veggie stock, and once you get the minestrone-like base done, throw in everything that you fancy in your cupboard.
Cooking a risotto can be a tedious job, but this recipe brings all the taste minus the elbow grease. Packed with healthy ingredients, and bacon for some extra deliciousness, its creamy consistency and short prep time makes this cook a charm.
Made with chickpeas, garlic, and parsley, this falafel version packs in lesser calories with lots of protein. Scoop this Middle-Eastern recipe up in whole-grain pita, along with salad and a dip for a fabulous hangover antidote.
This chili recipe uses lean turkey or chicken, and has a protein content of more than 31 grams per serving. Quick and easy to make, you can stick these ingredients in a slow-cooker as well for convenience. Beans, veggies, and meat. What’s not to like!
You don’t have to be a rolling master to make these easy sushi stacks. You can make it using tuna out of a can, and combine other fresh seasonal veggies you may fancy. No cooking required either, for this delicious Sunday-brunch style recipe.
This 20-minute classic recipe is fast, has both protein and veggies, and plenty of buttery garlic flavours. Highlighting simple ingredients to create a full flavour bomb, easy prep and easy clean-up makes it even more ideal for hangovers.
There’s something refreshing and therapeutic about a good Thai salad, and this one is no different. The author is known for her 30-minute or under recipes that can be made in a single bowl; cue, this protein-packed crunchy delight with loads of fresh ingredients and tempeh.
This is another quick skewer recipe (30 minutes, start to finish) with lamb, onion, garlic, and spices, that turns out well whether you use the barbecue or stove. Full of protein, this is a great way for the calorie conscious eater to enjoy a red meat.
Hungover adults and picky kids alike would enjoy these 5-ingredient baked poppers. Coated with quinoa instead of breadcrumbs, these nuggets are crunchy and light, best enjoyed hot with a thick and rich tomato sauce.
For some protein-heavy indulgence, here’s a quick dish that’s made out of a salad dressing! Juicy chops, crunchy and sweet veggies, and 40 grams of protein makes this recipe well worth the calories. A surefire way to fire away hangovers.
And last but not the least, make these hydrating and balancing ice pops made of coconut water, sugar, ginger, lime, and mint. Tried and tested for foul-mouth syndrome!
Categorised in: Protein Recipes
This post was written by Breanne Lovatt
