Can you prevent a hangover by eating a large meal?

When looking for advice on how to cure a hangover, it often comes down to how to avoid it in the first place (hey, thanks!) and often includes the phrases “suck up” and “greasy food.” And that can easily lead to a junk food binge of pizza, omelettes, hamburgers and anything you can get on a thoroughfare. But can you prevent a hangover by eating a big meal?

There’s a lot behind this theory, according to an emergency doctor in New York.

Alexis Halpern, MD, says that by eating a large meal, you’re essentially creating a buffer between your stomach and the alcohol. It may not completely prevent a hangover, but chances are it will make you feel a lot better.

Well what should I eat? According to Halpern, a good rule of thumb is to stick to heavier foods that take longer to break down in the body. Especially those that are rich in nutrients. So try eating a burrito bowl instead of that slice of pepperoni pizza. Water-rich foods like cantaloupe, watermelon, and other juicy fruits are also a good idea to help keep you hydrated. Avocados and bananas are also good choices as they contain important electrolytes. “If you give your body back the things it needs and the things it loses through drinking, you’ll definitely feel better,” she says.

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Of course, not everyone plans to get drunk. So if you find yourself getting tipsy (or maybe already a little jaded) and pizza is the only thing, by all means dive in. Eating while you’re drinking/drunk is better than nothing (but no promises you won’t see that pizza again until the end of the night).

And finally water. It is important when you consume alcohol. Halpern says it’s important — and we’ve all heard it before — to drink more water than alcohol to prevent a hangover. Halpern says: “Try to have a drink and then a glass of water if that’s what you think of it. Just make sure you are aware and keep up with yourself.”

Now you know how to prevent a hangover by eating a large meal. Have fun going out!