After an extra long weekend of festivities, Easter Monday is really the dreary last innings of freedom and, chances are, that a lot of us will be sporting a pretty nasty hangover to top it off.
Thankfully, The Independent spoke to three top chefs who’ve extended us an olive branch by sharing what their fave feeds are to help to feel better after a raucous night out on the tiles. And, they may not be what you expect.
Green Smoothie – Adam Simmonds, Michelin-star chef and executive chef of Pavillion, London
Sure, the thought of downing a thick green smoothie packed full of veggies while hungover may have you running to chunder faster than you can say the word “yuck”, please hear us out. While the idea may sound gross, a green juice will help you replenish vitamins and minerals that your body lost while partying, and you’ll also get the added benefit of hydration.
“I would say a green smoothie is always a winner. Or, if something more substantial is needed, poached eggs on toast with crushed avocado with seeds such as flax, sunflower or chia. Both help reintroduce some much-needed vitamins and nutrients back in your body and the smoothie is really hydrating too. My green smoothies usually consist of coconut water, spinach, grapes, cucumber, a granny smith apple and kiwi,” says Adam Simmonds.
When you think of hangover food, greasy grub normally pops to mind. However, sushi can be a delicious and healthier substitute. The rice in the Japanese cuisine will help soak up some of the toxins still in your body and just a little bit of wasabi can help stimulate your blood circulation, which will rid your body of toxins faster.
“My hangover go to is Sushi. I know that sounds strange for a breakfast dish but most of the time if I have been drinking, I’m not up early. The simple umami flavours and the sweetness of the rice really help clean out the toxins left in my body. If it’s really bad you can always go for something with a bit more of a kick like fire cracker rice or spicy karaage chicken to cure those hangover blues,” says Tom Cenci.
A classic big breakie – Ben Ebbrell, chef, SORTEDfood YouTube channel
Scrambled eggs, rashers of bacon, sausages galore and some good ol’ baked beans is probably something that’ll have your hungover salivary glands drooling in pleasure. Good news, a study has actually shown that the proteins in bacon can help neurotransmitters in the brain start functioning properly again and eggs contain an amino acid that helps break down the enzymes in alcohol.
“You’ve really got two options when it comes to hangover breakfast food – you’re either in a mood where you just want to eat EVERYTHING, or, you go down the I’m-going-to-counter-this-by-being-really-healthy route. If it’s the first, well, nothing beats a full English fry up – beans, toast, sausages, egg, beans, the lot,” says Ben Ebbrell.
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