Ah, the dreaded hangover—the price we’ve all paid once or ten times for a fun night out. Now that you’re in bed with a headache and the spin cycle running in your stomach, food is probably the last thing on your mind. But like it or not, you need to eat, and there are surefire hangover remedies out there. Here are 10 foods to avoid in your state and 10 that help smooth things along.

1. Greasy Food

This stuff isn’t good for you on a normal day, let alone when you’re out cold with a hangover. Greasy fatty food will only upset your stomach even more, making it harder to recover.

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2. Caffeine

On the surface, it makes sense to try and combat hangovers with coffee. Coffee helps settle you down when you’ve had too much to drink, so surely it can help now, right? Wrong. Caffeine can easily dehydrate you and exacerbate your nausea, so stay away until you’re you again.

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3. Processed Meat

A lot of protein isn’t best for a hangover. You need to balance out your diet with carbs because too much alcohol can leave you with low blood sugar. Throw too much protein into the mix and you have a one-way ticket to Migraine Town.

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4. Dairy

Products like milk or cheese probably won’t do your already upset stomach any good. Dairy can lead to bloating and cramping, two symptoms you don’t want to pile on or worsen when you’re hungover.

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5. Carbonated Beverages

Avoid soda unless you want to chance exacerbated symptoms. Carbonated sodas have a fair amount of caffeine and sugar in them, both of which can make your hangover symptoms worse—and even if you only plan to indulge in sparkling water, the carbonation can bloat you.

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6. Salty Snacks

When you’re hungover, a top priority is staying hydrated. If you indulge in overly salted snacks like potato chips, you’re doing the opposite, which makes symptoms worse. Keep away until you feel better.

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7. Energy Drinks

Coffee isn’t the only thing loaded with caffeine—energy drinks are a major culprit too. It might seem like a good idea to reach for one, but energy drinks often dehydrate you and can lead to anxiety, neither of which you want to deal with.

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8. More Alcohol

Despite the commonality of this old wives’ tale, do not drink more alcohol to cure a hangover. Remember: your body is trying to heal from an overconsumption of alcohol, so introducing more only prolongs the process and makes symptoms worse.

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9. Spicy Foods

Spicy foods can very easily upset your stomach, cause heartburn, and worsen nausea. The last thing you want when your stomach is already in knots is to cause any gastrointestinal distress.

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10. Skipping Breakfast Altogether

While a hangover can turn you off of food, it’s critical to have something in the morning. The proper breakfast brings in the vitamins and nutrients you need for a speedy recovery, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention it.

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Which is the perfect segue into 10 foods that work best for a hangover.

1. Chicken Soup

A classic cure for the common cold, chicken soup also helps alleviate hangover symptoms. It’s hydrating, soothes an upset stomach, and comes loaded with protein and nutrients that support recovery. 

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2. Eggs

Eggs are a terrific source of protein and vitamins, both of which regulate your blood sugar levels and keep you energetic during the day. They’re also chock full of cysteine, an amino acid that helps break down acetaldehyde—which is a gnarly byproduct of alcohol metabolism. 

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3. Water

Staying hydrated in these trying times is mission number one, and water is the easiest way to do it. It also helps flush out any lingering toxins. 

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4. Bananas

Thanks to their high levels of potassium, bananas are a natural way to restore electrolytes. They’re packed with natural sugars that can help regulate your blood sugar levels and give you a little boost throughout the day, too.

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5. Peanut Butter and Crackers

Peanut butter is a good source of protein when you’re hungover. Spread a little on a whole grain cracker and now you have a much-needed carbohydrate, making this combo a go-to remedy.

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6. Ginger

For years now, ginger has worked overtime to settle stomachs round the world. This is why it’s one of the best things to consume when you’re nauseous. Have it in some tea or munch on ginger chews to reap all the benefits.

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7. Coconut Water

Coconut water is a good option that’s loaded with potassium and magnesium. It’s a natural source of electrolytes and is also easily digested, helping you get hydrated faster.

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8. Honey

Honey is a go-to remedy for hangovers because it’s a great source of fructose. Fructose is absorbed immediately, thereby helping your body to break down alcohol. Add a bit of honey on some toast for a simple treatment.

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9. Watermelon

Watermelon is the perfect snack if you can’t really stomach anything else during the recovery process. It’s hydrating, light, and a good source of natural sugars and electrolytes. Watermelon has been credited with helping headaches in particular. 

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10. Whole Grains

You need carbs to recover from a hangover, and whole grains are the way to go. Try whole wheat toast, whole wheat crackers, granola, or oats for a great source of fiber and vitamins.

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