Tips to help you avoid a hangover (or cure a hangover if it's too late)
By Carla Snuggs

This winter there so many exciting festivities taking place: the Super Bowl, Oscars parties, St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras and more. On these occasions you may find yourself out cocktailing more than you normal would, which may lead to a nasty hangover. Stacey Sude, Herbalist and Plant-Based Nutrition Specialist on the board of advisors from ALOHA has just the tips for getting back on track after a great night out and ways to avoid a hangover so you are feeling your best.

The night before – if we caught you in time:

Hydrate! Drink 1 glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you drink. Hydration is critical for preventing hangovers. We all know this, but somehow we forget. For added nutrients, you can always try ALOHA’s Daily Good Greens* Whole Food Powder (powdered green juice)

EAT! A robust, healthy meal of whole foods, including fruits/vegetables before/after your drinking escapade. The right fresh foods boost levels of vitamins, minerals, and glutathione, all of which may be depleted via alcohol consumption and contribute to that "day after a night" feeling. Vitamin C and zinc are involved in clearing alcohol from the body, and glutathione assists in detoxification and protects the liver from damage. Good choices for stocking up on these compounds include red peppers (vitamin C), lentils or chickpeas (zinc), and sulfur-containing foods like garlic, kale, and broccoli (glutathione). ALOHA also has a great Foundation pack to get you started back on track

Too late? You're already hungover? Read on for more tips.

The day after a night out, follow these tips to feel better in no time:

SLEEP! Sleeping in, or take a nap if you have the opportunity. Alcohol is known to disturb the sleep cycle, so you probably need a little extra zzzzz. In addition, your body can focus on repairing itself while you rest.

RE-HYDRATE! Okay, this is obvious, but it needs to be said: drink water. Do this first thing in the morning. Try it with the juice of half a lemon, which provides vitamin C and limonene, both of which can improve glutathione levels and aid the detox process.

REPLENISH ELECTROLYTES!

Try coconut water combined with Hawaiian red alaea salt/Himalayan pink salt/sea salt. These salts are great because they provide trace minerals, in addition to sodium.

Feeling fatigued and no time for a nap? Try the adaptogenic herb schisandra berry. This bizarre-tasting herb is said to have 5 flavors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent. For your next taste adventure! Schisandra berry has a reputation for being deeply restorative, providing sustained energy, increasing glutathione levels, and keeping the liver healthy. And it won't take a toll on your body like a shot of caffeine. Brew a tea of 2 tsp of the dried berries in boiling water or take 2 dropperfuls of the tincture.

Try milk thistle seed for detox and liver protection. Make a tea from the crushed seeds or take 2 dropperfuls of the tincture. Many practitioners recommend an extract of milk thistle seed standardized to contain 70–80% silymarin, as this compound has been well researched. Standardized extracts are available in capsule or powder form.

Magnesium may help with relaxing muscles and mood, as well as pain relief. Did you know dark chocolate is a very rich source of magnesium? Chocolate, such as ALOHA’s Superfood Chocolate, is a great option and may offer a little comfort, if nothing else. You can also supplement with magnesium.

*About ALOHA Daily Good Greens

ALOHA Daily Good Greens is Available in Original, Berry, Chocolate Cacao. The Daily Good Greens are a green juice powder developed through a patented process that purees then gently dries the highest-‐quality whole foods. Through this unique technology, 14 hand-‐ selected whole foods maintain their potent nutrients and valuable fiber that are lost with the pulp and skin in most green juices. Great for travel as one pouch: detoxifies and helps balance weight, boosts immune system and keeps energy up, hydrates, improves and firms skin, provides powerful antioxidants and more!

Purchase: ALOHA Daily Good Greens ($19 for a trial pack, $45 for full size, Aloha.com)