Avoid the Post-Rave Blues With These Superfoods
When Monday comes around after a rave, we all know what that means: a case of the dreaded post-rave blues. While some of that depression is due to the realization that instead of waking up in the middle of an enchanted forest, you’ll be waking up to the gentle hum of the office fax machine, part of that post-rave funk is due to your body’s complete and total exhaustion. If all you’ve been doing is giving it a hard time (Cheeseburgers! 12 hours of dancing! More coffee!!!), your body will eventually become depleted of all its natural goodness—which means spending the next few days curled up into a ball at the foot of your bed.
Heed our warning, friends: While you may be tempted to take the lazy way out with a few days of takeaway pizza + Netflix and chill, it won’t do your body any favors—and certainly won’t help put you on the road to recovery.
To help the healing process go by a little faster, here’s a quick guide to some foods that’ll help get your body back to its former glory.
Dark, Leafy Green Veggies
Popeye was right to love spinach; after all, this seemingly innocent little veggie is packed with a symphony of nutrients and antioxidants. Dark green, leafy veggies in this family include your favorite superfood, kale, as well as broccoli, spinach, collard greens, leeks and lettuce. These types of vegetables are high in magnesium, an essential nutrient necessary for a variety of metabolic processes, including energy production, as well as vitamins A, B, C, E and—well, you get the idea. Most of these vitamins act as antioxidants, preventing damage at a cellular level and helping to get your body’s immune system back on track. Certain antioxidants, like kaempferol, may also have cancer-fighting properties, which might make you reconsider your stance on brussels sprouts entirely.
How to make it extra tasty: Pair leafy green veggies with tangy, Asian-infused dressings with lots of ginger and acid. Add some toasted almonds for an extra kick, or just bake them in the oven with lots of love and good butter.
Nuts
Not just an expensive, delicious snack meant for trail mix. Nuts are another great superfood you should use during this time, as they contain hefty doses of magnesium, fiber, vitamins, antioxidants and good-for-you fats. The good fat and fiber found in nuts help to lower your LDL cholesterol levels (the “bad” kind of cholesterol you pick up from eating too much fast food), improving the health of your heart overall. Bonus: They also contain extra rich omega-3 fatty acids, which provide a wide range of health benefits while potentially helping to lower levels of depression. Walnuts are highest in omega-3s, in case you’re wondering.
How to make it extra tasty: Puree your favorite nut with those dark, leafy greens for a delicious and healthy pesto you can smear on anything from pasta to grilled veggies. Top with extra Parmesan for maximum flavor.
Fish
Your skin is probably not looking its best after spending a few days out in the sun. Luckily, you can perk it up by adding a few choice foods into your post-rave diet like fish (not fried!). Fish naturally contains B complex vitamins, which are good for your skin and energy levels and are chock-full of those good fats and omega-3s we mentioned earlier—which may reduce the level of tissue inflammation in your body. Eco-friendly fish that are high in omega-3s include salmon, trout and tuna, all of which are delicious when cooked with generous amounts of lemon and herbs.
How to make it extra tasty: You can be super lazy with this one and throw a fish, lemon, herbs, and maybe some wine onto some parchment paper. Fold it up, put it in the oven to steam, and bask in the joy that is no cleanup.
Tryptophan-Rich Foods
Tryptophan is an amino acid precursor used in the production of serotonin—aka the “feel-good” hormone—which means that eating foods rich in tryptophan helps give your body a one-up when it comes to boosting your mood. In addition to being good for mood regulation, tryptophan is also beneficial when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. Foods high in tryptophan include eggs, turkey, salmon, nuts, tofu and cheese. You can also nibble on some oats if you’re feeling extra wired and having trouble sleeping, since they contain tryptophan and melatonin, a hormone responsible for sleep regulation in the body.
How to make it extra tasty: Whip up your favorite egg dish, throw in a few veggies, and top it with cheese. Your body will thank you. Weirdly enough, Marmite is also high in tryptophan, so if you’re into the stuff, load it up on a nice sandwich.
Probiotics
My stomach hurts for days and days after a rave. Chances are, this is due to all the processed junk food—the more processed carbs and sugar you eat, the more your body craves, creating a cycle that culminates in bad bacteria accumulating in your gut. Fight an iffy tummy with probiotic-rich foods that will help promote the growth of good bacteria in your gut—like miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and Greek yogurt (also rich in vitamins B and D). You can also look out for other high-fiber, high-water foods like avocados, pears and berries, which will help get your gut back to working condition.
How to make it extra tasty: Too many options. Try a nice miso rub on some fish with a side of refreshing avocado salad, or tuck into a bowl of berries and yogurt for a dessert you won’t feel guilty about.
Foods High in Vitamins C & A
Give your poor liver a break with a nice dose of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps your body ward off colds while helping absorb iron—meaning less fatigue or low energy levels. You can find ample doses of the stuff in grapefruit, which contains high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants that can help increase the natural cleansing processes of your liver. Grapefruit also contains pectin, a soluble fiber that can help lower bad cholesterol levels. Other vitamin C-rich foods include bell peppers, kale, cauliflower, kiwi, chilies, brussels sprouts, and pineapple. Meanwhile, foods high in Vitamin A are also essential to a healthy immune system, so don’t forget to load up on some carrots while you’re at it.
How to make it extra tasty: Try a stir-fry with kale, bell peppers and chilies for bright flavors that your immune system will love.
