Snacking Instead Of Popping Pills: Food Cures

Upon hearing the news that a bacon sandwich can cure a hangover, many of you will probably say: No shit.

According to the Telegraph, Elin Roberts, of Newcastle University’s Centre for Life says that if you have been boozing: “Bread is high in carbohydrates and bacon is full of protein, which breaks down into amino acids. Your body needs these amino acids, so eating them will make you feel good.” Plus, there is a “complex chemical interaction” when cooking bacon — something to do with fat, protein and water — that makes bacon smell delicious, so that you want to eat it.

But if you’re like me, none of this is surprising, since I am one of those people who believes that your body tells you what it needs. I long for fruit in the winter, possibly because bright red berries and sweet clementines are bright spots of color in a gray world, but also maybe because that’s when I need antioxidants and vitamin C the most? I tend to crave burgers before my period, which makes sense when you think about the iron lost. And when I want chocolate, it’s clearly because of the flavonoids that reduce risk of stroke, right? Okay, maybe not, but they do say that chicken soup is good for colds. Do you think your appetite sends you messages, or am I alone here? And do you have any food cures of your own?