Drinking on an empty stomach is a bad idea and that is not a secret. Alcohol defuses through the walls of the stomach very quickly. The less is in there, the faster it will enter your blood stream. So what to consume before, while and after you party?
BEFORE PARTY
The best choice of food before a night out is something that has a natural fat content, which helps slow down the rate at which food leaves the stomach. The longer food stays in your stomach, the slower the alcohol gets absorbed into your bloodstream. And no, not burgers and pizza
Milk
Put on a bathrobe and pour a glass of milk, but leave the coffee liqueur and vodka in the wet bar, because the cow’s gift to humanity is actually good for you to pregame with on its own. That’s because milk is high in potassium. It’s also made of 90% water, so it’ll keep you plenty hydrated.
Low-fat yogurt
Yogurt is a great snack option before you go out. Top the creamy stuff with a sprinkle of granola, and you’ll get all the important macronutrients in one dish: carbs, protein, and fat. It’ll literally stick to your gut, as the food will digest slowly over four to six hours.
Hummus
Eat it with a bunch of raw veggies and you’ll get all three macronutrients in one simple shot.
Salmon
Alcohol depletes your body’s vitamin B-12 levels, but salmon has super-high levels of vitamin and omega 3’s.
Chicken
Protein-rich foods take longer to digest, which slows how fast your blood alcohol level goes up. A chicken sandwich is the premier mix of protein and carbs. Only a small serving is necessary ; )
DURING THE PARTY
A little snack while you are out can do you a world of favours. Sadly, pubs don’t always offer the widest variety of options. Always go for the nuts. They deliver a selection of B vitamins, which get rapidly depleted when you drink. Olives, if available, are also an excellent healthy option.
AFTER THE PARTY
The best is to forget the greasy after party food like chips and chicken wings. They will only weigh you down the next morning and serve to expand your waistline in the long run.
The good news is that there are some good fast-food options available. Believe it or not, one of the very best comes from the kebab shop. But know, the meat is processed and has a horrific salt content. However, the humble chicken kebab can be heaven sent. Throw away the refined white pitta bread and you’ve basically got grilled chicken salad. The chicken will give your liver a good supply of amino acids that are used to metabolise and remove alcohol, while the salad will supply a timely vitamin boost.
BEFORE BED
It’s tempting to hit the hay as soon as you get through the front door, but two quick things can really help make the difference the next morning.
Firstly, a multivitamin will help your body recover from the effects of the alcohol. Secondly, try to drink a pint of water with a pinch of salt. Alcohol switches off an antidiuretic hormone, which is why you find you start peeing a lot during a night out. The constant trips to the bathroom deplete your body’s level of salt, so that glass of slightly salted water will start to put things straight.
