The foods you need to shun before drinking alcohol - including popular snacks
If you're planning on having a few drinks with friends, it's a good idea to avoid certain foods - but there are also plenty of things you can eat to minimise the effects of a hangover
Hitting the town is all fun and games until the dreaded hangover strikes the morning after - throbbing headaches and rolling nausea can be enough to swear you off alcohol for good.
However, there is hope on the horizon as some nifty tips from experts suggest you can avoid this state of misery with a few pre-party precautions.
Experts have revealed a list of culinary no-gos that could save your post-party self from despair.
According to these experts, what you eat before you hit the bars could be crucial in averting the hangover horror.
Whiskey connoisseur and CEO of Whiskey Masters, Daniel Ufland has shared his wisdom on how to fend off next-day regrets with strategic eating.
Daniel said: "Top of my list of foods to avoid before drinking alcohol by a long way are salty snacks, sugary foods, and dairy products.
"Consuming these things before imbibing with friends can be worse than unpleasant afterwards."
Easy-to-grab munchies like popcorn, pretzels, and crisps may seem appealing during a spirited soiree, but these salty supplements could intensify your hangover hardships.
The reason being, salt amplifies dehydration much like alcohol itself does, reports the Mirror.
Elaborating on the woes of salty feasting, Daniel added: "Consuming too many salty snacks can also lead to bloating and fluid retention.
"This prevents your body from efficiently flushing out the alcohol and can worsen hangover symptoms the next day."
Tucking into sweets and starchy staples such as pasta and bread could amplify alcohol's effects, as they are converted into sugar inside your body prompting a swift escalation in blood sugar levels followed by an abrupt crash.
Daniel said: "This rapid change can have a big impact on how you feel while drinking. A sudden drop in blood sugar can make you feel fatigued, lightheaded, and more vulnerable to alcohol's effects."
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Before you plan on sipping that cocktail, Daniel advises against indulging in dairy products like yoghurt, cheese and milk.
He said: "Dairy can actually slow down digestion, causing alcohol to sit in your stomach longer than usual, which may irritate the stomach lining and lead to nausea or bloating."
The lipids and protein within dairy items might also stagger the absorption rate of booze, leading to delayed tipsiness and intensifying the challenge for your system to metabolise alcohol setting the stage for a potent hangover the morning after.
Considering alternatives to prevent that post-drinking misery?
Daniel suggests filling up on fish such as salmon, abundant in protein and healthy fats, along with potassium-packed victuals like bananas, spinach, and avocados.
Yet, the ultimate tip from Daniel remains to sip alcohol in moderation avoid overindulgence, stay adequately hydrated by matching each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water, a practical tactic sure to guide you through the festivities unscathed.
He emphasised the need for a mindful tactic towards alcohol consumption and said: "Ultimately, I suggest a mindful approach to eating before you drink, and drinking in moderation. Doing these things can turn drinking alcohol into a discerning, enjoyable and social thing to do."
