Many don’t realize that some foods can impact how you feel when drinking alcohol, albeit negatively and, hence, should be avoided prior. So that you can enjoy your evenings with your health undisturbed, here are some of these foods you should steer clear of.
Sweets and Desserts
Sugary foods like cakes and candies can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar followed by a crash, which is why they’re terrible to eat before drinking. This fluctuation can make you feel more intoxicated and contribute to a more severe hangover, so stick to sugar-free snacks before a session.
Carbonated Drinks
Soda, sparkling water, or any other carbonated drinks can increase the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream. This can lead to a quicker and stronger buzz, potentially catching you off guard. Save the bubbles for when you have a beer.
Dairy Products
Eating milk, cheese, or any other dairy product can coat your stomach lining, which might seem helpful, but in reality, it can cause digestive issues when combined with alcohol. This can lead to discomfort and bloating, which nobody wants to feel on a night out.
Salty Snacks
It’s never wise to consume salty snacks like chips or pretzels before drinking, because as NDTV reminds us, they can lead to dehydration, just like alcohol. This combination increases the risk of a hangover, making it crucial to avoid them before drinking. Instead, opt for hydrating foods to maintain balance.
Spicy Foods
Everyone knows that spicy foods can irritate your stomach lining, but this is particularly true when combined with alcohol. This irritation leads to increased acid reflux and discomfort, so it’s best to avoid spicy dishes before heading out for drinks, opting for milder options.
Fried Foods
You should always avoid eating fried foods before drinking, as they make you feel sluggish and bloated, compounding the effects of alcohol. The high-fat content slows digestion, making alcohol linger longer in your system, which can intensify its effects and make you get overly drunk.
High-Fiber Foods
It’s probably not the best idea to eat foods rich in fiber, such as beans and whole grains before you drink alcohol. Combining these with alcohol can lead to increased gastrointestinal discomfort, making your night out less enjoyable. Choose lower-fiber foods instead to keep your digestive system calm.
Acidic Foods
Anyone who has ever eaten acidic foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes before drinking knows that it can irritate your stomach lining. This will result in increased acid reflux when combined with alcohol, which could quickly put an early end to your night out.
Caffeine
Drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee and energy drinks, can dehydrate you, making them an awful choice as a pre-game drink. Since alcohol also dehydrates, combining the two can lead to severe dehydration and an intensified hangover. So, avoid consuming caffeine before drinking, and you’ll be thanking us later.
Artificial Sweeteners
Diet sodas and sugar-free snacks contain artificial sweeteners, and the digestive issues that these can cause are a terrible contribution to drinks with your friends. When mixed with alcohol, these effects can be amplified even further, leading to more discomfort, so they’re best avoided.
Red Meat
It’s common knowledge that red meat can be tough to digest and sit heavy in your stomach, so remember not to eat it before you drink. When combined with alcohol, this heaviness can slow down digestion and lead to feelings of lethargy and bloating, which is never a nice feeling.
Garlic and Onions
You won’t want bad breath during a night out as you never know who you might meet, so it’s wise to avoid eating garlic and onions before a night on the town. Worse still, when mixed with alcohol, garlic, and onions, it can lead to acid reflux, which won’t be pleasant.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Foods such as broccoli and cauliflower are cruciferous vegetables, which give you gas and bloating. This is normally manageable, but combining them with alcohol can exacerbate these symptoms. Instead, eat some regular vegetables like carrots or bell peppers for a gentler option on your stomach.
Legumes
Another food that you should best avoid before drinking alcohol is legumes, such as beans and lentils. They’re high in fiber and can cause bloating and gas, and when consumed before drinking, this only gets worse. It’s always wise to choose easily digestible food options when you’re drinking alcohol.
Processed Foods
Any food that is highly processed will generally contain high levels of sodium and preservatives, which can lead to dehydration and bloating. So, consuming these foods before drinking alcohol can lead to a disastrous hangover, and we’re sure you’re going to want to avoid that.
Pastries and Baked Goods
It might be tempting to fill up on a pastry before you go out but remember: they’re high in sugar and refined carbs, which can cause rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes. This can make you feel excessively intoxicated, which we all know can lead to all manner of problems.
Nuts
While they are healthy, nuts are high in fat and can be tough for our stomachs to digest when consumed in large quantities. This can slow down the absorption of alcohol and lead to bloating, so if you insist on eating pre-game nuts, take it easy.
Soft Cheeses
We mentioned earlier that dairy before drinking is a bad idea, but soft cheeses, like brie and camembert, are particularly bad for causing bloating. If you do eat them, you’ll be walking around the club feeling incredibly heavy, so just give them a miss.
Soy Products
There’s no denying that soy products, such as tofu and edamame, are healthy and delicious, but they’re infamous for causing gas. No one wants to drink around someone with gas, and the alcohol only makes things worse. So, choose another protein source to avoid being ‘that guy.’
Pickles
Fermented foods such as pickles are yet another food that can cause tremendous gas, so drinking alcohol immediately after them isn’t smart. After your drinking session, your body will likely crave the saltiness of a pickle, so save them for the afterparty.
Bread
Much like other items on this list, it’s never wise to consume bread, especially white bread, before drinking alcohol. It will cause rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes that will make you feel light-headed, so take a whole-grain option instead, or better still, avoid bread altogether.