Festive Drinking Survival Tips

That crazy time of year, it sneaks up on us every time. The drinks are flowing, the sun’s out and the guns are well and truly out. You’ve got social catch ups left right and centre, and unless you’re catching up with your mates at the gym, I’m guessing you’re heading out for a few vinos with the girls, a few pints with the lads or that office Christmas party where it’s all you can eat and drink. While the silly season might throw at us everything we could have ever wanted like kids on Christmas day, our poor livers cop it sweet. Not to mention other vital organs like the brain and kidneys. And chances are, our waistlines will feel the pinch too.

Now, I’m going to put my hand up and acknowledge that I’m by no means perfect. In fact, like many of you I’ve been there, done that, worn the T-shirt. And I wouldn’t wish a hangover on my worst enemy. So why folks, why do we do this to ourselves? It all seemed like a good idea at the time. Well, today I’m here to give you a helping hand. This month I want you to rock up to your events like a boss with a few tricks up your sleeve. I could be a purist and say that the best way to avoid a hangover is to not drink at all, but I’m going to keep it real because I know what this time of year is like. So, in good faith and as my Christmas gift to you, here are my 9 tips to survive the silly season.

#1 – Choose clear over dark drinks

Darker coloured alcoholic beverages like red wine, scotch and bourbon contain higher levels of congeners, a by-product of fermented yeast, which can make hangovers worse. Go for vodka, gin or white wine instead.

#2 – Mix with fresh lime & soda

Vodka lime and soda has often been regarded as a lower kilojoule drink, and it’s true. Spirits mixed with soda means you’re getting a bit of hydration in there and not just sculling down highly processed sugars and additional kilojoules. Make sure you ask for fresh lime, not that awful sweet lime cordial which is also high in sugar.

Did you know? Tonic water has the same amount of sugar as other soft drinks. A lot of people think tonic water is a better option, but sadly it’s not. Soda or sparkling water are both kilojoule free and are the best mixers to go for.

#3 – Have a water between every wine

Dehydration is one of the main reasons our heads hurt so much after a big night. If you stay hydrated throughout, you’ll feel so much better the next morning. Grab a sneaky water between every wine and you’ll be doing yourself a big favour. Even better, make your next drink a soda water with fresh lime. Everyone will think it’s vodka and you can let them believe it.

#4 – Ease up cowboy

We all like to get into the festive spirit, but if you want to do the right thing by your body and treat it like the temple it is, then put on the breaks a little. I will often order a nice martini, sip it slowly and enjoy it rather than downing 5 glasses of wine. Drinks are it’s something that should be savoured, not slaughtered!

#5 – Line your stomach

Yep, the old wives’ tale is true. Have a substantial meal with good quality carbs, protein and healthy fats before you kick off your Christmas festivities. It will help reduce the hangover and cravings for junk food the next day too.

#6 – Quit the kebab

It’s almost a rite of passage some might say after a big night out. But whether you’re into cheeseburgers, kebabs or KFC chips, none of these are good options at 3am. When you drink alcohol, the body’s number one priority is to metabolise it and remove it from the body. When you have that greasy kebab, your body is too busy metabolising the alcohol and will more than likely store those kebab kilojoules as body fat. Also, more research into the circadian rhythm is telling us that eating late at night is never a good idea. The moral of the story is, line your stomach before you go out rather than indulging later.

#7 – Drink kombucha

No one is going to haul you over the coals for not drinking, and in fact sometimes when we have so many functions going on, giving our livers a break makes a lot of sense. Why not grab some kombucha on the way to your next BBQ? You’ll feel so very hipster, save on cab fares and not to mention feel amazing the next day.

#8 – Choose LIGHT beer not low carb

I know what you’re thinking. This cannot be! Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but it’s a bit of a marketing gimmick the old low carb beer. The truth is, beer was never that high in carbs in the first place. Alcohol (containing 29kJ/gram compared to carbs at 16kJ/gram) is the real issue here. So choose light over low carb if you’re looking to cut down on the ‘beer belly’.

#9 – Go easy on the cocktails

I must admit I love an aperol spritz on a hot summer’s day, but with cocktails be mindful that there’s more alcohol and sugary mixers, so this means more kilojoules. Creamy cocktails are even higher in kilojoules due to, you guessed it, the cream. My motto with these things is quality over quantity. Sip slowly, don’t sabotage the six pack and make it a night to remember.

Here’s how many kilojoules you’re drinking

Kombucha (330mL) 99 kJ

Vodka Lime & Soda (250mL) 282 kJ

Light Beer (375mL) 386 kJ

Champagne (150mL) 405 kJ

White Wine (150mL) 423 kJ

Red Wine (150mL) 426 kJ

Low Carb Beer (375mL) 454 kJ

Martini (70mL) 520 kJ

Full Strength Beer (375mL) 581 kJ

Mojito (350mL) 710 kJ

Cider (330mL) 868 kJ