Avoid a miserable New Year’s Day hangover

With New Year  upon us, evoking images of feasts, fun with family and friends and fond

memories, remember not to overlook your physical health. Prepare for the effects of indulging

in your favourite alcoholic ‘potables’ by keeping the following hints and tips in mind, with some

remedies to suit your party schedule…

In general it is best to eat before, during and after drinking! But if you cannot manage that, a

good ‘stomach lining’ before you pop that first top will go a long way towards bribing your body to

remain quiet when you wake up the morning after. The ‘South African Way’ means a protein and

fat combination, such as boerewors and chips, or bacon, egg and cheese sarmie. Some vitamins and

minerals – fruit juice/salad, Essentiale, Berocca, etc. – round off the alcohol inoculation nicely.

This may not be good news for those of you who are driven to diet over the festive season, but at

least fool your system with some salad or veggies.

In so saying, do not be fooled into thinking that you can take in more calories in beverages because

you are skimping on your meals! Alcohol interferes with the body’s normal processes of fat

absorption and burning of energy. Also, your body is vindictive and will go into storage mode if you

suddenly start limiting your normal meals. This has been proven by scientists, so if you don’t believe

me consult your search engine!

Drinks to avoid if you are watching your calorie intake: almost anything mixed with cooldrink,

beer (sorry about that), sparkling wine/champagne (or the non-alcoholic pseudo-stuff), vodka (it’s

made from potatoes), cider, and definitely those chick-type coolers and cocktails (like pina colada,

Bootylicious Berry, etc.).

Low-calorie drinks: whiskey/whisky (with water, soda or rocks, not with lemonade!), wine (the drier

the lower in calories; there are ‘extra lite’ varieties available on the market, as with beer), spirits (not

with cooldrink), tequila (oh happy days).

You’ve all heard the thing about the water – a hangover is caused by dehydration, and includes

symptoms such as a headache, dry mouth, general listlessness, blurred vision, etc. So drinking water

in and around your partying, no matter how little alcohol you plan to take in, has been proven to be

a good way to limit the effects of drinking. Don’t knock it before you try it! Half a glass of water for

every alcohol unit is advisable.

Some swear to a couple of paracetamol pills before falling into bed, so if you think you need to head

your hangover off at the pass, have two with a large glass of water before you got to sleep.

How to Avoid Hanging Out with your

Hangover…

Hair of the dog: A favourite of many, due to it being a sign that the party is to go on… Have two

quick shots of whatever it was you were drinking the night before. If you can’t remember, have one

of what you started with and one of the last thing you remember drinking.

That bloody Mary…: A virgin bloody mary is a great idea – that’s tomato cocktail, Worcestershire

sauce, black pepper, lemon juice, pepper sauce and a stick of celery (or any combination as long as

there’s tomato juice).

Traditional remedy: Greasy breakfast, all the way! A skottel will ensure best results, and will

create a social atmosphere as well. Don’t forget the fried bananas – they are high in minerals that

trick your brain into thinking you’re in a good mood.