Food and Drink to Avoid While Drinking Alcohol!

When you wake up with a splitting headache and an upset stomach, it's clear that you drank too much the night before. In moderation, alcoholic beverages can add to the experience, but only if you're careful about what else you put in your body simultaneously. Certain meals compound the negative effects of alcohol or cause more discomfort the following day. Don't do your stomach a favor as the weekend approaches by eating any of these meals before drinking alcoholic beverages.

Stick to these tips, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a savvy drinker who feels human the morning after a night out.

Foods That You Need To Avoid While Drinking Alcohol!

Spicy Foods: A Recipe for Disaster

Spicy food and alcohol are a recipe for disaster. The spiciness can intensify the effects of alcohol, and not in a good way.

Have you ever had too many margaritas with hot salsa and woken up with a raging fire in your stomach? That's because spicy foods contain compounds like capsaicin that can irritate your stomach lining, especially when combined with alcohol. The alcohol allows more spicy compounds to enter your bloodstream, creating a burning sensation that intensifies as you continue drinking.

To avoid discomfort, skip the spicy snacks when imbibing. That means no hot wings, chili, or kimchi. Even salsas and spicy guacamole can spell trouble. Your stomach will thank you the next day.

In general, it's best to avoid mixing alcohol and spicy food altogether. However, if you must indulge in both, do so in moderation. Have a glass of milk handy to neutralize the spicy compounds, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. You should also choose less spicy options and alternate between spicy and non-spicy bites.

Spicy food and alcohol don't play nicely together for most people. Save the hot and spicy for when you're sober, and you'll avoid discomfort and enjoy your drinks more. Your stomach will thank you in the morning!

Sugary and Greasy Fast Food: A Bad Combination

We all know greasy or sugary foods are terrible for our health and waistlines. But did you know combining them with alcohol can be an even bigger problem? These foods negatively interact with the alcohol in your system, leading to unwanted side effects.

Sugary mixed drinks, cocktails, and chasers spike your blood sugar and cause an energy crash later. The sugar also accelerates the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream, increasing intoxication and the severity of your hangover. Not a good combo!

Greasy fast food like burgers, fries, and pizza is hard for your body to digest independently. Add alcohol to the mix, and your stomach has to work overtime. This can lead to indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. The fat in these foods also delays the metabolism of alcohol in your body, prolonging the effects and increasing toxicity.

A night of heavy drinking with a side of fatty, sugary food is a recipe for disaster. You'll feel awful the next day and gain extra pounds from the empty calories. Do yourself a favour and avoid these unhealthy pairings. Your body and waistline will thank you!

Instead, choose lighter snack options like:

•Vegetables and hummus

•Cheese and crackers

•Trail mix

•Fruit

Or better yet, don't drink on an empty stomach and have a balanced meal before heading out for the night. Your body and health should be a top priority, so make good choices and always drink alcohol in moderation.

Caffeine: An Unwanted Stimulant

In contrast to alcohol, caffeine is a stimulant. When combined with alcohol, coffee reduces the subjective consequences of drunkenness. The detrimental health and safety effects of excessive alcohol use are possible outcomes.

• Caffeine stimulates adrenaline production, which raises heart rate and blood pressure momentarily. This can increase the cardiovascular stress caused by drinking. Avoid this concoction if you have hypertension or heart disease.

• Because caffeine is a diuretic, it might also cause you to get dehydrated. A strong hangover is a common side effect of drinking alcohol when dehydrated. If you mix coffee and alcohol, drink lots of water.

• It's difficult for your body to process both coffee and alcohol at the same time. Because coffee stays in your system longer, you get more time from both drugs. This prolongs the duration of symptoms, including poor judgment, clumsiness, and disturbed sleep.

• Don't be fooled into thinking you can drive or engage in other complex tasks if you've mixed caffeine and alcohol. Your reaction times and decision-making skills are still impaired even if you feel alert.

In summary, consuming caffeine with alcohol is never a good idea and should be avoided. Your body and mind will thank you for keeping these two separate. Stick to one stimulant at a time—either enjoy your coffee or cocktail, but not both together. As a note, you should also be careful not to drink too much coffee. 

Red Meat: Too Much of a Good Thing

Red meat like beef, pork, and lamb should be avoided when drinking because it intensifies the effects of alcohol. The proteins and fats in red meat take longer for your body to digest, so consuming it with alcohol can make you feel more intoxicated since the alcohol is absorbed faster than the food.

Slower Digestion

The proteins and fats in red meat take hours to break down and digest. Meanwhile, alcohol is absorbed quickly into your bloodstream. This means the alcohol has more time to circulate before the food is digested, allowing higher blood alcohol concentrations. You'll feel drunker sooner, and the effects may last longer.

Higher Blood Alcohol Levels

When you eat red meat with alcohol, your body focuses first on digesting the alcohol. The undigested meat sits in your stomach, and as your body works to break it down, the alcohol continues being absorbed into your blood and tissues. When the meat is digested, a large amount of the alcohol may have already entered your bloodstream. This results in higher peak blood alcohol levels that take longer to return to normal.

To avoid unwanted intoxication and unsafe situations, choose lighter fare when drinking, like fish or chicken, vegetables, salads, or appetizers. These options digest more quickly so your body can start processing the alcohol and food together, preventing spiked blood alcohol levels. Your body and mind will thank you the next morning! Stick to one glass of water for every alcoholic drink and avoid shots to help pace yourself. Staying hydrated and eating before drinking is always a good idea.

Dairy Products: Curdling Sensations

Dairy and alcohol don't mix well together in your stomach. The proteins in dairy can curdle when they come in contact with alcohol, leading to indigestion and nausea.

Yogurt, Cheese, and Milk

Avoid eating yogurt, cheese, ice cream, or milk while drinking or after. The curdling sensation that results is unpleasant and can upset your stomach. The proteins in dairy, especially the milk protein casein, don't break down easily in the presence of alcohol. This can lead to chunks forming in your stomach that cause discomfort, gas, and diarrhea in some people.

If you choose to have dairy with your drink, consume it at least an hour before or after to allow your body to fully digest one before introducing the other. 

Lactose Intolerance

For those with lactose intolerance, the combination of dairy and alcohol is a double whammy. The lactose in dairy is hard enough for your body to break down, and alcohol inhibits the enzymes needed to digest lactose. This can lead to severe stomach pains, cramps, gas, and diarrhea. If you have lactose sensitivity, all forms of dairy should be avoided when drinking.

Some non-dairy alternatives to have with your drink include:

•Plant-based milk: Almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk

•Vegan cheese or yogurt: Made from nuts, seeds, or soy instead of cow's milk

•Fruit sorbets or sherbets: For a creamy treat without the dairy

•Dark chocolate: For satisfying your sweet tooth

Avoiding dairy when drinking alcohol is your safest bet for comfort and well-being. Your stomach will thank you for it the next day!

Conclusion

Instead of snacking on oily or dairy-heavy items the next time you go out for drinks with pals, try something lighter, like almonds or vegetable sticks. Your well-being should always be your first priority, not just while you're under the influence of alcohol. Take care of yourself and make healthy decisions; you'll be happier.