Most people have heard the advice to “line your stomach” before drinking alcohol. While this is a great idea, there are some foods that can do more for your body (and your brain) than others. The food we eat has many benefits. It fills our stomachs before we drink alcohol. The water content in the food dilutes any alcohol we consume. The next is that the food’s proteins, fats and fiber slow down alcohol absorption while providing nutrients and vitamins that are lost from alcohol.

It is important to choose the right food and the quality you eat before drinking. This can make a huge difference in how we feel about alcohol. Pre-drinking alcohol can help reduce some of its negative effects. They can also help control hunger and balance electrolytes. Eating the wrong types of food can make it worse. This can lead to heartburn, indigestion and bloating. Our top five hangover-fighting recipes will leave you feeling fresh the next day.
Let’s start with the Top 10 Best Foods to Eat and discover why they are so good.
What to Eat:
1. Eggs are high in protein and brain-boosting nutrients choline. They make a great pre-drink food. The valuable liver-protecting B vitamins in eggs and the amino acid cysteine help to eliminate toxins from your body (6, 10). The longer we eat protein, the better. This helps reduce the chance of feeling hungry after a night of drinking, and makes it less likely that you will wake up to the remnants of a kebab that was much more tempting (9, 20). You can avoid ordering take-out by choosing a high-protein meal before you order alcohol. Alcohol has been shown to decrease inhibitions and increase appetite. Eggs are a quick snack that can be eaten quickly if you have a limited time. You can enjoy them scrambled or boiled, fried, or poached. We recommend pairing them with avocado and smoked salmon, which you will see in our recipe.
2. Salmon is one of the most nutritious sources of omega-3 fats. It’s a great pre-drink protein source. Salmon is not only rich in protein to reduce hunger but also contains healthy fats that make it a star of the show. Fat slows down food’s exit rate. The longer food stays in the stomach the slower alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. This means that you will feel less like you are being warmed up over the next day. Because alcohol is nearly instantly absorbed into our blood, it is easy to feel the effects of alcohol if we consume it on an empty stomach (6, 14,15). Also, salmon is a great source of vitamin B12 which can be depleted when we consume alcohol. You’ll also get extra antioxidants to protect your liver from excess toxins and damage. You can grill, bake, poach, poach, roast, bake, poached or even tin it! Veggie? You can also get omega-3 fatty acid from nuts.
3. Oats are cheap, quick, and extremely nutritious. They provide a great source of fibre as well as protein which makes us feel fuller longer. Oats are known for their nutritional benefits. Numerous studies have demonstrated that they can improve liver health and protect against alcohol-induced liver damage (1,4, 7, 10, 11). Oats can be used in a variety of baked goods, such as pancakes or overnight oats. Oats are a great addition to smoothies and can be made into flour to make pizza crusts and flatbreads. Oats can be used to make your own oatmeal milk. All you need is water and oats. However, this will decrease the nutritional value.
4. Bananas: When we drink alcohol, we need more peeing – especially after you have ‘broken the seal’ with your first pee of the evening! This is not only an inconvenience but it also exposes us to the danger of our bodies ‘washing away” dangerous amounts of potassium and sodium. A banana can be a great way to increase potassium levels. Combine Greek yogurt with it to increase your potassium levels (2, 10).
5. Greek yogurt — Talk about the devil! Because of its perfect combination of carbs, protein, and fat, Greek yogurt is one the best pre-drink foods (6, 18). You can also top the yogurt with nuts, seeds and fruit. Then you can make delicious dips, sauces, dressings, and blend it with your favorite fruit to create smoothies. This is a great snack option for those who don’t have the time or energy to prepare a full meal.
6. Berries are a superfood. Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are rich in antioxidants, essential nutrients, and include fiber, vitamins K, and manganese. High water content in berries is a great way to stay hydrated, which is crucial when you drink alcohol. Research has shown that antioxidants found in berries can protect cells from alcohol-induced damage. Blueberries have been shown to increase the levels of antioxidants in the liver, which may help protect against the effects of alcohol consumption (4,5, 11, 12,17, 19, 19).
7. Avocado– Eating avocados before heavy sessions can reduce the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into your body. Avocados are a great source of healthy fats, especially if you are a vegetarian/vegan who doesn’t eat oily fish. The gut takes hours to process these healthy fats, which means that alcohol will take longer (3). You don’t have to like the texture or taste of avow. Instead, you can add them to a smoothie and reap the health benefits. Check out our Super Boost Smoothie recipe.
8. Sweet potato– Another great source of potassium, sweet potatoes also contain complex carbs that are slow to digest and may help reduce the effects alcohol has on the body (18). You can use sweet potatoes in both sweet and savory recipes. They are the perfect jacket potato, and can be paired with almost any dish. For a sweet pre-drink treat, top a baked sweet potato in cinnamon, peanut butter or greek yogurt. You can also add pureed sweet potatoes to bread, blondies, and brownies. Sweet potato fries are a crowd favorite and can be baked or fried to make them a nutritious side dish or snack. For a quick and easy pre-drink treat, check out our sweet potato fries recipe.
9. Quinoa This delicious grain is rich in protein, fiber and many essential micronutrients. It has a high level of potassium and magnesium, which have been shown to reduce electrolyte imbalances due to alcohol consumption (16). Quinoa is not just a healthy alternative to rice or couscous. There are many ways you can use quinoa in soups, stews, and even salads. Quinoa can also be used in homemade energy balls, granola bars and muffins. Quinoa can also be added to falafel mixture before baking or deep frying. This adds great texture and flavor. For a tasty pre-drinking treat, check out our recipe for quinoa pudding.
10. Beetroot is a purple powerhouse that packs a lot of nutrients! Pre-packaged cooked beetroot juices are an excellent option if you don’t have the time or can’t find fresh beets. Beets have an impressive antioxidant content. They have also been shown to reduce liver cell damage by 38%. Additional studies showed that beetroot juice boosts liver function and detox (5, 12, 13). Fresh beets can be roasted, grilled or boiled, and even pickled. These beets are delicious in soups, salads, slaws, and even dips. Check out our minty yogurt dip below. You can make delicious chocolate brownies with blended beetroot.
How to Avoid
Avoid sugary foods and refined carbs before you start drinking, such as white bread, pasta, sweets, and fizzy drinks. They are digested quickly so that alcohol is absorbed into the blood very quickly. You may also experience spikes and crashes in blood sugar, which can increase your chances of having beer-fueled munchies later in the evening. Drinking alcohol can cause fluid retention and bloating, especially if you eat foods high in salt like chips or crisps.



