With party season approaching, what are the best foods to eat before drinking?

As the festive season approaches, many of us look forward to celebrations filled with good company and, inevitably, a few drinks. But while a night out can — and should — be fun, it often comes with the dreaded morning-after effects. The good news? Eating the right food and drinking responsibly doesn’t have to be complicated.

The secret to handling the demands of party season and drinking responsibly often starts with what you eat, but when you’re socialising, it’s hard to predict what kind of food will be on offer. Will it be a full meal or just a few nibbles? Planning ahead by fueling your body with the right foods before heading out is key to keeping your energy stable and supporting your body if consuming alcohol. The Health Promotion Agency (HPA) advises adults aged 18+ to limit alcohol intake to reduce long-term health risks: women should have no more than two standard drinks a day and 10 per week, while men should stick to three per day and no more than 15 per week, with at least two alcohol-free days each week.



For occasions exceeding daily limits, women should cap intake at four standard drinks and men at five. A standard drink contains 10g of alcohol, but typical pours often exceed this amount. The process of supporting yourself through this social time is a conversation naturopath and nutritionist Annaliese Jones is having with many of her clients as Christmas nears.

We asked her to share her advice on how to make smarter choices before drinking this silly season. The pre-drinking game plan.