To hang(over) or not to hang: Survive the morning after

Ahh the hangover. We’ve all had them in the past, and chances are we’ll all have them again. But it doesn’t have to be so bad – these before and after–cocktails tricks will help ease the pain and discomfort that comes after a big night out.

Pre-Game

• • Hydrate! Just because you’re consuming a liquid doesn’t mean it’s quenching your thirsty cells. Alcohol is a diuretic, flushing out water, and you won’t even feel it until you wake up and feel like a giant pink elephant is sitting on your aching head. If you know you’re going to have cocktail, hydrate with water all day before, throughout the night and especially before you go to bed.

• • Eat! A healthy meal before cocktails will not only give you energy for a fun night but also help control the speed alcohol hits your system. Protein, whole grains and vegetables are all good pre-game foods.

• • Know how different alcohols affect you. For example, some people get worse headaches from wine than from martinis. Tequila affects some more than vodka and is sometimes the difference between clear and brown liquors. Different drinks have hundreds of different natural and synthetic components and you could be reacting to different ones. As you work your way through the “spirit world,” pay attention to how each affects you.

• • Don’t overdo it! Moderation is the surest way to avoid the sting of a hangover.

Post-Party

• • Hydrate more! If you wake up during the night, drink water. First thing in the morning, drink water.

• • Sleep in if you can – your bed is your friend.

• • Go for a run or a swim. Exercise gets your metabolism moving to process the residues of the night before, and – that’s right – makes you want to drink more water!

• • Eat healthy. Contrary to popular belief, greasy or fatty foods are not your cure. They may taste good, and alcohol might make you crave sugar and fat, but they can make you feel sluggish. A few of my favorite morning after foods are soba noodles (Japanese buckwheat noodles that you can find at most Asian markets), whole grain buckwheat (very delicious and nutritious), menudo (Mexican tripe soup that if made well is sooo tasty), pineapple and asparagus (which contain natural enzymes that can help break down bad things in the tummy), coconut water (hydrating, and full of isotones that help your body absorb the moistsure more efficiently), and finally quinoa. This super grain (which can be made ahead and enjoyed with nuts and raisins like a breakfast cereal) is packed with protein, enzymes and all kinds of good stuff that will get you back in the saddle.

Ashley Trego is a chef, event planner, wine industry professional and freelance food and wine writer. She works with Black Bridge Winery, 5680 Vineyards, Alfred Eames Cellars, to name a few.