Bottom’s Up

I went to a Bachelorette party last weekend where I got to see a lot of my friends from high school. Not only was it great to reconnect with them all, but it was also my first time out as a 21-year-old in the city. I’m the baby of our friend group, so finally feeling like a big girl had me thinking, “okay Mackenzie, it’s time to drink responsibly.” Because let’s be honest, we all know that Bachelorette parties and alcohol go together like chips and guacamole (or queso, I don’t discriminate). 

While it’s obvious that the secret to drinking responsibly is not over-indulging, people tend to underestimate the importance of the before and after. The more you take care of yourself before a night out, the better you will feel the next day. A good place to start is making sure you’re hydrated throughout the day, not just chugging a bottle of water right before you start drinking. Why? If you consume too much water in one time period, you’ll end up having to run to the bathroom way more often, which can lead to even more dehydration. It’s a good idea to stick to about 8 glasses of water spread throughout the day, and even an additional right before you start drinking. 

Caffeine is my best friend, and I’m assuming it’s yours too. But caffeine and alcohol are not best friends. They aren’t even acquaintances. This is not only due to the fact that caffeine is a diuretic (AKA makes you pee, so say “hello” to dehydration), but it’s also very acidic, which is a stomach irritant. Know what else irritates your stomach lining? Alcohol. Drinking both within 4-6 hours of each other could lead to an upset stomach or puking. So if you’re going out at 10 PM, your coffee cut-off time is 4 PM to be safe. 

We all know that eating before drinking is critical for so many reasons, but a factor that’s often ignored is what you are actually eating. While obviously eating anything is better than nothing, it’s best to eat a balanced and filling meal a few hours before drinking. Your meal should contain starch (ideally a bread product, but a bulkier veggie like corn works for those who are gluten free), protein, and healthy fats like fish, nuts, or eggs. Adding a source of watery fruit for additional hydration is a bonus (think watermelon, cantaloupe, or pineapple). 

After you get back from a night out, it’s definitely a great idea to drink at least another glass of water (shocker, I know) and keep a water bottle by your bed. While I know it can be tempting to just fall into bed, spending an extra 15 minutes up and rehydrating will have your morning self thanking you. As for drunk food? The biggest tip is to not overeat, because that could lead to a whole different kind of stomach ache in the morning. But I know that’s easier said than done, so let’s call that a bonus tip.

Alcohol is a part of a lot of people’s lives as young adults, but it’s important to remember to take care of yourself. Big girl Mackenzie will be putting these tips into practice this year, because life is getting too real to be bedridden the next day.