Sidestep the hangover. Dietitian reveals 3 simple precautions to end your party woes

From Christmas to New Year's Day, the turn of the year encourages celebration, sometimes culminating in an all-too-familiar hangover. Anyone who's experienced this knows exactly how unpleasant it can be. A dietitian is here to advise us on what to focus on to prevent it this time around.

Dietitian Caroline Hanna, who runs the @healthbycaroline profile on Instagram, recently shared some tips on how we can sidestep the hangover trap in a conversation with needtoknow.co.uk. It's simpler than it appears, as long as you adhere to three central principles.

Firstly, resist drinking on an empty stomach. This is the biggest misstep you can make, especially if you anticipate alcohol at the event. Caroline Hanna underscores that for this rule to be effective, a nutrient-dense meal should be consumed before any alcohol.

"Drinking on an empty stomach quickens the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, which can expedite intoxication," she warned.

"Alcohol can also irritate the stomach lining and without a protective buffer of food, the effects will be much more severe. One can feel sick or experience other digestive woes," she added.

Secondly, she suggested that the 'pre-drinking' meal should be well-rounded.

"One should consume meals that are balanced in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates since they can contribute to overall well-being. Healthy fats are especially crucial - they take longer to digest, which means they linger in the stomach longer. It will then reduce the speed of alcohol absorption into the bloodstream," said Hanna.

Lastly, but just as importantly, preventing a hangover involves consuming adequate water to maintain proper hydration during alcohol consumption. Caroline Hanna advised drinking one glass of water for each alcoholic drink consumed.

"Since alcohol is a diuretic and amplifies urination, it can lead to dehydration. Hence, drinking plenty of water can help offset this," she emphasized.