How to get an ‘A’ in college nutrition, Part II: Night Life

Posted October 3, 2007 at 09:00 AM by Courtney Albon

Section: Her Health, Her Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Weight Control

One of the most common escapes from the grind of classes is “going out” -a ritual that guarantees a late night, food and alcohol.  Because participating in the campus night-life is so ingrained in college culture, many students put little thought into the health implications that are linked to late night partying until they wake up with a hangover or realize that the extra calories have added a few more inches to their waisteline.

There are, however, a few preemptive steps one can take to make a night out a bit more healthy.

Eat before you drink It’s easy to forget to fuel your body - with nutrients - before you go out.  Especially when the night doesn’t start until 11.  But, there are a lot of good reasons to make sure that you have some sustenance in your system before you start drinking.  A gram of carbohydrates or protein has only 4 calories to alcohol’s 7, making it a lot easier for your body to burn the calories you consume from food.  Eat something high in carbs or protein and your body will use the food for fuel rather then the empty calories from the alcohol, helping to regulate your metabolism and slow down the absorption of alcohol.

Make smart beverage choices

The obvious way to reduce your caloric intake when drinking is to choose a light beer.  By switching to light, you can save yourself an average of 41 calories per beer.  Beyond beer, another option is to mix high calorie liquor with another lower calorie beverage.  You could try vodka with a diet sprite or go for a screwdriver - 7 ounces has only 175 calories.  If you’re at a restaurant, choose a dry, white wine rather than a sweet dessert wine and you’ll save more than 200 calories.

Avoid the hangover

While you can’t will yourself out of a hangover, there are conscious steps you can take to avoid the headache.  The best way to avoid a hangover is to drink in moderation.  Darker beverages contain congener, a natural chemical that facilitates swelling and headaches, so choose a clear beverage instead. It’s also a good idea to stay hydrated, so, between drinks, try to have a glass of water or juice. 

For research and more information: WebMD