Party Animal

So you have a party tonight, and you promised yourself to be a decent human being who won't trash himself over alcohol and after party food. But as usual, it is easier said than done, and you often find yourself tiptoeing by 3AM, wondering how many drinks you had, and dreaming of a fatty snack. Of course a broad spectrum of after party restaurants are available around town, and in no time, you will find an eating buddy.
Next morning, as usual, you promise yourself to be wiser the next time around.
In a perfect world, alcohol would be calorie free, hang overs would not exist, and everything you eat after midnight wouldn't be stored by your body.
However, reality is completely different, so let's manipulate the available variables to enjoy every night out with less guilt about your health and slenderness.

A first step would be to eat before any party, rather than going out on an empty stomach. This way, by filling your stomach with food, ideally a light meal that comprises of a bit of beneficial fats, would fit the scenario. For example, if you're eating at home, eat some brown toasts with light cheese, along with some vegetables topped with olive oil. Or if you are out, order a grilled fish with some steamed vegetables, or a baked potato, or go for a seafood or chicken salad with a light dressing. Also, stop eating before your plate is empty.

The second step would be pacing yourself. Usually in parties you order you first drink, finish it, get thirsty ( alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it expels water out of your system), so you order a second drink, and the cycle goes on and on all night long. Well, if you order a glass of water after every alcoholic drink, you would be decreasing the dehydration effect, and hence decreasing hangover effects the next morning.

A third tip would be to do the better choice. In fact, not all drinks are created equal. A glass of whiskey, vodka or gin would be on its own at least around 200 calories, same for a margarita or Long Island. So by having two drinks, you are getting more calories than if you ate a medium sized box of French fries from McDonald's. Instead, go for wine, and you will be saving more than 200 calories from alcohol, and would still count as drinking. Most of you would not go for wine though, so let me help you drink with pleasure minus the damage. If you go for a sweet drink, the sugar will mask the taste of alcohol, and you will therefore drink more. Replace your vodka red bull or seven up, or your whiskey sour, by a real hard liquor drink. Have a short glass with ice and straight vodka and a slice of lemon. Or have a dry martini instead of any fruity martini or similar drink, and have your whiskey the way our dads have it, plain with one ice or two.

Now shots, well pick something that has a strong flavor but less alcohol. For example instead of going for a tequila shot, have a doudou shot, since half of it is lemon, and the Tabasco in it makes you feel like you had a very strong shot.

A fourth tip would be to take advantage of the dance floor. You're out looking your best, and in need for some action. Leave your drink alone for a bit, and dance. Everything you need is there: good music, people in a good mood, and your friends of course. You will be having even more fun and enjoying the company of people around, while burning calories. So lose the couch or bar stool and shake it!