Eat before and while you drink
Have a real meal before your first drink and keep eating, because alcohol is absorbed faster on an empty stomach.
- How often
- As needed
- Time
- Before drinking
- Recommended for
- 2 factors
How to do it
- Eat a full meal with protein, fat and fiber before you start, not just snacks.
- Have a glass of water with that meal.
- Keep food going through the evening if you are drinking for several hours.
- Decide in advance how many drinks you'll have, and stick to it.
Why it helps
Drinking on an empty stomach speeds up how fast alcohol is absorbed, which pushes blood alcohol higher and faster. Food slows that down. It does not make drinking safe or prevent a hangover. The only way to avoid a hangover is not to drink, or to drink very little. The less alcohol, the better for your health.
Be careful
Food does not make you safe to drive. If someone is confused, can't stay awake, is vomiting, has slow or irregular breathing or clammy, bluish skin, call 911. That can be alcohol overdose. If drinking itself is the problem, SAMHSA's free, confidential helpline is open 24/7 at 1-800-662-4357.