Think Before You Drink: How To Defeat The Munchies
KTB on preparing to avoid pigging out when you’ve got the drunk munchies.
So you’re out with your friend’s on Friday night, and you’ve made a plan to stick to one drink for the night to keep your calories down. You’ve been doing well all week, and you’re keeping the mixers light and the shots straight. Unfortunately for you, after a couple drinks, you find yourself waking up the next morning with a pizza box left infront of you, along with a empty bag of chips resting next to you and your best friend. You did it again, you broke your streak.
This right here is the reason why your diet plummets to the ground after a night of drinking: late night munchies. Like I’ve said time and time again, getting your drink on will never be a low-calorie event, but there are ways to keep your calorie intake on the lower end by swapping out different add-ins and making other modifications.
Unfortunately, no matter how much you “skinny up” your margarita, all that work will go to waste after you get a late night craving for Taco Bell or Papa Johns. A 100-calorie cocktail will mean nothing after downing 5 pieces of 250-calorie pizza. Sorry, people, this stuff still counts after midnight.
Luckily for you, it is possible to have something nutritious to eat after a night on the town, and it maybe even combat that desire all together!
Have a Meal Beforehand
Kick out the risk of being hungry by eating a meal before going out. By having food in your belly, you’ll stay satisfied throughout the night, and the alcohol won’t hit you as hard as it would without a proper priming.
If you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing a binge-drinking extravaganza on an empty stomach, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Turning towards a loaf bread or a bag of McDonalds may make you feel a little less nauseous, but will do no wonders for your waistline.
Set Out Your Snacks Before You Go Out
Sometimes, even if you’ve had your pre-outing meal, you know that you’re going to come home starving and want to eat of anything you can get your hands on. So, instead of being left to reach for that stale bag of animal crackers, have some things laid out and ready for your 2am arrival.
No, vegetables and other fresh produce may not be the first thing on your mind, but having some pre-packaged bags of nuts or fresh fruit will supply you with some necessary nutrients and leave you feeling less like you swallowed a giant rock in the morning. We can call it “meal prepping after dark.”
Make Note of the Food Venues You’ll Be Around
If hunger hits you and you can’t wait to get home to your healthy munchies, you may seek sustenance elsewhere, and sometimes, all you’re left with are late-night bar menus and chain restaurants. Well, thanks to technology, it’s become easier to plan out what it is that you’ll be selecting off the menu before you even get there.
If you know where you’ll be at the end of the night, try to plan ahead by checking out some online menus and seeing what they have to offer. If they offer nutrition info for their dishes, even better! (just be sure to do this before you leave the house).
Combatting drunken cravings after downing many drinks can be incredibly difficult, but it is possible to keep it on the lower-end of the calorie spectrum. A splurge can be reasonable or it can be derailing, so drink smart, munch consciously, and be happy.
