As New Year’s Eve approaches, you may be getting ready to pop open a bottle of champagne with your friends and loved ones to celebrate. However, it’s important to keep moderation in mind and practice safe drinking habits to make sure the night remains enjoyable for everyone. Keep the cork in the bottle for now and review these tips to stay safe and healthy as you enter 2023:
Make sure everyone can drink safely: Certain conditions and medications may make it unsafe for you or your loved ones to drink any amount of alcohol. Additionally, if anyone is (or may be) pregnant or lactating, alcohol in general can negatively affect the health of their baby. If you are hosting a celebration, find out if any of your guests cannot or should not drink; this way, you can provide alternative options for their enjoyment.
Find out if anyone attending your gathering is driving: If you plan to host a gathering, find out if anyone in attendance is driving to make sure that you can limit their alcohol consumption or help them if they drink too much. If you’re attending a gathering and become aware that a driver has had too much to drink, inform your host and offer any help you can to ensure the person’s safety.
Opt for beverages with low alcohol content: For most of the night, choose drinks such as beer or hard seltzer instead of wine, mixed drinks, or straight liquor; these drinks typically contain around 5% alcohol per serving. Be careful not to drink these beverages too quickly; take small sips over time.
Eat before, during, and after drinking: Make sure you’ve had a meal within a few hours of your first drink and have snacks available as you continue to drink. Once you’re finished drinking for the evening, have something extra to eat to reduce the effects of the consumed alcohol.
If you or anyone you know develops alcohol poisoning, dial 911 immediately. For anyone suffering from alcohol dependency, Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Division of Addiction Services may be able to help. To learn more about our inpatient Chemical Dependence unit, contact us at (718) 670-5693 or (718) 670-5540. For more information about our Reflections treatment program, call (718) 670-5078.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
y calories and although there is no direct link between alcohol and obesity, research has shown it can be a reason to why people may place more on their plate than necessary. Trusted websites, such as Medicine.net reported, “Studies have shown that in the short term, alcohol stimulates food intake and can also increase feelings of hunger. Having your judgment impaired and stimulating your appetite is a recipe for failure if you are trying to follow a weight-loss plan.” A Margarita with chips and salsa may sound appetizing, but the calories in a Margarita drink can be as high as 270 empty calories; a reason the bowl of chips seem endless. Here are few other drinks and their calories to keep in mind the next time you’re out for lunch, dinner or happy hour: