The short answer: eat a balanced meal with protein, healthy fat, and complex carbs before you drink. Food slows how fast alcohol hits your bloodstream, blunting the spike and giving your body time to keep up.
The best foods before drinking
- Protein and fat: eggs, salmon, avocado, Greek yogurt, cheese — these digest slowly and blunt absorption.
- Complex carbs: oats, brown rice, whole-grain bread for steady energy.
- A real meal beats a snack: chicken and rice, a salmon bowl, or eggs and toast are ideal.
Why an empty stomach is the worst move
With no food to slow it, alcohol floods your bloodstream fast — a higher peak your enzymes can't keep up with, which means more acetaldehyde and a rougher next day. Why that byproduct matters.
Don't stop at food
Food is step one. Add water, pacing, and a Gush about 30 minutes before your first drink. The full prevention guide.
Always drink responsibly. This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.