The festive season often brings a calendar full of work do’s, neighbourhood gatherings, family catch-ups, and long lunches with friends. Amid the excitement, it’s easy to feel run down or low on energy. While indulgence is part of the fun, there are simple ways to stay energised, hydrated, and feeling your best—without making it all about alcohol.
Plan Your Plates and Snacks
What you eat before and during social events can make a huge difference to how you feel. Meals combining complex carbohydrates, moderate protein, and some healthy fats provide steady energy and help maintain blood sugar. Whole grains, oats, and sweet potatoes are great choices for complex carbohydrates, while lean proteins like eggs, yogurt, and fish supply amino acids to support liver function.
Be mindful of heavy or greasy combinations, such as meat with cheese or fried foods. These can irritate the stomach and slow digestion, leaving you feeling bloated or sluggish the next day. Similarly, overly large or fatty meals can intensify discomfort and fatigue.
Hydration is Key
Even minor dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and sluggishness. A simple way to stay on top of your energy is to alternate drinks with water throughout an event. Electrolyte-rich options—bananas, coconut water, spinach, and avocados—help replace potassium, magnesium, and sodium lost through activity or alcohol consumption, reducing cramps and tiredness. For a subtle boost, a pinch of salt in water or a sports drink can help maintain balance.
Make Smart Drink Choices
For those who enjoy a tipple, lighter options tend to be easier on the body. Cocktails can be tempting, but the sugar in many mixes can spike blood sugar and worsen fatigue later. Sticking to simpler drinks—or alternating them with non-alcoholic options—supports hydration and energy. Choosing drinks with less sugar helps your body maintain stable energy and reduces inflammation. For further tips on reducing your alcohol intake, check out our article from last month.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods for the Festive Season
Alcohol, late nights, and rich meals can trigger inflammation, which contributes to tiredness, aches, and headaches. Choosing anti-inflammatory foods and drinks can counteract some of these effects. Focus on:
- Berries, kiwi, citrus fruits, and leafy greens for antioxidants and vitamins C and E
- Fatty fish, nuts, and seeds for omega-3s
- Green tea or ginger for gut-friendly anti-inflammatory benefits
Conversely, try to limit highly processed foods, sugary snacks, and excess saturated fats, which can amplify inflammation and make you feel sluggish.
Timing Matters
Eating a balanced meal before an event can slow digestion and help maintain steady energy. Proteins take longer to digest than simple carbohydrates, which can slightly slow alcohol absorption, supporting steadier energy levels. Pairing this with complex carbohydrates and a bit of healthy fat gives you the best foundation for a long evening.
Support Your Body with Key Nutrients
Alcohol and festive stress can deplete vitamins and minerals. B vitamins and magnesium play a role in energy metabolism and can reduce fatigue. Including foods rich in these nutrients—like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains—helps your body stay resilient during a busy social schedule.
Tips for Staying Energised
- Eat a balanced meal with complex carbs, moderate protein, and healthy fats before events
- Choose lighter drinks and avoid sugary cocktails
- Keep hydrated: water, coconut water, or lightly salted drinks
- Include antioxidant- and electrolyte-rich foods in snacks or meals
- Limit heavy, fried, or overly fatty meals that slow digestion
- Prioritise B vitamins and magnesium through food or supplement if needed
- Focus on anti-inflammatory foods to support energy and wellbeing
With a few simple strategies, you can enjoy festive events while keeping energy high, reducing fatigue, and supporting overall wellbeing. The focus is on staying energised and hydrated, so you feel good for every gathering on the social calendar.
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