Cake is to a child’s party what alcohol is to an adult’s. The festive season of Christmas, the parties on the Fourth of July, and the final days of summer call for a cocktail or two. But between the chatting and the dancing, and who knows what else, it is easy to lose track of just how many drinks you’ve had. 

     That one drink soon turns into a bottomless glass, and that dream of a quiet morning after is quickly replaced by a headache and a few trips to the bathroom. Fortunately, with a little planning, you can have your drink, and drink it, too.

     The easiest and most effective way to prevent a hangover is to limit your drinking. The body can break down only one unit of alcohol in an hour. It will take two hours for your body to process one pint of beer. A large glass of red wine takes as long as three hours.  You can still enjoy that martini or beer, but try to drink only one alcoholic beverage per hour. This will allow your body time to process the alcohol you have already consumed.

     Carbohydrates protect the stomach from the irritating effects of alcohol, and a full stomach helps the body to process the alcohol. Eat a carbohydrate-packed meal before drinking and snack throughout the night. And remember to drink lots of water to protect yourself against dehydration, a common side effect of alcohol consumption.