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8 Foods You Should Eat Before A Holiday Party

Want to avoid a hangover and overeating? This list will save you.

By
delish-peanut-butter-apple-nachos
Ethan Calabrese

Party season and a healthy diet don't exactly go hand in hand, and while you may know which foods are the healthiest to eat at a party, and which foods you should probably avoid ahead of time (sorry greasy takeout and a pre-game bottle of wine), there are some foods worth snacking on beforehand, just to avoid sabotaging yourself later in the day (read: getting a hangover, overeating and the photographic blackmail of just how hard you partied, courtesy of your BFFs-turned-betrayers).

1

Eggs & Avocado

avocado-egg-boats
Chelsea Lupkin

First things first—don't skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast means you'll be more likely to overeat later in the day, but that doesn't mean you want to scarf down a carb-heavy muffin or a sugary plate of pancakes. Stick to healthy fats and protein, like avocado toast, baked eggs in avocado, or an omelette.

2

Salad with Protein

roasted salmon with strawberry arugula salad recipe
Judy Kim

A leafy green salad is a great option for lunch—the combo of veggies and salmon or grilled chicken will give you plenty of fiber and protein to keep you full and ensure you don't show up to the party ravenous. 

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3

Nuts

Almonds

If you're hungry mid-afternoon and need a pick-me-up before the party, stay away from carrot sticks and celery stalks. Instead, reach for a snack that's high in protein and healthy fats, like nuts. Since they can be high in calories, you don't want to devour a handful, but they're pretty nutrient-dense, so having a few will help keep your hunger at bay.

4

Yogurt

Yogurt

Plan on drinking at the party? Make sure your afternoon snack is full of protein, like Greek yogurt. The protein can help control your blood alcohol levels.

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5

Hummus & Veggies

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Crudités, Ingredient, Carrot, appetizer, Natural foods, Dip, Vegan nutrition,
SIMON BORDWIN

You want to make sure you're full, but you don't want to be so stuffed that you don't enjoy the party food, so hummus and veggies is a light snack that combines protein, fiber, and water to fill you up without weighing you down.

6

Peanut Butter and Apples

peanut butter apple nachos
Ethan Calabrese

Healthy fats + fiber is the secret weapon you need to fight overeating later on.

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7

Water

Water

Drinking dehydrates your body, so make sure you're loading up on plenty of water during the day if you plan on drinking later.

8

Quinoa

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Stuffed peppers, Ingredient, Acorn squash, Vegetable, Produce, Recipe, Staple food,
Ethan Calabrese

Not only is quinoa full of fiber and protein to keep you full, but meals that are high in fiber also slow your stomach's emptying time, which is key if you're drinking so that the alcohol doesn't hit you as quickly. Bonus points if you eat it in avocado, since you're taking in healthy fats too.

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