The Drink Well Guide
**This guide is only for people 21+ in the United States (or the legal drinking age where you live).
**Please consult your doctor to know whether alcohol can be incorporated into your diet.
**If you have received a healthcare directive to not drink alcohol, please honor that directive.
DRINK WELL GUIDE TOPICS:
Safety
Please drink responsibly! You may have heard this a billion times, but drinking responsibly really matters. Your life is important, and so is the lives of others. Your loved ones would be devastated if you were hurt or even worse. Don’t risk it! Practice safe drinking…now!
Plan Ahead - If you’re going out to drink, how are you going to your destination? How are you getting back from your destination? Who is the designated driver? Always have a Plan B in mind in case Plan A falls through. People change their minds. That designated driver could decide he or she wants to drink. Also, monitor the actions of your designated driver. Is he or she drinking at all? If so, time for Plan B.
Enjoy the Ride - Do not drink and drive! Instead, just enjoy being chauffeured around town. Use Uber, Lyft, Via. Phone a friend or relative - even if it’s late at night. He or she might be annoyed, but it’s better than the alternative.
Buzzed Driving = Drunk Driving - When someone is buzzed, his or her judgement is impaired. Driving in this state is not a good idea.
Drink Sloooowly - Drink slowly in order to not get drunk and to get drunk too soon. Wine is meant to be had with food (more about that here). Have a tiny sip every minute or two. Yep, nurse that beer! Your wallet will even love you for it!
Respect Your Limit - Know your limit, and respect it! Maybe your tolerance is not high. That’s okay! Everyone’s body is different, so you don’t need to keep up with everyone else. You do you, boo!
Health
Yes, alcohol CAN be healthy for you, but not always. Here are some ways to keep it healthy.
The good old-fashioned rule applies here, too - Everything in moderation, including alcohol. A natural calorie-reducer!
“Red, Red Wine” - The band UB40 was onto something with their hit song. Given how wine is made, red wine tends to have nutrients from the grape skins, such as polyphenols (helps with digestion) and resveratrol. Here are popular, lower-calorie red wines (based on 5 fl oz): syrah (123 calories), pinot noir (122 calories) and cabernet sauvignon (123 calories).
What about White Wine? - Sure! Try these lower-calorie white wines: sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio (both about 125 calories)
Dark or Clear Liquor? - Clear liquor is better since dark liquor has congeners, substances with chemicals that exist during the fermentation process. So better to drink vodka or gin than brandy or whiskey.
Hard Liquor - Hard liquor doesn’t have as many nutrients as wine, so wine is healthier to drink. If you’re going to drink hard liquor, try to have it straight up, with tonic or seltzer water, or with a simple piece of fruit. Instead of a mixer or juice, go with a simple lime or lemon - less sugar is better!
Food Allergies
Drinking is different when you have food allergies. Here’s what to know.
Eat before you drink! - Drinking can sometimes lead to an error in judgement, like accidentally eating a food with one of your food allergens. It’s best to eat a hearty meal so that you’re not hungry. You can also carry snacks with you, like salty foods such as pretzels, potato chips, baked kale, or other baked vegetables if you get a case of the munchies.
The Obvious - Do not drink wine if you have a sulfite allergy or sensitivity (the obvious that’s still worth noting).
Fish, Egg and Milk Allergies - Some wines use proteins from fish, eggs and milk during wine processing. Call or email the winery to ask whether those allergens are used during the wine production.
Carry Your EpiPen (Always!!) - It still works even when you drink.
Do Not Share Drinks!! - You never know who just ate one of your allergens. Stick to your own drink. When someone asks whether you’d like to try a sip of his/her drink, just say, “No, thank you.” No need to give an explanation. If someone asks, “Can I have a sip of your drink?,” you can say that provide a reason. Just let the person know it’s not about them and not to take it personally.
Inclusion
Drinking is not for everyone, but it can be important to feel comfortable in drinking situations. Here’s how
Exit Stage Right - If you’re in or around a drinking situation that makes you feel uncomfortable because there’s something illegal, immoral or unsatisfying, you can leave. You can just get up and walk away. You can also say, “I’m going to excuse myself.” No explanation needed.
Being Peer Pressured - You don’t need to drink to be cool or to have a good time. If someone is insisting that you drink, you can say something to the effect of, “I’m just not drinking tonight.” It’s your choice whether you’d like to give an explanation, but you don’t have to. If someone is insisting that you drink to a maximum level, you can say something to the effect of, “I’m kindly asking you to stop. Thank you.”
Peer Pressuring Others to Drink - Don’t do this. #notcool
When Everyone Else Is Drinking, and You’re Not - If you don’t feel like fielding questions about not drinking, get some seltzer water from the bar and put some lime in it. It’ll look like you’re drinking a vodka or gin drink. Also, have fun in your social setting sans drink-in-hand. Spark up a conversation with someone. Get on the dancefloor. Schmooze, mingle!
Just know this - What you choose to put into your body is YOUR choice and no one else’s.
Fun!
Reminder - Just a reminder that you don’t need to drink to have a good time
But if you do drink… - Sip your drink, savor every taste and drink slooowly.
Ask yourself these questions: What do I taste, smell, feel? Live in the moment!
Ask questions: Ask an expert how your drink was made, processed. Knowing more about your drink will give your drinking experience new life!
Remember the fun you’ve had: Another reason to know your limit, drink slowly and enjoy your drinking experience!