Better Bach Party Eating & Drinking
By Kayley George, RDN, LD
It’s time to party! The big day is almost here and it’s time to celebrate with your bride tribe. This weekend is going to be full of wild nights, eating out, but most importantly, making lifelong memories. Below you will find everything you need to know for your bachelorette party weekend to keep you on the right path for your wedding day.
Hydration
Hydration is key. What better fluid to stay hydrated with than water? Everything in your body requires water to function properly, and when you are hydrated you can operate at peak capacity. Aim for at least half of your weight in ounces. Throughout your bachelorette weekend, you’ll need all of the energy you can get. Staying hydrated is also critical to avoiding mindless eating and giving into bad cravings, while also easing any potential hangover symptoms. Alcohol drains you of fluids and is known to mask dehydration. This loss of fluids also exacerbates the symptoms of a hangover the next morning. So do your morning self the favor and drink your water!
Tips for staying hydrated while drinking:
Sandwich your alcohol (before and after drinking) with 16oz glasses of water
Alternate between your alcoholic beverages and an 8oz glass of water (one drink for one water)
Before you go to sleep and when you wake up chug a bottle of water
Order blended drinks with extra ice in them
Better Alcohol Choices
What’s a good bachelorette party weekend without some alcohol involved? However, the calories and sugars in cocktails pile up fast. With all of that extra sugar, you are welcoming a harsher hangover in the morning. One easy trick is to avoid any drinks with simple syrup. Simple syrup is a common sweetener which dissolves white granulated sugar into water, which can then be added to some cocktails.
Here is a breakdown of best to worst alcoholic drinks to get you started:
VODKA, TEQUILA, GIN > DARK SPIRITS > DRY CHAMPAGNE > DRY WHITE WINE > DRY RED WINE > SWEET WHITE OR RED WINE, SWEET CHAMPAGNES > BEER > SUGARY COCKTAILS
Drink Mixes:
Vodka & Club Soda
Gin & Tonic
Pinot Noir
Bloody Mary
Vodka & Gin Martini
Rum & Diet Coke
Manhattan
Remember that days of drinking are a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself throughout your weekend and listen to what your body is telling you. By making better choices when it comes to drinking, you will also be able to avoid those food impulses that come up as the night goes on.
Check out our FREE guide on how to drink your favorite “booze” while still losing weight!
Staying Active
This weekend might be a getaway or a time to take a break from the chaos of life, but that doesn’t mean you have to throw your routines down the drain. You might want to still maintain some form of your active routine, even if it’s not at full capacity. Set up a “minimum standard” for your activity level that you knock out at home or when traveling. Staying active is going to get your heart pumping, balance your blood sugar, boost your serotonin levels, and put you in a better mental state for the weekend. The best part is, you don’t have to do it alone! Here are just a few ways to break a sweat with your girls:
Take a 30-minute hike or walk in the park
Do a Youtube yoga class
Sign up for group barre, spin, or pilates
Experiment with aerial yoga or pole dancing
Cooking vs. Eating Out Every Meal
Eating out every meal can become a huge culprit on bach weekends. Consider staying at a place with a kitchen to allow your group to cook homemade meals. By having your own kitchen, you’ll be able to prepare some lighter meals while also saving a good chunk of change. Here are some easy dinner ideas to feed a large group:
Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Meatballs
Salmon Stir-Fry
Turkey Burgers
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Thin Crust Veggie Pizza
Salmon with Kale Salad
Sharing Meals
When eating out with your squad, do your best to split meals with someone else to limit the portion size. Or, order a few separate dishes as a group so everyone can dig in and enjoy a taste of everything. Sharing meals is a great way to moderate calories throughout your weekend while also allowing you to try some meals that you would not order on your own.
Planning Restaurants Ahead of Time
If you are planning on eating out during your weekend of adventures it is always best to plan ahead of time. Given that you’ll be eating with a larger group, it would be smart to do your research on restaurants that will accommodate your big party. While you’re at it, you can check out their menu and figure out a game plan for your meal. Coming ahead of time with a plan will minimize in-the-moment decisions when you’re tired or hangry. As a bonus, planning your meal ahead of time will cut costs, save time, and avoid the hassle of making a group decision in a crunch. Aim to be the first person to place your order so that you avoid any persuasion from the group. Knowing your meals ahead of time can help you navigate where to splurge and where to pull back.
Breakfast
Don’t fall prey to the idea of saving up your calories in “bank”. Breakfast is one of the first meals to go when you are trying to cut corners, but don’t let this critical meal fall to the sidelines. A solid breakfast is especially important with a wild weekend ahead of you. Skipping breakfast does way more harm to your body than you think it does. A healthy breakfast not only boosts your metabolism but it also provides a steady fuel source that your body needs to run at full speed throughout the weekend.
By skipping breakfast, you are throwing your body off it’s normal routine. Even if you’re exhausted or hungover from the night before, the worst thing you can do to yourself and your body is skipping this important meal. Breakfast kickstarts your body’s fuel reserve into producing energy to get through the weekend. Plus, skipping breakfast typically leads to overeating later in the day because your body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs in the morning.
Not only does skipping breakfast take a hit on your energy levels, but it will also throw off your mood when your blood sugar drops too low from undereating. So do yourself and everyone around you the favor of having yourself some breakfast!
High Carb Breakfast vs High Protein Breakfast
When it comes to breakfast, these foods usually fall into the two categories of carbohydrates and proteins. Carbohydrate breakfast foods include oatmeal, bagels, muffins, granola, toast, and waffles. Many people may find themselves gravitating towards these carb-heavy breakfast foods, assuming these are the healthier options. However, consuming large portions of carb-heavy foods can do more damage than good to your blood sugar. By eating protein rich foods first thing in the morning, you will curb your hunger longer and keep your blood sugar steady. You’ll find yourself snacking less and experiencing fewer cravings throughout the day. Here’s a list of protein-rich breakfast foods to start your mornings off right:
Egg
Turkey Bacon
Veggie-Filled Omelette
Protein Smoothie
Greek Yogurt Parfait
Breakfast Sausage
Smoked Salmon
Have Fun
Most importantly don’t forget this weekend is all about the people you are with. Enjoy this time with your girls for one last hoorah before those wedding bells ring. Remember, this weekend is not about food or drinks, it’s about celebrating a new marriage. If you indulge a little too much one day, don’t beat yourself or throw in the towel. Start fresh the next day and keep moving forward.
Want to have fun, enjoy a variety of food, and indulge in the occasional drink without sacrificing your health and wellbeing? Set up a FREE discovery call with Kayley today!
Published on Apr 20, 2020 at 7:36 am