We have all been here, whether it’s a tailgate, boisterous apartment, or quiet get together, pregames come in all shapes and sizes. However, they all have one goal in mind: drinking as much as possible before going out. As you walk in, you hear laughter, music, and drinks being poured. With our college budgets, our pregames do not have nourishment provided, but for adults or graduates in the case of a tailgate, food is provided to snack on. It is important to think about what types of foods to eat while you are drinking in order not to get sick and ruin the more important event of the night.
Appetizers are a huge part of tailgates and pre-party gatherings. Small finger foods are very popular because they are easy to grab as well as easy to make. Below is a recipe for one of my favorite finger foods, pigs in a blanket. Pigs in a blanket is the perfect way to get your protein and dairy with carbohydrates wrapped around it. These are great to eat before a party, football game, or as an afterschool snack. Guacamole, salsa, queso, and basically all types of creamy delicious dips are also great to munch on. Any of the following dips would be a great choice to serve your guests:
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Loaded Baked Potato Dip
- Rotel Dip
- French Onion Dip
- Chili Cheese Dip
Everyone knows you must eat before drinking alcohol. More food in your stomach means less alcohol in your bloodstream. As Dale Pinnock said in his article on drinking, “Eat before you drink and the alcohol will drip into your body’s systems, rather than flooding them.” This will help not only keep you from forgetting your night, but also from butchering your liver and other internal organs. He says that eating foods with natural fat content will help slow down the absorption. Salmon, avocados, nuts and seeds, meat, and dairy products all have natural fat content, keeping you going all night. People are often mistaken on what foods to eat; while you want to have something in your stomach, you also don’t want to eat to the point where you are hugging the toilet later.
| Do’s |
Don’ts |
| Do eat | Don’t eat anything spicy |
| Do eat a lot of carbohydrates | Don’t eat Salad it is not substantial enough |
| Do have fun and drink responsibly | Don’t go to B-Phil’s and get their delicious curly fries |
| Do eat foods with natural fat content and proteins | Don’t go get sushi with your girls right before a night out |
| Do make sure to drink a large glass of water before you go to sleep and in the morning | Don’t eat anything greasy because it will want to come up later |
| Do drink water in between drinks (I promise it won’t sober you up) | Don’t order that large Dominos pizza when you get home and eat it all by yourself |
Recipe for Pigs in a Blanket:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients: 10 hot dogs, 10 pieces of cheese, and a roll of Pillsbury crescent rolls
Servings: 20
Step 1: Heat oven to 375°F. Slit hot dogs to within 1/2 inch of ends; insert 3 strips of cheese into each slit.
Step 2: Separate dough into triangles. Wrap dough triangle around each hot dog. Cut each hot dog in half. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, cheese side up.
Step 3: Bake at 375°F. for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.