Do’s

·         make the first move and bring up the topic of alcohol;

·         take time to listen to what your child has to say;

·         respect your child’s views, if you want the same in return;

·         discuss the risks associated with drinking alcohol;

·         discuss possible consequences of their actions and support them to make the right choices;

·         think about your own drinking and the influence this can have on your child’s behaviour.

It’s the holiday rush. You’re struggling to keep up with those end-of-year deadlines and buying that perfect gift for Grandma. So you forget to eat dinner before going for drinks with friends. And because you don't want to be a killjoy, you get involved in the festivities.

Before you know it, that "one drink" has turned into a three-day hangover.

As someone who had their share of boozy nights before quitting drinking in 2010, I know what it's like to be left with a nasty hangover. And while I've never felt better since giving up alcohol completely, I know that most of us still want to enjoy seasonal spirits this holiday — without harming their health or suffering a major headache the morning after.

So here's what I recommend you do before, during and after drinking alcohol this season to help limit the damage:

Do’s before drinking

1. Commit to your exact limit.

Try this: Don't think about a pink elephant. Impossible, right? Similarly when you think, “I’m not going to get drunk,” it’s impossible to stop thinking about getting drunk. Your mind is wired for reward and novelty.

So instead, focus on the positive by thinking, “I easily can only drink two drinks and lot's of water,” or whatever works best for you.

2. Make plans for the next morning.

If you’re conscious of a 7 a.m. commitment, you’re more likely to leave the bar early. It could be your favorite exercise class, running errands, or grabbing coffee with a friend. It’s a good excuse to make an early exit.

3. Prepare a healthy pre-drink meal.

You’ll feel the effects of drinking more if you haven’t eaten anything beforehand, since alcohol is absorbed from your stomach. Slow down the metabolism process by filling up with protein and high-fiber foods like asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower.

When preparing your pre-drinking meal, ask, “Are there health-giving benefits to this product? Did it once live, grow or swim? Have ingredients been added to the original product?” Answering in the positive means your meal will likely be antioxidant-rich, which helps the liver.

Do’s while drinking

1. Slow down.

Drink slowly and aim to have no more than two drinks in three hours. To keep busy, focus on creating great conversation by asking ice-breakers like, “What’s your story?”

2. Alternate drinks.

For every alcoholic drink, order a glass of water with ice and fresh lime — it's an excellent source of Vitamin C and adding some flavor will likely help you drink more. You can also consider adding an effervescent electrolyte (you can pick them up at most drugstores) to further help prevent dehydration.

3. Head home by 1 a.m.

Nothing good happens after 1 a.m. When I was a social drinker, I got into the most trouble between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. After the 1 a.m. buzz of going to a new party, I’d be eating a slice of pizza or a pack of Doritos by 3 a.m. I’d drink more beer and sometimes smoke cigarettes. Now I have a firm 1 a.m. cut-off for when I head for home.

Do’s after drinking

1. Drink a hangover smoothie.

A smoothie gives you bang for your buck: quick to make, convenient, nutritious, simple and tasty. Blend some coconut water (to help with hydration), protein powder, frozen berries and a handful of spinach.

After drinking, your body will be inflamed — so also consider spicing up your smoothie with these healing herbs and spices:

• Cumin: It's used in traditional medicine to treat issues like indigestion, diarrhea, nausea and morning sickness.
• Cinnamon. One of the highest antioxidant-rich spices, cinnamon can help improve blood sugar levels.
• Turmeric. Research shows that it's anti-inflammatory and can even protect the liver.

2. Don’t take ibuprofen.

If you can, avoid taking medications like ibuprofen, since they can have some nasty side effects, like stomach pain, digestion issues and nausea.

3. Stay hydrated (but not with Gatorade).

Alcohol is a diuretic, so it's important to drink lots of water before, during and after drinking. But avoid Gatorade — some varieties contain as much as 21 grams of sugar! If you’re sitting around, this can cause a big insulin spike.

Instead, get electrolytes from mineral-rich water. Coconut water is also a great option, because of its electrolyte content (including potassium) and ability to help you hydrate quickly — and avoid headaches.

4. Eat eggs.

There's actually some sicence behind the idea of frying up some eggs the morning after: The amino acid, cysteine, contained in egg yolks assists your liver in breaking down acetaldehyde from alcohol.

So there you have it: simple and easy things to do before and after drinking. If you feel overwhelmed by the number of tips, just pick one or two to experiment with and find out what works best for you.