Health Tip: Ways to Avoid ‘Drunkorexia’ in College
By Kelly Leslie, Student at San Francisco State University
How far will you go to enjoy the party?
Experts say that one in six women in the U.S. skip meals before a party to get drunk faster and avoid excess calories, according to a recent NY Daily News article. The motivation behind this is almost always one of three things: Staying slim, becoming intoxicated more quickly and saving money.
Partying in college is fun, but it is important to drink responsibly and stay healthy.
Skipping meals before drinking is hazardous for your health. It may seem like it isn’t a big deal because “everyone is doing it,” but in reality you could really damage your body. The NY Daily News article says that “it can cause short- and long-term cognitive problems including difficulty concentrating, studying and making decisions." It is especially dangerous for women because our bodies metabolize alcohol differently than men do.
Trying to make yourself feel drunk faster is almost always dangerous, and it is never good to begin drinking with the idea that you want to become ridiculously intoxicated. It is easy to enter college with the perception that the purpose of partying is to get as drunk as possible, but we all know that never ends well. Don’t let your peers pressure you into consuming more alcohol than your body can handle. Start out slow and learn your body’s limits so you know when you have had enough.
It is true that alcohol is high in calories, but skipping meals before drinking is never a good idea. If you know that you are going to a party, make health-conscious decisions about the food you eat, but don’t deprive your body of what it needs for something that can damage it. Instead, skip the late after-party snacks and hit the gym in the morning. Your body will be glad you did.
Money should never be the reason that you don’t eat. If you are worried about spending too much money going out, stay in and cook a meal with your girlfriends before the party. Eating at home is always less expensive than eating at a restaurant, and it can be healthier, too!
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