Eat protein before you party

We’re in the heat of the greatest party week on earth, though those at Purdon’t would argue that their twisted rendition of Mario Kart and manure wrestling is a competitor. While celebrating the infamous Little 500 week, it’s important that you pregame your overflowing Solos and crushed Stones with a hearty meal.

I hated alcohol.edu more than anyone. However, it is helpful in preparing to party at IU, it was a tedious exercise. But, hidden deep within the pie charts and bar graphs and poor dialogue was some interesting information.

You need to eat a lot if you plan on drinking a lot.

This painfully obvious yet critically important point is overlooked by many on this fine campus. Whether you’re crushing Nattys and handles at the frats or spending copious amounts of your life savings at the bars, it’s critical that you consume plenty of protein before you do so.

The Notre Dame Office of Alcohol and Drug Education determined that a person who eats a hearty meal with lots of protein hits a peak BAC (blood-alcohol-concentration) later than someone who doesn’t.

This does not condone heavier drinking.

Rather, if you’re looking for the social relaxation effect commonly associated with drinking, the best effect comes from a large meal followed by responsible drinking.

Protein is key when preparing to drink. And to get a Little 500-ready amount of protein, the following are two obvious foods I recommend as preparation for the kind of nights you’ll most likely lie to your future children about.

Steak (beef)

If your parents came to join the party, make them take you to Janko’s Little Zagreb. Beef — particularly if it’s a good cut of beef, like a steak — is highest in protein, coming in at about 36 gram protein per 100 gram of meat.  There are plenty of places to get a good steak, and it will keep your head out of a toilet and out of jail. If you’re a vegetarian, a peanut-butter sandwich made with half a jar of JIF is equivalent. If you’d rather have a burger, Buffalouie’s has Sweet Lou burgers for $4.99 this Thursday evening. 

Chicken

Chicken and turkey are the second-best way to get your protein. Though cheeses are generally higher in protein, eating a weight in cheese similar to a chicken breast would produce disastrous results. Every restaurant in Bloomington, save those pesky vegetarian establishments, has chicken. Chicken comes in all shapes, sizes and methods of preparation too, so eating chicken before Alesso tonight might be a great idea. 

To vegetarians, vegans and others who participate in the exclusion of delightful dining, I must apologize. I’ve neither tried, nor plan on trying, to eliminate meats from my diet, though I have appreciated the magic of some vegetarian dishes in Bloomington. Tofu will not save you from the effects of copious consumption of alcohol, but eggs, nuts and cheeses will, as they’ll pack a protein punch similar to the meats listed above.

To all, please remember to eat plenty, drink responsibly and go to the races Friday and Saturday.