What happens to your body during a day at the races

YOUR body goes through the wringer during a day at the races. Here, nutritionist Kristen Beck offers some tips to help you make it through unscathed.

What a day at the races does to your body

WHAT happens to your body during a day at the races? It basically goes through the wringer, says nutritionist Kristen Beck.

“Usually people start at 9.30am. You would be missing your normal breakfast and probably having a liquid, alcoholic breakfast instead,” she told news.com.au.

Team that up with being out in the sun all day, and it’s a recipe for disaster. “People’s concern for nutrition certainly goes out the window and you tend to make bad choices,” Kristen said.

At the races you certainly don’t stick to your vodka, lime and sodas — it’s all beer and champagne.

“Drinking champagne and beer tends to up your blood sugar levels quite a lot. Some carbs are good, just not the ones in champagne and beer. Those carbs are basically just sugar,” Kristen said.

But there is some consolation. Most event planners and workplaces are becoming healthier.

“It’s very trendy at the moment to eat healthily. I can’t remember the last time I saw a spring roll at an event. It’s more protein and plant based food, which is good. It means it’s harder for you to make bad food choices.”

Here are some of Kristen’s tips to make it though the day a little less worse for wear.

1. Eat protein

“Having something like a quiche with a bit of protein in it, rather than going for the more bread-based options is better. The best canapés to eat are protein-based. Even a few pieces of sushi or sticking to seafood, rather than fattier meats like pork belly is best.”

2. Hydrate

“The more you drink the more dehydrated you’re going to become, because alcohol increases your urine output. People often mistake hunger for thirst and thirst for hunger. They think, ‘Will I have something to eat or something to drink?’ And of course, they usually have both.

I know it’s difficult, but going one-for-one with an alcoholic beverage and a sparkling water can really help things.”

3. Hold off on the champers until at least 10.30am

“Most of us are addicted to coffee and have two coffees a day — one in the morning and one in the afternoon. But because we start drinking so early on race day we usually go without.

“So you’re likely to feel a slump during those times and grab a drink or something sweet to pick you up. You might start to feel a sugar craving in the afternoon. If you start drinking later, this will ease slightly.”

4. Have some meals ready-to-go for the next day

“We know that when you’re tired you crave more sugars and more refined carbs. And the less sleep you have, the more calories you tend to consume the next day.

If you can, have things pre-prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner the next day, then you’re less likely to make bad food choices when you’re hung-over. You can get back on track easily so it’s one day of bad eating, rather than two or three.”