It's New Year's Eve and for many it's an opportunity - or an excuse -- to get downright toasty. Unfortunately, you could end up paying a heavy price tomorrow morning. The only surefire way to prevent a hangover is by abstaining from alcohol, but that doesn't mean you can't give it your best shot at prevention. {relatedarticles}For starters, it's good to practice moderation. The last thing you want to do is put yourself at risk for alcohol poisoning. Know when to say when. Throughout the evening be sure to graze so that you have a full stomach which slows down the absorption of alcohol and gives the body more time to metabolize toxins. Be leery of mixing different types of alcohol. If you're a fan of fruity drinks, go slow and keep of track of how much you're drinking. It's easy to overindulge in margaritas, pina coladas and other tropical beverages.
Dark liquors can also send you heading for a hangover as they contain more congeners. Red wine is another drink to avoid in excess. Now that you know what to avoid, here's what you should do to stay a step ahead of that hangover. {relatedarticles}Take a B-Complex vitamin with vitamin C before and after you drink. A deficiency in B1 makes it harder for the body to break down alcohol. Don't take pain relievers with alcohol as it can be harmful to the liver. The following day you can take one to relieve some of those hangover symptoms. Set a limit and stick to it. This number will be different for everyone. Some people adhere to the one drink per hour rule. Decide what works for you. Once you've reached the set number of drinks, switch to water. Of course, you should always remember the golden rule of drinking -- Beer before liquor, never sicker. Liquor before beer, never fear.