Eat well to make the most of your Go Sober
By Anne Finch on
Taking a break from booze is absolutely one of the best things you can do for your health. Not only are you giving your liver (and other organs!) a break, but you can expect these benefits:
- Better sleep – alcohol might help us fall asleep, but it leads to poorer quality sleep
- Less bar snacks – drinking stirs hunger, and can also lead to sub-optimal food choices (I’m looking at you late-night fried chicken)
- Less hangover remedies – greasy fry-ups, sugary drinks and fast food are pretty common on Sunday morning, meaning the effects of your weekend drag on
- More movement – not being glued to the couch recovering means more opportunities to get out and about
If you’re looking for even more ways to treat your body right, we’ve got some...
Appletiser mocktails
By Appletiser on
Our Headline Partner Appletiser is here to help you Go Sober for October with these thirst-quenching mocktail recipes. Give these quick and easy recipes a try and enjoy the refreshing flavours as well as a clear head the next morning.
The Appletiser Cinnamon Spice
- 200ml cloudy apple juice
- 200ml Appletiser
- 2 cinnamon sticks (or 12.5ml sugar syrup and a teaspoon of cinnamon syrup)
- 1 red apple
- 1 orange
Method
- Chop the apple into small slices
- Slice the orange until you have strips of the orange peel
- Add all the ingredients into a pot on the stove and cover
- Simmer on low heat for ten minutes (until gently boiling)
- Stir well and decant into a pewter mug
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick
Garnish
- Cinnamon stick
The Appletiser Bramble
- 20ml...
How to prepare for your sober October
By Go Sober Team on
No one said that being a Soberhero was easy. Only the bravest and most fearless heroes will see it through to November without any alcohol touching their lips. You’re doing something amazing – and we salute you.
In preparation for your Go Sober:
-
In September try to slow down your alcohol intake to half of what you would normally consume. - Plan your social calendar. If you have an event that you really want to drink at, ask someone to buy you a Golden Ticket.
- Have a substitute for your usual weekend drinks. Try a mocktail or juice instead.
- Plan your meals and your shopping list.
- Remove all temptation from your house. Ask a friend or family member to mind your alcohol for you during October.
- Prepare your mind as well as your body...
Managing Sugar Cravings This Sober October
By Peter Rule on
We all seek the taste of sweet foods naturally in our diet, however it can be easy to crave excess high sugar foods for many varied reasons.
We have 5 basic recognised tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami (savoury) however we can become imbalanced in our food choices due to stress, low energy, eating on the run, looking for psychological reward or treat or nutritional deficiencies, just to name a few.
Refined sugar is addictive due to the release of dopamine from the brain. Dopamine is one of the principal neurotransmitters involved in creating substance dependence on things like alcohol. The excess dopamine that is produced gives rise to powerful feelings of pleasure; however these excess levels also take a long-term toll on...
Tips on cutting down after your Sober October
By Go Sober Team on
Carry on your good work from October through to November and beyond. Here are some practical tips if you want to try to cut down on the amount of alcohol you’re drinking.
Quench your thirst!
Before you start drinking, quench your thirst with a non-alcoholic drink
Drink slowly
Have a drink of water with your alcoholic drink
Make every second drink non-alcoholic
Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. This will help space out your drinks.
Eat when you drink
Eat food when you’re drinking, but avoid salty foods – these make you thirstier.
Dilute your alcoholic drinks
For example, a shandy (beer with lemonade) or a wine spritzer (wine with mineral water).
Treat yourself
Alcohol isn’t the only thing you can indulge in. Why not try a...
4 health habits to make the most of Go Sober
By Kirsty Welsh on
You’ve committed to a month without booze. That’s pretty huge! Here’s a virtual-fist pump from me to you!
It makes sense to maximise the next 31 days in terms of your own health gains; without alcohol in your body you can think clearer, move easier and you are creating a far more receptive environment for nutrient absorption, detoxing and cleansing. All these things move you closer to looking and feeling your best and most youthful.
Think of it as a 31-day health challenge, where you can actually do all the things you’ve been meaning to for so long!
I suggest that for the next 31 days you make healthier eating choices in general, but, and keep an open mind here… Why not try some lifestyle changes are directed at the mind-body connection?...
Mocktails for Go Sober
By Go Sober Team on
Giving up the booze doesn’t have to be boring – we’re not talking about sipping kale juice smoothies here. Think of it less of an exercise in detoxing and more of an opportunity to experiment with great flavour combination – without the unpleasantness of the morning after.
‘Mocktails’ have always been somewhat of the cocktail's frumpy sister, but whereas the cocktail can easily hide behind a boozy kick, with non-alcoholic concoctions flavour is king. Not only are they a healthier alternative to their alcoholic siblings, but they’re just as much a treat for the weekend.
We’ve cherry picked a selection of tasty recipes below, lovingly created by Georgi Radev – resident mixologist of one of London’s finest cocktail bars, Mahiki.
Macmillan...
Top tips for detoxing for Go Sober
By Melissa Ingram on
The goal of detoxing is to cleanse the body of toxins however the truth is our body is detoxing all the time, via our skin, liver, kidneys and bowel. Even if you’re very health conscious, detoxifying once in a while is still important to give your body a rest from chemicals.
While abstaining from alcohol during Go Sober, try not to overdo it on other stimulants. Why not try a complete detox and cut back or cut out altogether things like caffeine, cigarettes and sugar and give yourself the best possible chance of a healthy October!
Some dos and don’ts when detoxing
- A slow approach is advised and more likely to result in a lifestyle change rather than a quick fix.
- Don’t starve yourself – being hungry simply makes the experience...
Nutritious Breakfast Options
By Rosie Mansfield on
As Go Sober kicks off, now is the perfect opportunity to replenish your body and reap the benefits of being hangover-free. These healthy breakfast options are a tasty and nutritious alternative to the traditional fry-up and will keep you energised for an active weekend.
Poached Eggs & Avocado
Poaching is the healthiest way to cook eggs, which contain high quality protein to help keep you fuller for longer. Avocados are loaded with heart-healthy fatty acids, and can even help lower cholesterol levels.
Oats & Banana
Bananas are a time-saving breakie option which will give you a boost of energy due to the high levels of potassium levels. Use it as a topping for wholegrain oats packed full of b-vitamins and you’ll instantly feel...
