Food pairing recommendations are a big part of enjoying a proper dining experience. To start with, proper food pairing can help amplify or supplement a meal’s flavoring. However, food pairing recommendations are also essential when it comes to mitigating the effects of alcohol, especially if the patron is a heavy consumer.
How to Slow Alcohol Absorption
Foods that are high in protein, fat and fiber are very helpful when it comes to slowing the absorption of alcohol. As an example, cheeses, meats and nuts take more time to absorb and this means that the alcohol will metabolize more slowly. If a heavy consumer is at your table, perhaps recommend a high-protein or high fiber plate for pairing.
Complex carbohydrates can also play a big part when it comes to proper pairing. Foods such as whole grains, pasta and starchy vegetables allow for a slow release of glucose. This can help to balance the body’s chemistry and sugar levels which offsets energy crashes or mood swings that are brought on by over-consuming alcohol.
Hydration is More Important Than You Think
Alcohol dehydrates the body. Anyone who wakes up the next morning after a night of imbibing can account for this firsthand. For a properly balanced meal, hydration is strongly recommended.
How can you balance out the drying effects of alcohol? Focus on pairing those drinks with soups or dishes that feature a high-water content. Fruits and salads are also helpful in this regard. A properly balanced meal can counteract or negate the dehydrating properties of booze. Always providing a glass of water with an alcoholic beverage is recommended, as well.
Watch Out for Hypoglycemia
Alcohol does more than dehydrate your body. It also lowers your blood sugar level. This can cause weakness, dizziness and confusion. When serving alcohol, consider pairing foods that will help maintain blood sugar levels throughout the evening.
Counteract Alcohol’s Effect on the Liver
The liver is ground zero for heavy drinkers. While it’s the liver’s job to metabolize alcohol, it can only metabolize so much at a time. The more one drinks, the less one’s liver can process. The liver is most commonly the focus when it pertains to health issues down the road.
An idea for pairing in this regard is to recommend foods that are rich in antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables again come to mind as they promote liver health by counteracting some of the stress placed on the organ because of alcohol consumption.
Proper Pairing Means a More Flavorful Meal and a More Favorable Diner
Food pairing is a great way to help a diner fully experience the quality and taste of his or her dinner. However, it’s also important when it comes to slowing or mitigating the effects of alcohol on a patron who might be over-imbibing. A properly trained staff knows how to monitor alcohol use and prevent over-serving but food pairing can also play a big part when it comes to keeping your patrons happy and in check.
Here at American Course Academy, we train industry servers to understand the effects of over-serving and how to prevent it from happening. If either you or your staff is interested in learning more about food pairing and alcohol awareness training, we have several alcohol server training courses including TABC training and Utah alcohol server training here.
