As the end of the year draws closer, the season of social gatherings swings into place. If you want to be the star of every party you attend, you will need these quick cues to celebrate in style. We’ve compiled a list of foods (and drinks) that will help to keep your party spirit in tip-top shape.

During the day
First things first - the day you have a big bash to attend, you need to watch what you eat. "Cut out a heavy carb-rich lunch, as it is sure to make you sluggish by the time you’re ready to put on your dancing shoes," says Dr Shikha Sharma, dietician, Clinic de Rejuvenation, Delhi. Avoid white rice, large helpings of potato, bread or ‘rotis’ and stick to foods like sprouts or fruit platters. "Eating such foods has an added benefit. Apart from giving you a much-needed energy boost, these items also help to forestall pre-party bloat and keep your tummy tucked in," adds Dr Sharma.

It is also a good idea to eat mini meals through the day, if you have to party hard at night. A steady supply of nourishment prevents the slump brought on by low blood sugar. Plan to eat about every three hours to stay on track.

At the party
So you’re dressed to kill and ready to dance the night away? Great, but have you decided on what to drink and what to eat at the party to keep you energy meter soaring upwards instead of flagging after a couple of hours? Suggests Dr Sharma, "Drink alcohol in moderation. Wines and champagne are certainly a better pick than hard drinks like whiskey and rum. Also, don’t use aerated drinks as mixers for hard drinks. Dilute your drinks with soda water or sugar-free cold drinks and have one glass of water for every alcoholic drink you down to stay hydrated and to avoid a full-blown post-party hangover."

Ranvir Singh, corporate head at NOIDA’s rocking nightclub Elevate, adds: "White alcohol is certainly better than dark because it is lighter and easier on the system. Also, avoid cocktails with juices, etc because too many end up making you feel loaded. Instead, if you want to stay fresh and buzzy throughout the night, opt for a cocktail like the Brazilian Caipiroska, which has vodka, sugar, crushed ice and lime juice. Just add some mint leaves and you will find that this drink has an even better zing."

Tired after a long day at work and don’t want to drink alcohol? Then you could try and kick-start your party nights with an energy drink like Red Bull, Gatorade or Effect. "A lot of young people nowadays prefer drinks like Red Bull rather than alcohol, especially on nights when we have a lot of events and dancing involved," says Ranvir. These concoctions made from caffeine, herbs, vitamins and amino acids can work wonders for sagging spirits, and the best part is that you will have no hangover the next day. However, never mix energy drinks with alcohol because the combo can leave you feeling worse than when you started out.

Also, remember that energy drinks are very high in calories. "Since most energy drinks contain caffeine, what they are actually doing is stimulating your nerves rather than giving you energy. The high they give you can also be followed by an energy slump," warns Dr Sharma.

For those of you who are health conscious and hate downing aerated drinks or alcohol, the option is to choose from a range of fruit juices like Dabur’s Real, Real Active and Tropicana or even fitness waters like Catch, which are available in many flavours.These fitness waters contain added vitamins and minerals and flavours, and have less carbohydrates than energy drinks.

Make sure you have ‘pick-me-up’ snacks on hand. Healthy, well-planned snacks can add zip when you’re zapped. Smart snacks are dense with nutrients, especially carbohydrates, and light on calories (no more than 250 each). Try veggie sticks such as bell peppers, cucumbers and celery sticks, with a low-fat yoghurt dip; whole wheat crackers; spicy ‘bhel’, boiled potato ‘chaat’, or pita bread with hummus when you are out partying, instead of digging only into potato chips, over-salted peanuts and fried munchies. "Tandoori non-vegetarian snacks like chicken ‘tikka’ are definitely better than fried snacks like ‘pakoras’," says Dr Sharma. Drink water throughout the party. "Many people forget to top up on water during a party, specially during the winter months, and this can lead to a teribble hangover," she adds.

After the bash
If you do end up suffering from a hangover, don’t fret. "Just sip some jasmine, chamomile or lavender tea," advises Dr Sharma. "It will help your kidneys to detox and flush out the alcohol. You should also eat more citrus fruits the morning after because they help the liver to detoxify." There are also several aids available in the market to help you ease your hangover, but choose carefully.