The deathly combination of head pounding, stomach churning and fuzzy memories from the previous night has caused many to pledge a life away from Green Street after dark. Unfortunately, the base of the Red Lion DJ booth and the golden stairway to Brothers keeps students coming back.

While some of my friends pop out of bed, chug a Gatorade and skip to class after a night on the town, I shove last night’s Beef Stand leftovers onto my breakfast plate and hope the grease will ease my headache.

Over time, I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade to keep hangovers at bay. Studies have shown that many foods can help prevent and cure hangovers, meaning Tuesday nights at Legends will no longer keep us from our Wednesday 8 a.m.

Though a breakfast of asparagus sprouts may not seem appetizing to McDonald’s breakfast lovers like myself, it can help to alleviate a hangover. According to a study in the Journal of Food Science, asparagus contains amino acids that protect the liver against toxins like alcohol.

But don’t fret, my fellow McDonald’s fans, because other foods with amino acids include eggs, meat and poultry, so your favorite breakfast might actually do the trick.

Alcohol and an empty stomach don’t mix. Stock up with a big dinner before going out and get your friends together for a protein-rich breakfast when you wake up. Next: hope the food overpowers the alcohol toxins so you start to feel better.

There are also a few things you can do while drinking to lessen the morning pain.

Tobacco has been found to worsen hangovers, adding to the list of reasons to keep away from cigarettes. The “why” is still unclear, but according to the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, nicotine and alcohol are connected to the brain in similar ways.

This can possibly explain why heavy drinking combined with tobacco intake can make for an especially awful hangover.

There are also scientific reasons why whiskey drinkers feel the effects of a hangover more strongly than those who choose clear alcohols like vodka.

A study titled Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research conducted by Jonathan Howland suggests that hard alcohol with a darker hue can create a stronger hangover.

Brown liquids like bourbon and whiskey contain higher amounts of congeners, which are created during the fermentation process and worsen the chance of a hangover. Drinking vodka, rum or gin can be better for your liver and your morning after.

Sometimes popping a few Tylenol and a glass of water might seem like enough to tough out a rough morning, but the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs explains that hangovers affect your attention and reaction time.

While college is undeniably fun, overindulging can keep us from being our best the next day. By changing diet and alcohol choices, students can increase their productivity and maybe survive to see another night out.