LORRAINE KEANE

TV presenter, author

I try to stay within the advised weekly drink limit, so although I’d be very happy to have a couple of glasses of wine with my dinner every night, I try to stick to one or none on weekday nights. Some food just tastes nicer with a glass of wine in my opinion. At the weekend I would have three or four glasses over dinner with family and friends.

I really enjoy being able to have a drink — it’s a social thing as well as something that complements food. Curry and beer; white wine with fish; red wine with beef or lamb. Everything tastes better with a glass of wine. It can also be a relaxant after a busy day.

I believe our drink culture is changing. I think we are becoming more European in our approach to drink. It’s about moderation. Our generation should be leading by example. It worries me that it is still acceptable for a teenager to drink in this country way before the legal age limit: it’s like their rite of passage.

Parents need to realise that their children’s relationship with alcohol is influenced by what they see at home. I certainly don’t do the binge-drinking thing that we did in our late teens and 20s.

I never get drunk, but I would get merry on occasions. Alcohol, when drunk responsibly, is lovely, but I hate losing control, so I’ll switch to water once I know I have reached my limit.

Yes, I have woken up feeling groggy, usually caused by not enough sleep, not enough food, not enough water, mixing drinks, cheap wine. Or all of the above — ouch! What I should do for a hangover: Water, miso soup, fruit smoothie or juice. What I actually do: eggs Florentine, eggs and bacon, eggs and Ballymaloe relish — eggs, basically!

My favourite drinks would be Champagne and white wine.