Going out and having fun with friends can sometimes include drinking. From hosting and traveling, I feel like I’ve learned to make “healthy” choices when it comes to alcohol and mixed drinks. Alcohol is high in calories and low in nutrients. If you’re going out a lot and not noticing any changes from working out/healthy eating, drinking could be to blame! Not to mention, we usually don’t make the best food choices during a night out or a hungover morning…we’ve all been there haha. A night of drinking can turn into 24 hours of unhealthy eating!
One serving of alcohol—liquor, wine, beer—is roughly 100 calories, but what really ups the calorie count is the simple syrups and sugary drink mixes. See below for low cal drink swaps:
1- Tequila with fresh lime juice
This is my go-to! A margarita can contain anywhere from 160 to 400 calories depending on how it’s made. Drinking tequila with a squeeze of fresh lime juice, is the lowest cal option and you probably won’t need too many to feel it…haha.
2- Vodka soda with lemon
If tequila is not your alcohol of choice, try a vodka soda with lemon. Sipping on a liquor-based drink can help you consume less overall, because a little goes a long way. Since alcohol tends to dehydrate you, using soda water is a bonus.
3- Mojito minus the syrup
Mojitos normally contain about 168 calories, ditching the simple syrup can save you anywhere from 40 to 70 calories per cocktail. Ask the bartender to skip the syrup and add more mint and lime juice instead.
4- Rosé
A glass of rosé can be one of the easiest low-calorie drinks to order—as long as it’s not too sweet. Try an organic wine free of additives and added sugars.
5- Champagne
Make sure it’s brut or extra-brut champagne which means “dry,” so there's naturally less sugar in them.
XO
Joie