ORLANDO, Fla. – Nutritionists recommend not drinking your calories when trying to lose weight. Sometimes a night out in the town can cost you more calories than dinner. We tell you how to enjoy a cocktail without guilt.
Holidays, birthdays and even finishing a major project at work can be reasons to celebrate with a drink. Unfortunately, they can sometimes cause more harm than good when it comes to your diet, especially if you drink more than one.
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Cocktails might not seem to be harmful to your diet, but just one long island iced tea contains more calories than a cheeseburger. And drinking one margarita compares to eating one slice of pizza.
Most cocktails are high in calories due to the ingredients that go in the mixture rather than the alcohol itself. Simple syrup is an example is high both in calories and sugar. Create your own healthy one at home by dissolving one part stevia in four parts boiling water. Let it cool and use it on your favorite drinks.
And don’t be afraid to customize your cocktail when you’re out and about. Just as you can order dressing on the side for your salad, you can ask for a different mixer in your drink. Instead of ordering vodka with cranberry, try ordering it with sparkling water, natural lemon or lime juice. They are low in calories and will do the same job. For some sweetness, add Splenda.
Lastly, add fresh herbs like basil, mint and jalapeños for better nutrition stats and to spice up flavor.
When trying to lose weight, it is important to have a game plan before heading to a party or bar. Decide how many drinks you will have throughout the night and be sure to cut out calories earlier in the day. Most importantly, be aware of your personal limits, and don’t drink and drive.
