LIGHT COCKTAILS

How to Survive Happy Hour without Consuming a Ton of Calories!

by Hungry-Girl

FIRST AND FOREMOST, moderation is key! You don't need 8 shots to have a good time, we promise! Pace yourself, and try to keep track of what you are consuming.

COCKTAILS

We'll start with these because there's SO much to cover! Some cocktails (like a Long Island Iced Tea or a Mai Tai, for example) can pack 400 - 800 calories in a standard 12-ounce glass! Be aware that juices, non-diet sodas, and tonic water (YES, we said tonic water) can add A LOT of calories to your drink. Most hard alcohol (rum, vodka, tequila, whiskey, etc.) runs about 100 calories per shot (1 1/2 ounces). For a tasty yet low-cal cocktail, order a shot of vodka (maybe flavored stuff) with club soda and a splash of fruit juice. That only clocks in art around 120 calories. When using seltzer or diet soda as a mixer, the possibilities are endless!

BEER

If you're a beer lover, stick to the light stuff. It has about 100 calories per 12 ounces as opposed to the 150 - 200 in regular beer. Another tip: Order bottled beer to keep portions in control. Not a fan of light beer? Grab a Guinness. At 125 calories a bottle, this super-filling beer may be the only drink you need.

WINE

When drinking wine, keep in mind that one 5-oz. serving equals about 100 calories.
(Heads up! Most glasses are larger than 5 ounces.) Red wine is super-high in
antioxidants, so keep that in mind.

FROZEN/BLENDED DRINKS

Completely steer clear of frozen drinks. Pina coladas, daiquiris, and frozen margaritas are CRAZY-HIGH in calories. Some can clock in at over 1,000 calories with WAY too much sugar! Just DON'T do it.

*** THREE IMPORTANT TIPS!!! ***

EAT! But beware of greasy bar food. Either have a healthy, protein-packed meal/snack beforehand at home, or make a health-conscious choice if eating out. Not only is it bad to drink on an empty stomach, but it's also dangerous to order while intoxicated -- those chicken fingers with ranch dressing will only look MORE tempting!

DRINK WATER! For every alcoholic drink you have, follow it with a glass of water. Not
only will this keep you hydrated, but it will also help keep you feeling full to avoid ordering
extra cocktails just for the heck of it.

BE SMART! We're gonna morph into "Hungry Mom" for a second and tell you things that YOU KNOW. (It never hurts to reinforce!) Don't drive under the influence. Don't drink if you are underage. Always keep an eye on your beverage. And don't be surprised if the Robert Pattinson look-alike you gave your number to the night before ends up resembling Bela Lugosi in the light of day.