Trim Down Tip

Cheers!

It's that time of year.  The holidays have arrived and your social calendar is probably filling up quickly.  Whether it be a family dinner or holiday cocktail party there will be lots going on through the New Year.  This is the time of year when diets go out the window--and not only for those of you who are actually on a diet.  I try to follow a healthy lifestyle throughout the year and this is hands down the most difficult time to maintain some semblance of health (second runner-up...birthday season!). 

Choosing between the various appetizers and desserts is hard enough.  Should you have the spring rolls or the cheesecake...or both?  Chances are you have thought about health when it comes to food over the holidays.  But, did you ever stop to think about which drink you should pick up and which you should stay far far away from?

The beverage you choose may just be the key to avoiding the dreaded holiday weight gain.  Beer, wine, juice, egg nog--they all have calories and those calories double and triple with each additional drink.  Again, I'm not trying to be a downer-just making sure you are prepared!  Here is a list of popular drinks during the holidays and their calorie content:

Beer: regular, 12 oz bottle - 145 calorie
Beer: light, 12 oz bottle - 110 calories
Champagne: 4 oz - 80 calories
Eggnog: 1/2 cup - 200 calories
Eggnog: light, 1/2 cup - 120 calories
Hard Liquor: 1 shot - 100 calories
Martini: plain, 2.2 oz - 135 calories
Mimosa: 8 oz - 130 calories
Seltzer/Sparkling Water: 8 oz - 0 calories
Soda: 8 oz - 100 calories
Tonic Water: 8 oz - 85 calories
Water: 8 oz - 0 calories
Wine: 4 oz - 100 calories

I think I covered most of the big ones.  A 1/2 cup of egg nog isn't that much.  So even just a cup adds up to 400 calories before you have even eaten anything!  I'm a big advocate of not drinking your calories.  Don't get me wrong...I love a good cocktail...but not when I'm faced with a giant smorgasboard of food. 

A few hints.  If you like a mixed drink, try mixing with diet soda or seltzer water.  That way you save yourself 100 calories per drink.  I really like wine spritzers (half wine half soda water).  Opt for low-cal versions of egg nog and diet juices.  Also, try alternating between a cocktail and water (or any zero-calorie) drink.  This kills two birds with one stone--1) you save calories 2) you don't make a fool out of yourself by getting drunk at your work Christmas party. 

Remember--there is nothing wrong with imbibing during the holidays.  Just be prepared with facts and you will be less likely to take in excess calories and a lot happier when the New Year rolls around!



Email me at nicolesilva@weightthatsit.com