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 By
Alicia Tamayo
Summer is here and what better way to cool off than with
a cold, refreshing cocktail!? Problem is, before you know
it you can consume hundreds, if not thousands of calories
from alcoholic beverages. Obviously it all depends on how
much you drink, but also what you drink.
Some of the most popular cocktails are also the worst for
you! Take a look at the calorie contents of these popular
drinks...(These are just average sizes and calories. Some
restaurants offer massive sizes, extra mix-ins, and even extra
alcohol, which can all add up to nearly 1000 calories!)
Long Island iced tea (8 oz): ~700
White Russian (2 oz vodka, 1.5 oz coffee liqueur, 1.5 oz cream):
~400
Chocolate martini: (6 oz): ~500
Margarita (8 oz): ~300
Pina Colada (6 oz): ~400 calories
Mai Tai (6 oz) : ~350
Sip on a few of these and before you know it you could have
gulped down anywhere near 1500 calories or so! And let's not
forget the appetite increasing side-effect of alcohol, or
the lowered inhibitions. Before you know it that plate of
nachos is sounding pretty good!
Maybe you're thinking "so what - it's okay to eat nachos
and have a cocktail here and there", and yes you might
be right. But far too many of us endulge in a cocktail or
two more than just here and there, especially in the summer.
And that extra 1500 calories just once a week can add up to
a 1 pound weight gain every 2 weeks! Making simple tweaks
to your cocktail hour can make all the difference to your
waistline. Check out the tips below!
WebMD's
5 Tips to Curb Alcohol Calories
1. Alternate alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks to save calories.
The savvy dieter finishes one cocktail, glass of wine or beer,
then has a "mocktail" -- a nonalcoholic, preferably
zero-calorie beverage (like sparkling water with a lime) that
looks like the real thing. This strategy not only reduces
the risk of over-consuming calories and alcohol, but it also
helps you stay hydrated so your head will thank you in the
morning!
2. Choose wine, light beer, or simple cocktails made with
low-calorie mixers. Just as you might order your salad with
dressing on the side, don't be shy about asking for your cocktail
your way. "You can save 100 calories if you have a diet
soda as your mixer," says American Dietetic Association
spokesperson Dawn Blatner-Jackson, MS, RD.
Mix cocktails with water, club soda, low calorie juices,
artificial sweeteners or sugar-free syrups for easy calorie
savings.
Some mixers that won't pack on the pounds include:
Diet soda or diet tonic: 0 calories
Club Soda: 0 calories
Orange juice (6 oz): 84 calories
Light orange juice (8 oz): 50 calories
Light cranberry juice (8 oz): 40 calories
Light lemonade (8 oz): 5 calories
Coffee, tea: 0 calories
Baja Bob's sugar-free margarita or sweet 'n' sour mix: 0 calories
Lemon or lime juice (1/2 oz): 10 calories
DaVinci or Torani's sugar-free syrups: 0
3. Skip the mixer altogether. Try ordering your favorite
spirit or one of the new flavored liquors on the rocks. "Infused
vodkas are very popular because they are not sweetened but
infused with flavors, from jalapeno to peach, without adding
any extra calories," says O'Neil.
4. Dilute your drink. Another option is diluting your drink
with club soda or sparkling water. Wine spritzers are a low-calorie
standby. And if you usually drink vodka and cranberry, for
example, try it with club soda, just a splash of cranberry
juice, and a squeeze of lime. Garnish with a wedge of citrus
or pineapple to add flavor and few calories.
5. Have a game plan. Before heading out to the cocktail party
or happy hour, make sure you have a game plan. Decide in advance
the number of cocktails you are going to drink and cut back
on calories during the day in anticipation. But eat a light
snack before you go so you won't get tipsy with the first
drink and it will be less tempted to dive into the food. Always
be aware of your own personal limits. Don't drink too much,
and, of course, don't drink and drive.
So, if you're really watching your weight, you're best bet
is to order a vodka with diet coke or club soda - not tonic.
People often make the mistake of ordering tonic instead of
club soda, thinking it has no calories. In reality, a gin
and tonic has nearly 200 calories.
There are also a lot of refreshing, yummy cocktails you can
make at home that won't wreck your diet! There are many low
calorie mixers out there that you can use to make a lighter
version of your favorite cocktail. Crystal Light makes a margarita
mix, as well as new appletini and mojito flavors. BajaBobs.com
has tons of different mixes from margaritas to mudslides!
In the mean time, here are a few recipes to whip up at home!
Mojito
Fresco
2 large limes, cut into pieces (reserve one piece)
2 cups water
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups water
1/4 to 1/2 cup light rum
Sugar
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
Ice cubes
Quartered limes and/or mint leaves (optional)
Directions
1. In a blender combine lime pieces, 2 cups water, and 2/3
cup sugar. Cover and blend about 30 seconds or until limes
are chopped; do not puree. Strain through a sieve into a large
pitcher. Mix in 2 cups additional water. Cover and chill for
1 to 12 hours.
2. Stir rum into lime mixture. Moisten the rims of 8 glasses
with the reserved lime piece; dip rims in sugar. Divide mint
among glasses. Use a wooden spoon to press mint into the bottom
of each glass; press firmly to release flavor. Fill glasses
with ice cubes. Pour chilled lime mixture over ice and mint
leaves. If desired, add extra quartered limes and/or mint
leaves.
Makes: 8 servings. Per serving: 95 calories
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