Just because it’s the festive season doesn’t mean you need to go overboard on every occasion. If you’re looking to cut down on your calorie intake and eat healthily, there’s no need to let the odd alcoholic beverages spoil your diet. With some smart substitutions and a little bit of planning, you can still party in style without the guilt (or the hangover the next day)! We’ve shared our top tips for drinking while on a diet, so you can enjoy your favourite tipple without piling on the pounds. Just read on to learn more about these drinking tips...
Opt for a non-alcoholic alternative
Christmas is a time to indulge in fizz, however we can soon get bombarded with too much prosecco or champagne. While you might still want the taste and experience of drinking your favourite bubbles, you don’t necessarily want to turn up hungover for your next work function, event or family brunch. To combat this, give an alternative such as sparkling tea non alcoholic a go. These give you the same feeling of drinking a glass of champers while tasting delicious and being devoid of alcohol. It’s a fantastic way to get in the spirit but wake up with a clear head!
Cut down the calories with slimline options
While it might sound obvious, substituting sugary mixers like Coke or tonic for slimline versions can drastically cut down the number of calories in your drink. Simply swapping the mixer in your rum and Coke for a diet option could skim as much as 39 grams sugar off your drink — that’s the equivalent of over 9 teaspoons of sugar (Livestrong).
The same goes for cocktails, which can contain more sugar than some desserts, so avoid anything that contains sugary or creamy liqueurs. Instead, opt for simpler cocktails using fruit juice, clear spirits, and citrus garnishes.
Drink more water during nights out
If you’re heading out to the pub in December, try to stay hydrated by making every other drink you order a glass of water. This way, you’ll be drinking your alcoholic beverages more slowly, and therefore consume fewer calories over the course of the evening. Drinking more slowly will give your body more time to metabolise the alcohol, helping you to stay in control. Drinking plenty of water will also help to counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol that cause hangovers, meaning you’ll wake up feeling fresher, too. – A must in our list of drinking tips.
Adding plenty of ice to cocktails and other alcoholic beverages is also a great way to dilute the alcohol content and will make them last longer. You could even try adding sparkling water or soda to wine to make a low-calorie spritzer.
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Pre-plan your post drink meal
Even though alcohol is packed with empty calories, it still acts as an appetite stimulant, making us want to reach for a greasy takeaway at the end of the night. So, instead of indulging your craving for a pizza or burger, try planning a healthy meal to eat after your trip to the pub. Scope out a few nearby takeaways or restaurants that serve low-calorie options, so you can grab a bite to eat without the guilt.
If you really want to cut back on the calories, try making a diet friendly healthy snack for when you get home. You’re much more likely to eat something low-calorie if it’s already prepared when you get in, so have some hummus with chopped veggies or a bowl of lightly seasoned popcorn ready to satisfy your craving for a midnight feast.
Make yours a sparkling wine
A standard glass of wine contains 159 calories, which is roughly the same as a doughnut (Drinkaware). If wine is your tipple of choice, consider switching to a sparkling variety, like Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava. Not only do they taste delicious, but they’re served in smaller glasses, with a standard glass of sparkling wine measuring just 125ml. That means that the average serving of champagne contains just 89 calories per glass which is diet friendly.
Sparkling wine also tends to have a lower percentage of alcohol by volume: for instance, Prosecco tends to be about 11% ABV, making it a brilliant diet alternative to red and white wines, which normally have an ABV closer to 13-15%. Just make sure your tipple of choice is labeled Brut or Brut Nature, as these varieties will have the least sugar.
