What to Drink, What Not to Drink
Not to Drink:
Martinis
A fruity martini is bad news. Lemon drops, appletinis or cosmopolitans — their sweet taste is no good for the hips and gut.
“Most martinis have 2 to 5 ounces of liquor, and the sugary syrups
they’re made with can add up to more than 800 calories in one
drink,” says Tara Gidus, M.S., R.D., of the American Dietetic
Association.
Margaritas
What could be more festive than a margarita — frozen or on the rocks? A regular margarita bright with flavor — and sugars — has about 400 calories. Couple it with a heavy Mexican meal and you have a recipe for diet disaster
To drink:
Champagne
Ringing in the new year with a traditional toast of this bubbly beverage won’t wreak havoc on your waistline. At 100 calories a flute, you can drink to your weight-loss resolution without feeling guilty.
Wine Spritzer
Ease into the holiday spirit with this light beverage. Wine spritzers are half wine and half club soda. With three ounces of wine and three ounces of club soda, wine spritzers top out at about 60 calories and zero grams of fat.
Red Wine
Recent studies show the benefits of drinking a glass of red wine for your health. Opt for red and you’ll get a healthy dose of disease-fighting flavonols and age-defying reservatrol too. A glass of wine typically weighs in at 100 calories.
Beer
Light or regular, a bottle of beer is a much better option than most cocktails. The drink has a bad reputation associated with the “beer belly.” But the calories in beer versus a martini might shock the most diligent dieter. Regular beer has 150 calories to the bottle, while light has about 100.
Vodka (or Gin) & Soda
Sparkly mixers — like gin and tonic or a vodka cooler — can keep you light and merry at the same times. Most mixers with 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits and diet tonic or
club soda have less than 100 calories and no fat. Top this refreshing drink with a wedge of lime or fruit.
Thanks, Shandra!
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