3 COCKTAILS THAT WON’T SABOTAGE YOUR DIET

A big welcome to all of our new friends visiting us from HelloBeautiful.com!

Today’s article is about making the best decisions when drinking alcoholic beverages. Ideally, none of us should be drinking at all, but assuming you’re 21+ and enjoy having a drink or two, we all know that’s not always realistic!

For those of us who enjoy a good cocktail, it can be difficult to avoid alcohol in social situations. Many events are centered around drinking, so unless you have the willpower, it’s unrealistic to attend a party and expect to sip water and diet soda all night. Moderation is definitely the key, but below are a few smarter suggestions should you choose to imbibe:

Red Wine
Many of us have heard of the heart healthy benefits of red wine, but according to the National Cancer Institute the antioxidants in red wine may actually aid in cancer prevention! The NCI also notes that the over-consumption of alcohol can actually increase the risk of cancer, so this isn’t a license to guzzle a glass with every meal. The American Heart Association recommends no more than two glasses a day for men, and no more than one glass a day for women.

Skinnygirl Margaritas
Hats off to natural foods chef Bethenny Frankel (Bethenny Ever After) for branding a practical 100 calorie margarita recipe. The Skinnygirl™ Margarita can be made at home, or purchased in stores.

If you can’t locate a bottle in your area, here is the recipe straight from her website:

2 oz of Clear Premium Tequila (count 1, 2 while you pour, no need for measuring)
Tiny splash of Orange Liquor
Juice of 4 Fresh Lime Wedges

Vodka
The great thing about vodka is that it has no carbs. The bad thing about it, is it’s still alcohol, and there’s nothing beneficial about consuming the empty calories. But if you must have a drink or two while out, a classic martini is less than 200 calories. My personal favorite though is vodka with freshly squeezed limes, and for a mixer try the vodka with freshly squeezed limes and Sprite Zero or Diet 7Up.

To keep yourself from getting too inebriated, you should sip—not slam your drinks, and alternate each cocktail with a glass of water. Cheers!