As college girls, we live for the weekends. The weekends symbolize a time of celebration for a full week of classes, exams, and pulling all-nighters for all those chemistry classes… or something like that, right? With the weekends also comes drinking… And hundreds of empty calories consumed on alcoholic beverages.
The more drinks you consume the less you’re probably worried about the kind of alcohol you’re drinking, but believe it or not, making better drink choices can help eliminate that gross beer gut or vodka-induced stomachache that next morning. A shot of vodka has close to 100 calories per 1.5 ounce, and one beer alone can have up to 140. There’s a reason they don’t put nutritional facts on alcoholic beverages.
Good news! You no longer have to feel guilty about what you’re drinking, or about consuming those empty calorie drinks. Here are a few alternatives to swap out your usuals with these low-calorie, yet tasty drinks.
1) Vodka/Gin and Diet Soda: While fruit juice mixers, soda and tonic all contain loads of sugar, replacing your mixer with the diet version (I.e. Diet Sprite, Diet Tonic or even half cranberry, half tonic) will reduce your calorie count by over half. Spruce it up with a lime or lemon for some added flavor!
2) Tequila shot: Everyone has a horror story involving tequila, which makes it one of those “forbidden drinks.” You know your night is going in a complete 180 when someone mentions the tequila, yet this IS a low calorie option when at the bar. Dark alcohols in general tend to be less sugary than clear alcoholic beverages.
3) Rum and diet coke: This drink, especially spruced up with a few limes, is both refreshing and virtually guilt free at just 65 calories. Remember to always order diet soda with any alcoholic beverage to nix all the sugar!
4) Light beer: They don’t call it a ‘beer gut’ for nothing. Beer is one of the most filling, calorie-filled drinks you can order at a bar. But have no fear, ordering light beers is a great alternative. Miller 64, Natural Light (believe it or not) and Bud or Miller Light should be swapped out to avoid a calorie overload.
5) White Wine: A 4-ounce glass of white wine can range from 65-100 calories, making it a perfect drink to have on a night out with the girls, or even cozied up with a movie. The key to not overdoing it on wine is to drink in moderation over the course of a night.
Forgoing empty calories at night will make you feel less hungover in the morning (sugar really does contribute to horrible hangovers!) and make you feel less guilty about drinking a few nights a week.
Photo Credits (and more recipes!):
http://www.oprah.com/health/The-Best-Drinks-for-Dieters-Low-Calorie-Cocktails
http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2008/12/5-best-low-calorie-cocktails#slide=9