By Monty Dayton
You work hard all week eating consciously, counting every calorie, avoiding sugary snacks that could potentially ruin your diet. But when Happy Hour rolls around, many of us don't take the time to think about how many calories are in our favorite drinks and find ourselves frustrated when it comes time to weigh in. Next time you head to the watering hole try one of these low calorie cocktails instead.
A White Wine Spritzer made with 4 ounces of wine and club soda has only 80 calories. White wine has not fat content and in moderation brings many health benefits. The antioxidants in white wine help to improve lung function, prevent ulcers and maintain a healthy heart. Of course consuming alcohol also impairs liver function so you don't wan to get too crazy.
Gin and diet tonic made with 2 ounces of gin with a splash of lime weighs in at a mere 103 calories, making it a featherweight among mixed drinks and the citrus taste is sure to be pleasing to your palette as well.
Vodka and sugar free Red Bull is great for the calorie conscious weighing in at a measly 74 calories. Of course mixing alcohol with caffeine and other stimulants like those found in energy drinks is risky. It's okay to enjoy one or two, but be careful not to overdo it.
If you're a whiskey man like myself then you'll be happy to know that the traditional whiskey sour won't add extra inches to your waistline. Surprisingly whiskey sours contain only 125 calories. Generally this cocktail is made using bourbon which has fewer calories than most hard liquor. To further reduce your caloric intake, skip the traditional bottled or powdered mixers and substitute the sugar with artificial sweeteners like Splenda.
Bloody Marys are a fan favorite with only 125 calories.
Though it is important to note that the average Bloody Mary packs nearly 500mg of sodium, nearly a quarter of the daily recommended allowance. Over do it and you may find yourself carrying around extra water weight. Too much sodium can aid dehydration and could be dangerous especially if you have other health issues such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
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