As the festive season is starting to creep closer and closer, this week will focus on how to regulate your alcohol intake as the amount you drink can have a significant impact on the amount of calories you consume. To put things into perspective, drinking 5 pints of beer a week is equivalent to eating 221 doughnuts a year and two large glasses of white wine will provide nearly a fifth of the daily calorie intake for a woman.
Here are some tips to help you try and control your alcohol intake as Christmas approaches, so you don’t put on any unwanted calories:
- Stick to your daily recommended units. Men shouldn’t regularly drink more than 3 units of alcohol a day and women shouldn’t drink more than 2 units daily. So a pint of larger and a 250ml glass of wine both contain 3 units of alcohol.
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to help keep you hydrated.
- If you feel the need to want to snack on crisps, pizza or chips whilst drinking, try switching these for lighter options such as nuts, dips and hummus.
- Eat a healthy dinner before you start drinking. If you plan on ordering a takeaway, order before you start to drink so you are not tempted to go for the less healthy options.
- Try to avoid ‘binge drinking’. This is more damaging to your health than frequently drinking small quantities.
Drinks to swap for fewer calories:
- Swap a pina colada for a mojito and save 326 kcal
- Swap a pint of larger for a larger shandy and save 100 kcal
- Swap a large glass of white wine for a white wine spritzer with soda and save 35 kcal
Thinking about what you’re drinking doesn’t just apply to alcohol, even some non-alcoholic drinks such as lattes or cokes can pile on added calories. Try switching to black or white coffee instead of cappuccinos to save an extra 193 kcal with your daily allowances.
Try creating your own minty lemonade. This refreshing low calorie drink is perfect to quench your thirst when you’re at a busy party – 46 kcals per serving.
You will need:
- Large handful of fresh mint leaves
- The juice of 6 lemons
- The zest of 3 lemons
- 3 tbsp of a sugar substitute
- Sparkling mineral water
Method:
- Tear up the mint leaves to release the flavour and pop them into a jug.
- Add into the jug: the lemon juice, zest and sugar and top it up with the sparkling water.
- Leave the lemonade to chill in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it up.
Check out our Christmas Alcohol Guide, here to find out more about the amount of calories in different drinks.
If you would like to recommend a friend to The Slimming Clinic, click here to find out more about our referral scheme to get a weeks free slimming for yourself.