Let’s face it, summers are boozy. It’s hard to avoid alcohol when the weather is warm and you’re out and about. Nothing beats rooftop happy hours, boozy brunches, and cocktails by the pool in the summer. At this point in the year, you’re probably coming out of hibernation and socializing more than ever. “Dry January” might be a thing, but it’s much harder in June! I’m sure we all worked very hard on making healthy choices in the winter (there’s that saying about how summer bodies are made in the winter?) and if the thought of undoing all of that work is concerning, don’t worry! Keep reading for easy tips to make healthier booze choices this summer.
Everyone knows alcohol = added sugar = extra calories = fat. While the healthiest option is to forgo alcohol completely, if you’re looking for a little more *balance* in your life, just keep these things in mind.
+ Limit cocktails
While cocktails are delicious, they’re filled with even more added sugar, which also makes hangovers so much worse. If I’m going to have a cocktail, I’ll have one before switching over to clear liquor or wine. My favorite – an aperol spritz!
You can always also ask the bartender to use less simple syrup / sugar in the cocktail and add soda water or extra lime/lemon to dilute the alcohol and make the cocktail “skinny.”
+ Choose low sugar mixers and liquors
What you choose to mix your liquor with matters!! Sparkling or soda water is best, if too much carbonation upsets your stomach you can always try flat water as well. If you like the taste of juice, fresh squeezed is always best. To cut down on the sugar in juice, just add a splash to sparkling water. Avoid soda and tonic water (<< major calorie bomb) if possible.
When it comes to liquor, clear alcohol tends to have the fewest amount of sugar – stick to gin, vodka, or blanco tequila (tryyy to avoid mixing alcohol!). If you’re drinking wine, try to choose a dry red or white (less sugar).
+ Alternate water
Your most responsible friend will always tell you to alternate every drink with a glass of water. This not only keeps you hydrated and helps prevent hangovers, it’s better for your body as it tries to process the liquor you just drank.
+ Be careful what you drunk eat
Despite our best intentions, sometimes ravenous hunger overcomes us after having a few drinks. If you can even attempt to make healthier choices when you drunk eat, you’ll save hundreds of calories and save your waistline in the long run.
How do you balance health and play in the summertime? xx
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