Holiday Challenge: Set a limit on your party cocktails and stick to it.

I bet you were hoping that I was challenging you to create a party worthy cocktail. Ya, not so much.

Alcohol seems to flow freely during the Holiday party season. I like a cold glass of champagne as well as anyone but alcohol is not your friend if you are watching your waistline. Alcohol is fat-free and low in carbs, but it’s important to remember that it’s the calories that count when it comes to weight management. Alcohol and dieting don’t mix well—your body processes alcohol first, leaving carbohydrates and fats to get stored as fat instead of getting used as fuel. There’s a reason that excess fat is called a beer belly in those who imbibe frequently.

If you plan to drink then set your limit before you start drinking because it is a fact that after you drink one or more adult beverages you lose your ability to make good choices about food and drinks.

Your best options calorie wise are wine, champagne, and light beer, or hard liquor mixed with no calorie mixers i.e vodka and soda.

5 oz of wine, 1.5 oz of vodka or whiskey, and 12 oz of light beer each have about 100 calories.

The worst calorie options include any drink in a tumbler made with sugar. If your drink is adorned with an umbrella or a sugared rim it is suspect.

Piña Coladas, Mojitos, Daiquiris and Margaritas in an average serving (6-8 oz) will cost you between 500 and 1000 calories. Egg nog and brandy will set you back 300 calories for 1/2 cup. Yes, really. Mudslides? You don’t want to know. If you want a special cocktail, then plan for it and enjoy, but call it dessert and limit it to one.

Drink a glass of water after every alcoholic drink to stay hydrated and to sloooooow down your consumption. Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Have a meal or a snack before you drink to slow down the absorption of the alcohol.

Don’t drink and drive, ever. Women have a lower tolerance for alcohol than men and a large pour of wine could put you over your legal limit to drive.

Nothing says, “I won’t be home for Christmas”, like a DUI! Always agree in advance on a designated driver or take a cab.

Worried about how much you drink? See my post about Wine and Women for help.