You’ve worked hard on getting in shape. You’ve even thought about how to enjoy the festivities while eating healthily.
But have you considered what you’ll be drinking?
Consider the Facts
It’s not hard to see how a few drinks can make a huge difference to your weight control regime, consider this:
- Starbucks hot chocolate has 250 calories.
- The average latte has 135 calories.
- An average 12 oz beer has 150 calories.
- A double vodka and diet coke has approximately 110 calories!
It may surprise you to know that the calories come from the vodka, not the diet coke.
Of course, measures at home are generally more generous, rapidly increasing the calories you are consuming.
This is not the only thing that should concern you!
- A typical glass of merlot has 120 calories and 3.7g carbs.
- Your average beer will have 11g carbs.
- A regular mojito will have 25g carbs and an impressive 217 calories!
It’s enough to swear you off all liquid for the holiday season. But it doesn’t have to be.
There are healthy options which can help you to enjoy the holiday season without ruining your commitment to healthy eating.
Try one of these 10 healthy holiday drinks; you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
#1 – Naturally Flavoured Water
Hydration is essential and water is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Your body is approximately 65% water, it’s essential for all your bodily functions and you need to keep it topped up.
However, sometimes it’s good to spice it up a little.
Try adding a stick of cinnamon into a pitcher of water and leaving it in the refrigerator for a few hours.
Or add some fruit, crushed or sliced. You won’t just be adding flavor you’ll benefit from vitamins and even antioxidants.
#2 – Freshly Squeezed Juice
This is always an option, most café’s will have some variety on offer but the key is to choose one that is freshly squeezed.
You’ll know that there are no sugary additives.
Juicing does generally lose the fiber which is contained in fruit but one glass should contain fewer calories than your average glass of wine.
It will also count towards your 5 fruit and vegetables per day.
Of course, you can turn these into smoothies. Your choice of juice can provide a host of other health benefits as well as being a refreshing treat.
#3 – Slim Line Eggnog
This is a traditional winter holiday drink but it’s generally made with full fat milk and cream; not something you want too much of!
Instead, try mixing a cup of skimmed milk with a teaspoon of natural vanilla and heating gently on the stove.
Separately blend an egg, a tablespoon of sugar and ½ teaspoon of cornstarch.
Slowly add this to the hot milk mixture, keep it on the heat and stir continually until blended. Fill two large mugs and enjoy.
#4 – Holiday Spiced Latte
After intensive shopping, a hard day or the fantastic holiday feast a coffee is usually perfect to wash it all down.
Even if you know it will leave you feeling even fuller!
One black coffee will have approximately 2 calories and no fat. But most people don’t drink plain black coffee, especially with so many different flavor lattes on offer.
This one will stimulate your taste buds and keep you healthy:
Mix one cup of skimmed milk with a teaspoon of honey, a little grated ginger, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and ½ teaspoon vanilla essence.
Heat until it reaches boiling point then pour into your cup.
Increase the mixture for more than one drink and feel free to tweak the amounts of each spice for your own taste buds.
As well as being delicious the ginger will boost your immune system while the cinnamon and vanilla are full of antioxidants.
All of them are anti-inflammatory.
Healthy and delicious!
#5 – Light Beer
The first three drinks are great, but you can’t sit in the bar with your office mates drinking them!
Unfortunately this is the time when you can add a large number of calories in a short space of time.
Just remember, the higher the alcohol content the larger the calorie count.
This makes beer low on the scale, except that you are likely to drink it in much larger quantities.
If you are having just one beer opt for a light beer like Budweiser select or Corona light.
#6 – The Hard Stuff
A straight shot of liqueur is going to have a high alcohol percentage and should, therefore, be high in calories.
However, you will probably have one shot of whiskey or vodka to your friend’s pint of beer.
But consider this; the light beer above has approximately 100 calories, your 80% proof shot of whiskey has just 64!
Less might not be more but it is definitely better!
If you can handle it, add some soda and fresh lime to your shot, adding virtually no calories but extending the life of your drink.
Even better, if you want to get drunk, you can still do it without feeling bloated and with fewer calories!
#7 – Champagne!
If you’re out and wine is on the menu then consider ordering a glass or bottle of champagne instead.
It’s holiday season so a good reason to celebrate!
One glass of champagne has approximately 96 calories compared to roughly 130 in your glass of wine.
It’s worth noting that white wine generally has slightly fewer calories than red, but red has more health benefits associated with it.
#8 – The 007
One way of still participating at the bar but staying healthy is to move your drink up a class. Like Bond, you can be shaken but not stirred!
You need 2 shots of vodka and 1 of vermouth. They should be poured into a cocktail shaker that is half full of ice cubes. Shake well!
Simply pour into a suitable glass and, if you wish, add an olive a bit of lemon twisted onto the outside of the glass.
Surprisingly this has 135 calories, approximately the same as a glass of wine.
The suit is optional but will help you look the part.
#9 – Margarita
Of course, the holiday season isn’t complete without indulging in a few cocktails!
A really healthy Margarita is best made at home.
All you need to do is half fill your cocktail shaker with ice and add a shot of tequila, a tablespoon of fresh lime juice and 1 tablespoon of fresh
orange juice.
You can add a few drops of agave nectar for flavor, if you wish.
Shake well, pour and drink. A piece of lime on the glass is optional but it is best to avoid salting the rim.
The calorie count will be within the 60 – 70 range!
#10 – Bloody Mary
The main factor to ensuring this drink is piling on the calories is to make sure you use freshly squeezed tomato juice.
You can mix this straight into your glass. 1 shot vodka, 1 shot tomato juice (fresh), a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and a few drops of your preferred hot sauce. Tabasco works fine.
Fill your glass with ice and stir well before enjoying.
It has approximately 130 calories.
The real secret to healthy holiday drinks is to use fresh ingredients and drink in moderation.
Don’t forget, the higher the alcohol content the more calories there are. Happy holidays!
Your new friend & health coach,
Dr. Anthony Balduzzi
Founder, The Fit Father Project
Dr. Anthony is a men’s health, weight loss, & muscle-building expert exclusively for busy fathers. After watching his own Dad lose his health and pass away at the young age of 42, Dr. Anthony committed his life to helping busy men stay healthy for their families.
Brotherhood Nickname: “Mr. Results”
Bragging Rights: Has helped over 10,000 fathers lose over 75,000lbs and rebuild lean muscle
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I’d recommend you read the program overview letter for our Fit Father 30-Day Program (FF30X). Inside FF30X, you’ll receive:
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*Please know that weight loss results & health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on healthy holiday drinks.
