Survive the silly season with these 5 healthy(er) alcohols!
Girls and fun go together like summer and sunshine, but if the holiday season has drowned your calendar in more social soirees than an entire box set of Sex & The City, you’re going to need every trick in the book to hit the New Year thriving, rather than only… just… surviving.
It’s so easy to underestimate the impact of cumulative nights spent sipping on alcohol, from draining your energy and focus, to disrupting sleep and digestion, unbalancing appetite hormones and messing with your metabolism.
Not only are there the liquid calories and sugar for your body to deal with, alcohol is also treated as a poison by your body and while it’s present, no other food is likely to be burned as fuel, and less of the vitamins and nutrients in your food are absorbed.
The end result is less energy and focus, more fat storage and more “blah” vibes, particularly if you back it all up with unhealthy food choices.
But we are all about saying yes to socialising, because life is about creating memories, and a cheeky glass of bubbles with your girls, a lush glass of red over dinner with a loved one, or a fun night out with your team after a big year are some of life’s simplest pleasures.
So in honour of the silliest (but funnest) season of them all, check out our list of 5 healthy(er) alcoholic drinks, to help you feel fresh and festive all season long.
Remember! You can still have fun without alcohol too, so don’t be afraid to give yourself a little break by setting a principle for your intake, like keeping 4 nights per week alcohol free, sticking to just one or two serves per week, or sipping slowly and alternating every alcoholic drink with 1-2 glasses of water or sparkling water when you are indulging.
5 of the healthiest alcohol choices
1. A glass of red or dry white wine
One serve is 150ml, around 100-150 calories and very minimal sugar. Red wine is our pick due to all those antioxidants and a little bit less sugar than most whites.
2. Quality champagne
Sparkles are lighter on calories than wine, at about 90 calories per serve, but they do have a bit more sugar.
3. Vodka with soda water and fresh lime
1 serve contains just over 100 calories and the lime reduces the glycaemic index (GI) of the drink, so your blood sugars rise more slowly and won't 'crash' afterwards.
4. Low sugar cocktails
Our favourites picks are:
- Bloody Mary - these are light on calories and packed with antioxidants, while the spices and peppers give your metabolism a little boost and the celery adds freshness and fibre. The consistency also fills you up, so you're less likely to crave a second drink
- Margaritas - there's a catch to this suggestion! First up, we're not talking the frozen, pre-mixed kind of margarita. Secondly, you've got to ask the bartender not to use any variation of sugar syrup or agave, just straight up tequila, Cointreau and fresh lime juice. Fun fact: tequila is one of the only alcohols that’s a mood booster, rather than a depressant, so the little lift you'll get is a bonus to this order
5. A light beer
Be aware that this choice contains gluten and a few other ingredients that can cause bloating, but it’s not a bad option if you stop at one or two.
Avoid these…
Soft drink, pre-made mixers, anything frozen, anything creamy, anything made with an energy drink, shots and (sorry girls) gin & tonic. Why? Don’t be fooled by the word “water” - tonic water actually contains as much, or more sugar than Coke!