Thirsty Thursday // Low-Calorie Cocktails

Just because you're trying to reach new fitness and health goals, it doesn't mean you have to skip out on happy hour and give up your glass of wine. Happy hour doesn't have to be a diet downer. With a little planning, you can avoid diet disaster, and there are some alcoholic drinks that are relatively low in calories.

5 Ways to Keep from Overloading on Alcoholic Calories

ALTERNATE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

CHOOSE WINE, LIGHT BEER, OR SIMPLE COCKTAILS MADE WITH LOW-CALORIE MIXERS // Just like you ask for your salad dressing on the side, don't be shy to ask for your cocktail exactly the way you want it. 

SKIP THE MIXER // Try a new flavored liquor on the rocks or with some water. No added calories. Save 100 calories with a diet soda instead of regular. 

DILUTE YOUR DRINK // Use club soda or sparkling water. Garnish with a wedge of citrus or pineapple to add flavor and few calories. 

HAVE A GAME PLAN // Decide in advance the number of cocktails you are going to drink and cut back on calories during the day in anticipation. But eat a light snack before you go so you won't get tipsy with the first drink and it will be less tempted to dive into the food. Always be aware of your own personal limits. Don't drink too much, and, of course, don't drink and drive.

Some mixers that won't pack on the pounds include:

• Diet soda or diet tonic: 0 calories
• Orange juice (6 oz): 84 calories
• Cranberry juice cocktail (8 oz): 136 calories
• Light orange juice (8 oz): 50 calories
• Light cranberry juice (8 oz): 40 calories
• Light lemonade (8 oz): 5 calories
• Coffee, tea: 0 calories
• Baja Bob's sugar-free margarita or sweet 'n' sour mix: 0 calories
• Lemon or lime juice (1/2 oz): 10 calories
• DaVinci or Torani's sugar-free syrups: 0

Low-Calorie Cocktail // Mojito
Although a drink made with sugar screams “back away!” for the waistline-conscious, you can request half the simple syrup—or ditch it altogether. Mint, lime, and soda water are all naturally low-cal, a shot of rum is about 100 calories, and 2 tbsp. of sugar (half the normal serving) in the form of syrup is about 40 calories.

What's your favorite low-calorie cocktail? Share as a comment below and we'll share them on our Facebook page! 

Happy Thirsty Thursday! 

Sources: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/low-calorie-cocktails

http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2008/12/5-best-low-calorie-cocktails#slide=1