July 4th is officially only a week away! We know you’re gearing up for a super fun-filled (and sun-filled) day of patriotic partying, but before you start mixing and pouring, you might want to check out this little video that shows you just how many calories are in a serving of alcohol.
A single shot of hard alcohol, which is 1.5 ounces, contains roughly 100 calories. The same applies to an 8 ounce serving of beer, and a 5 ounce glass of wine. This may not seem like breaking news to you, but this video captures exactly what that looks like when poured into a large glass – not much. Check it out and see for yourself!
Did that video get you concerned about how many calories you’ll be drinking next week? Relax, here are a few ways to avoid overloading on alcoholic calories this July 4th:
1. Steer clear of sugar traps
Mix hard alcohol with fresh squeezed juices, or club soda (or a combination of the two!) for a refreshing, light cocktail. Using fresh fruit juice will also allow you to enjoy all those vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants without all the added sugar. If you just can’t live without a sweet cocktail, try using an alternative sweetener like stevia or agave instead of plain sugar.
2. No booze before dinner
As tough as it may be to resist the urge to indulge in a midday cocktail, limiting your alcohol consumption to evening hours only will not only save you significant calories, but it will also prevent you from getting overly dehydrated in the summer sun. Sip on water, unsweetened iced tea, or fresh squeezed lemonade throughout the day to stay hydrated.
3. Set a drink limit
One alcoholic beverage per hour is usually a good rule to follow. Setting a limit for yourself before the festivities even begin is an even better way of making sure you stick to your rules.
How do you watch your calories while you drink?
I’m such a lightweight, I rarely have more than two drinks, so I just drink what unlike and enjoy it:)
No drinking calories here! I’d much rather EAT my calories than drink them. Plus, I actually cannot drink because my body doesn’t tolerate alcohol of any kind! I guess it’s sort of a blessing in disguise! 😉
[…] no shocker that alcohol can be the downfall of even the most air tight diet. Beer is full of empty calories and carbs, and mixed drinks can have more sugar than they do […]