The holidays are here! It’s time to raise a glass, celebrate special times with family and friends and toast the New Year. Just remember, calories from drinks can add up fast if you aren’t paying attention. Be sure to include drinks in your calorie count for the next few weeks. If not, you may end gaining weight even though you managed to avoid the Christmas cookies. Here’s the breakdown on holiday drinks so you can make an informed decision this year. - Eggnog – This is probably the highest calorie holiday drink. One cup has about 350 calories. If you add alcohol to your eggnog it brings the calorie count up to 400. Two glasses of eggnog could be half of your calories for the day so go easy on this one.
- Red Wine – Red wine has been found to have heart health benefits but it still has calories. 5 ounces of wine has about 100 – 150 calories. This may not sound like a lot but if you have more than one glass a few days in a row, the calories will add up. If you drink in moderation, red wine is a good choice. White wine has the same amount of calories and can be mixed with sparkling water to make a spritzer that is lower in calories.
- Liquor – Mixed drinks are popular this time of year. 1.5 ounces of liquor has about 100-150 calories. The problem with liquor is that many people don’t pour 1.5 ounces. If you mix drinks with a few ounces of liquor and have two or three drinks, the calories will add up quick. Another thing to think about is the mixer. If you’re mixing alcohol with soda, the calories can double. Try a low calorie mixer like diet tonic or sip your drink on ice.
- Beer – Light beer can be a good choice calorie wise. A light beer can have between 100 and 125 calories. If you have two or three beers at a party you are taking in relatively low calories from alcohol.
- Bloody Mary – These are great for holiday brunches. The tomato juice will fill you up and you may be less likely to overeat. You can leave out the alcohol for even fewer calories.
- Hot chocolate – My favorite non alcoholic drink. Try making yours with water instead of milk to save calories. Leave out the whipped cream and add just a few small marshmallows for extra creamy flavor.
Remember, all alcohol has a tendency to increase appetite. It can also lower your blood sugar which can make you feel hungry. After a few drinks, you may be less likely to pass up some of the high calorie holiday foods, so be careful when you raise your glass to toast this year. Don’t let your drinks put weight on you this year. And, as always, drink responsibly. Happy Holidays!
- JenniferLabels: Holiday Eating, Jennifer, Mindful Eating
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