Holidays are a time to relax and have fun, and this year’s Labor Day is no exception. I’m going to list some ideas for low calorie cocktails to try this labor day, but first, do you know that a single shot of that chocolate martini you are planning to consume contains more calories than a grilled chicken sandwich?
A gram of alcohol contains seven calories which, when compared to a gram of protein or carbohydrate, is only four grams. If you are hoping to take mixed drinks, then it’s equally as bad. For example, a standard 1.5 ounce of eighty-proof alcohol contains ninety-six calories, a higher result than beer and wine. This means all the work out sessions and intense dieting can go down the drain if you allow yourself to overindulge.
However, this is not to say you can’t have fun and take a drink, it only means you have to seek healthy ways of going about it. In this article, we focus on low-calorie cocktails to try this Labor Day.
- Tips for Choosing Healthy Alcoholic Drinks
- Health Benefits of Alcoholic Drink
- Low-Calorie Cocktails to Try This Labor Day
- Wrap Up
Tips for Choosing Low Calorie, Healthy Alcoholic Drinks
Drinking too much alcohol can lead to excessive weight gain. Many dietitians and fitness enthusiasts advise cutting back on alcohol intake or staying off it entirely. But how possible is this?
The good news is that you can still drink alcohol and stay fit, you only have to do so the right way and in moderation. The following tips will come in handy:
Take Water Breaks in Between
It is important to drink at least one or two glasses of water for each alcoholic drink you take. It’s also important to avoid drinking on an empty stomach. This is because the stomach absorbs alcohol, hence having a meal before drinking will slow down the rate of absorption.
Use Low-Calorie Mixers
Toby Amidor, a renowned nutritionist says that the best types of mixers are those that are low in calories and sugars. Examples include pure, one hundred percent juice, unsweetened ice tea, coffee, and seltzer. Therefore, to have a healthy cocktail, it’s best to add natural ingredients such as slices of cucumber, herbs, raspberries, and so on. This gives you a fancy cocktail without all the sugars and calories.
Alcohol and Workouts
While the idea of working out during a hangover seems like hell, it’s actually the best way to remedy the situation. Engaging in high-intensity workouts keeps the blood pumping and helps with detoxification as you tend to sweat and urinate a lot.
There are many workouts you can engage in; just ensure you stay hydrated while at it. If you can’t handle exercise, you can also take a walk—this speeds up the alcohol metabolization. Alcohol and workouts should go hand in hand if you want to stay healthy.
Drink Slowly
Don’t rush your drink, rather take your time to savor it slowly and mindfully. When you drink slowly, you consume fewer calories; this also prevents hunger pangs which can lead to intake of junk food, and subsequently weight gain.
Health Benefits of Alcoholic Drink
Contrary to what many believe, moderate consumption of alcohol can be healthy for everyone, this is according to Harvard T.H. CHAN School of Public Health. Some of the healthy benefits of alcohol include:
- Lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Lengthens lifespan
- Improves sexual libido
- Helps to fight against the common cold
- Reduces chances of dementia
- Reduces risk of diabetes
- Lowers the chances of developing gallstones
Low Calorie Cocktails to Try This Labor Day
Labor Day is fast approaching, and you can’t wait to celebrate with friends and family, but you want to stay fit and healthy while at it. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The following cocktail drinks are just what you need to have fun the healthy way:
- Champagne
- Sazerac
- Old Fashioned
- Paloma
- Gimlet
- Martini
Champagne: Ninety Calories
With champagne and champagne related drinks, you can have a good time without worrying about its calorie content. Just one standard flute (approximately 4oz) has fewer calories than a glass of red wine or any mixed drink.
Sazerac: 136 Calories
Sazerac is a must-have for whiskey lovers. The combination of sugar, bitters, water, and absinth dilutes the bite of the liquor without shooting up the calorie count.
Old Fashioned: 154 Calories
If you would rather not drink your bourbon straight, then an Old Fashioned is the way to go. This cocktail with its splash of bitters has just the right flavor and sweetness without taking on too many calories.
Paloma: 166 Calories
The sad thing for tequila lovers is that they often have to give up on margaritas to stay in shape. But the good news is that you can settle for a Paloma. The drink is a mixture of lime, soda, and grapefruit juice. This way you can skip all the sugar and salt in rum and settle for a healthy, tasty cocktail.
Gimlet: 178 Calories
If you love to have gin in your liquor, then a classic gimlet is just what you need to stay in shape while having fun. The drink is a combination of Rose’s sweetened lime juice and any liquor of your choice. You can further cut down the calories by skipping the pre-purchased juice; just add a splash of syrup and freshly-juiced lime and you’re good to go.
Martini: 176 Calories
With just a blend of gin and vermouth, you can have a neat, classic, low-calorie martini, one of the healthiest cocktails that exists. You can have it dry; this means less vermouth and more gin.
Orange Dreamsicle Floatini: One Hundred Calories
This is a low-calorie ice cream cocktail requiring only three ingredients. It’s easy to make and so delicious. The best part is that it has only one hundred calories!
Wrap Up
Now that you know how to pull together some healthy cocktails, it’s time to unknot your tie, let down your hair, and anticipate the fun to be had at this year’s Labor Day. You deserve all the happiness you can get after surviving this year.
