I looked at my calendar yesterday and realized that it’s already upon us. The 4th of July is at our doorstep, and most of us are looking forward to some relaxation by the pool, the barbeque or the beach! This is certainly not a time to dampen the festivities with copious food and drink restrictions, right?
I agree, and in the spirit of the 4th I found this site, which is loaded with delicious drinks that are simple and refreshing! Many of these great recipes include both alcohol and a virgin options. You may recognize my resource, Eating Well which is the online version of the same excellent magazine. If you check out the site, take a look at the food options, too, for some last minute holiday dishes.
In a rush and you don’t have time to look up these recipes? Here are a few tips to lighten up some popular drinks. Reduce that 150 calorie beer to 100, by drinking a light version. Reduce your gin and tonic calorie load – which weighs in at a surprising 170 calories per cocktail – to only 65 calories by substituting sparkling water for the tonic! Finally, lower the calories in your wine from 120 calories, to 90 calories by opting for a red sparkling wine.
As always, balance and moderation are the keys to treating yourself while honoring your weight and health goals. In the event that you do go overboard, don’t sweat it. Enjoy and get back on track the next day, since an occasional cheat meal can actually help during any weight loss plan. One popular program that allows you to cheat while losing weight is called Cheat Your Way Thin.
