A Healthier Buzz

Sometimes there is nothing better than having a refreshing beverage with friends on a nice summer's day. For many who strive to live a healthy lifestyle social drinking can present a challenge. Low sugar, low alcohol content drinks strike the right balance between taste and health. Keep in mind that low sugar drinks are considered to be less than 4g of added sugar and low alcohol content is considered less than 10% ABV (alcohol by volume). Hard liquor like vodka, gin, tequila, and whiskey (at 1.5 ounces per serving) have no sugar. Soda water is a greater addition to mixed drinks as it is essentially carbonated water with no calories or sugar. Without mixing additional calories or sugar to your beverage it keeps the count to 100-115 calories per serving.

READY TO DRINK COCKTAILS

When convenience is king and you need to take a drink with you, see Eat This, Not That's list of healthier cocktails you can buy online. Be sure to look for options around 100 calories and less than 10% ABV. Also, you also can't go wrong with Presecco (80 calories, 1gm sugar) or Extra Brut Champagne (91 calories, 2gm sugar).

MIXED DRINK RECIPES

Mojito (110 calories, 0 added sugar)

• Mint leaves

• 1-2 teaspoons stevia (or monkfruit sweetener)

• 1/2 fresh lime, juiced

• 1 shot (1.5 ounces) of unsweetened white rum or vodka

• cubed or crushed ice

• 1/2 cup club soda

Bloody Mary (134 calories, 0 added sugar)

• 1 shot (1.5 ounces) of vodka

• 6 ounces tomato juice

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

• 1/8 teaspoon celery salt

• 2 to 3 drops hot sauce (such as Tabasco)

• 2 to 3 drops Worcestershire sauce

• 1 dash pepper

• Optional: 1 small dollop horseradish

• Optional garnishes: lemon wedge, celery stalk, olives, cocktail shrimp

Skinny Margarita (110 calories, 0 added sugar)

• 1.25 cup ice cubes (for blended)

• 1.5 fl oz Tequila

• 1/2 fresh lime, juiced

• 1/3 tsp Orange extract (optional)

• 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener or 1 tsp liquid Stevia

• Sea salt (for salted rim-optional)

• Lime wedges (garnish)

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

Remember the calories from drinking add up, so sip slowly to make them last longer. Even without the sugar, alcohol is a toxin and in excess has harmful effects on our health. Toxins wreak havoc on our sex hormones, which result in decreased testosterone levels for men and increased estrogen for women. Imbalanced hormones alone can lead to greater difficulty losing weight even when consuming low calorie, low sugar options. The general guideline is 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for me. Strike the balance that works for you and enjoy responsibly.