It's no surprise alcohol consumption rises during the holiday season. In fact, 25 percent of distilled spirits are sold between Thanksgiving and New Year's. While a celebratory drink is obviously fine, excessive holiday drinking can take a significant toll on both your waistline and health.
Seasonal drinks such as eggnog, buttered rum, and peppermint (schnapps) hot chocolate are DDD (Decadent Desserts in Disguise!). They are particularly problematic as they incorporate the extra calories and artery clogging fat of cream, butter, whole milk and chocolate, along with alcohol. If you do choose to drink them, try to count them toward your alcohol allotment plus a dessert.
5 Cocktail Tips
1. Think before you drink - decide how much you are going to drink in advance.
2. At parties, start with a non-alcoholic beverage to quench your thirst. During the party, switch between alcoholic beverages and low calorie non-alcoholic drinks like club soda or water.
3. Request low calorie diet mixers/chasers when possible.
4. Reduce calorie and alcohol content by making a wine spritzer or adding diet ginger ale to your beer (shandy).
5. Plan ahead. Save some calories during the day (i.e., skip your mid-day snack) if you know you plan to enjoy a drink or two later in the day.
Cocktail Calorie Counter
These calorie calculations are based on traditional recipes. Numbers may vary depending on ingredients and ingredient amounts.
- Eggnog with rum: (1 cup serving) Calories: 370
- Peppermint hot chocolate: (1 cup serving) Calories: 380
- Hot buttered rum: (1 cup serving) Calories: 292
- Godiva chocolate liquer (3 oz on the rocks) Calories: 310
- Holiday punch: (1 cup serving) Calories: 234
- Crantini (1 cup serving) Calories: 200
- Spiced cider with rum (1 cup serving) Calories: 150
- Mulled wine: (5 oz serving) Calories: 200
- Red wine: (5 oz serving) Calories: 120
- Whilte wine: (5 oz serving) Calories: 120
- Champagne: (5 oz serving) Calories: 120
- Vodka tonic: (one serving) Calories: 200
- Regular beer (12 oz serving) Calories: 150
- Light beer (12 oz serving) Calories: 100
As always, drink responsibly throughout the year.
