Toasting to a Healthier You…Tips for Choosing Healthier Cocktails this New Year’s Eve

[lead]If you’re popping bottles or mixing up some crafty cocktails this New Year’s Eve, find out which adult beverages can make or break a healthy lifestyle.[/lead]

New Year’s is a time for celebration…a new year, a clean slate, etc. Cocktails are a big part of New Year’s celebrations for many, but not all cocktails are created equal. We’ve talked a lot about healthy tips for the holidays in regards to food, but cocktails can be sneaky little suckers that pack a lot of calories or added sugar.

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[column size=”half” last=”no”]I’ve rounded up some of the most consumed cocktails and included their calorie and sugar counts to help you become aware of which cocktails are healthier choices than others.

Staying informed about what you are putting into your body is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle, even while celebrating! Remember that the key to a healthy lifestyle is finding balance and moderation, especially when it comes to alcohol.[/column]
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Some Healthy Tips:

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[accordion title=”Watch out for Mixers” active=”yes|no”]A lot of drink mixers (like triple sec or margarita mix)Triple Sec  are very high in sugar.[/accordion]
[accordion title=”Fruit Juices Add Calories” active=”yes|no”]Fruity drinks containing a lot of juices can be high in sugar and calories. Many times they are made with juices that don’t contain 100% juice.[/accordion][accordion title=”Club Soda is a great addition” active=”yes|no”]Cutting otherwise sugary drinks with Club Soda in place of juice, soda, or tonic can greatly reduce the amount of calories/sugar consumed.[/accordion]

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Wine

• White Wine: a typical glass contains about 120 calories, 0 grams carbs
• Red Wine: One 5oz serving has 120 calories, 5 grams carbs
• Champagne (sparkling wine): Four ounces contains about 90 calories.
• Watch out for Moscato, one glass contains about 160 calories, 20 grams carbs (17 grams coming from sugars)

Beer

• Lite Beer: 1 bottle contains 102 calories, 5 grams carbs
• IPA: 1 bottle contains 175 calories, 14 grams carbs
• Stout: 1 pint contains 170 calories, 6 grams carbs
• Watch out for Hard Ciders, 1 bottle of Angry Orchard cider contains about 210 calories, 30 grams carbs (24 grams from sugar). The sugar content is high due in part to the sugar in the apples, but some brands add artificial sweeteners as well.

Mixed Drinks

• Martini: contains 70 calories, 17 grams carbs (17 grams from sugar).
• Cosmopolitan: contains about 100 calories, 24 grams carbs (22 grams from sugar). Triple Sec and Cranberry Juice (both ingredients in a standard cosmo)  are very high in sugar. Healthier Option: Consider swapping for a vodka with club soda and a splash of cranberry juice.
• Moscow Mule contains 120 calories, 15 grams carbs (13 grams sugar)
• Gin & Tonic with Lime: contains 143 calories, 14 grams carbs (13 grams from sugar). Healthier Option: Swapping for a gin & club soda cuts the drink down to 80 calories and 3 grams carbs (3 grams sugar, from the lime). Club Soda doesn’t have any calories, where Tonic has about 60 calories per 6 oz serving.
• Margarita: A 12oz regular margarita on the rocks contains 175 calories, 19 grams carbs (17 grams from sugar). The high calorie and high sugar content is due to mixer used. Healthier Option: Swap for a “skinny margarita” made from tequila, agave nectar, fresh lime juice and a splash of water.

Wishing you all a Happy & Healthy New Year!