Being healthy doesn't mean you have to be a social outcast. Mixologists and nutritional consultants say you can achieve your weightloss goals while hitting the bar once in a while. All you've got to do is make a smart choice. Keep two pointers in mind when picking a drink: calories and alcohol content. Calories in your mixers (simple and refined sugars) pose a serious challenge for those trying to stay fit. Marry that with the metabolic effects of booze (the body wants to process alcohol before anything else, so it inhibits fat burning) and you have a disaster.
These four danger cocktails better be off your list.
Magarita
Most bars prefer to use a pre-made commercial sour mix in Margaritas, and these are heavy on sugar. One drink could cost you about 400 calories (have just 2 of these and you are a little under completing your total daily calorie needs). What you could do, provided you are in the mood to compromise, if ask the bartender to make it using simple and freshly squeezed lime juice.
Mai Tai
Of Polynesian origin, the Mai Tai packs in rum (light or dark), pineapple and orange juice and Curacao liqueur. That makes it about 250 calories per standard portion. But it's the high sugar content (close to 18 gm) in this fruity cocktail that's the bummer. The alcohol-meets-highsugar combo has often been linked to obesity.
Daiquiri
If made using the traditional method, a Daiquiri includes rum, a dash of lime juice and syrup, thoroughly chilled. It's worse if you are being served a ready-to-drink mix because those are richer in sugar. For both, taste and health concerns, it's best to insist your drink is made using fresh ingredients right before you. And you are worse off if you buy a frozen mix. » That usually contains highfructose corn syrup, raspberry puree, banana, orange, lime juice, lemon and lime pulp. About 1/4th cup packs in 120 calories (add another 60 for the rum you are will use to spike it).
White Russian
That you can't whip up a stellar White Russian without a generous drizzle of heavy cream makes this one a heavyweight drink. Made with vodka, Kahlua and cream, one glass of it can add about 500 calories to your daily allowance of saturated fat. Interestingly, Kahlua and other liqueurs lack kick but are high in sugar. Mixologists suggest you mix the cream with milk, but you aren't going to get as luscious a drink.
Red Wine
The average glass of red wine contains about 115 calories and 4 gm of carbohydrates. Ladies, it's best you stick to one glass a night. Men should stop at two. If you are downing it over dinner, cut down on starchy foods — pasta, breads, etc. Stick to lean protein and vegetables. And know your serving size. Don't top your glass. Restrict it to 400 ml.
Ultralight Beer
The regular light beer contains about 100 calories per serving, but ultralights tend to start at 55 calories for the same serving size. They are of course, also lower in alcohol. The typical ultralight beer is less than 3 per cent alcohol by volume, compared to the average 4.5 per cent for light beers, so you might be tempted to down more glasses.
Martini
Is this the secret of Bond's droolworthy body? Whether shaken or stirred, the Martini with a gin, vermouth, olives and a lemon twist contains about 100 calories per serving. Your poison with soda/ water: Whiskey, brandy, vodka, rum, gin and tequila tend to contain 100 calories a shot. It's best to add ice and water, or ice and club soda and there, you are sipping on a 100-calorie drink. Stay away from fruit juice, grenadine, sweet and sour mixes, liqueurs such like Kahlua, and you should be fine.
