i've yet to figure this one out. how do you have a drink and save on calories? I've had bloody marys in the past. idk it's always a disaster for me. any suggestions?
I'm fortunate because my program lets me account for a drink or two. There ARE some things you can do -- such as tall narrow glasses, tons of ice, sugar-free mix (check out the calorie count on tonic water! DH substitutes with diet ginger ale -- not the same, but OK for him), lite beer (but check the calorie counts), tricks like making sure you drink say 2 glasses of water for every drink you consume (making it harder to chug down diet-busting quantities of drinks during an evening), and so on. I drink wine with meals 3 or 4 nights a week but I have a single 2 oz serving only (1 WW point) of red or white wine and I can fit this in without too much trouble. And if I never had another glass of wine again it wouldn't bother me in the least. I'm lucky as I can't stand beer and choose to avoid the mixed drinks, coolers, and icy drinks because they ARE so calorie-dense.
So the KEY IMHO is figuring out the lowest calorie acceptable subsitutes, seriously limiting your quantities by having half glasses OR using the tall narrow glass/tons of ice trick, and giving up those drinks that you just can't make work into your eating plan.
Kira
im not a drinker, but wines are good. mixed drinks with diet soda or seltzer. 1 oz of bacardi light rum w/ diet coke is about 70 calories.
drinking does dehydrate you and they are empty calories tho, so moderation is key!
I have exactly the drink I want -- a mojito made with mint from my garden, even though it has sugar. But I have one a week. Friday night after supper. I look forward to it all week and that keeps me from straying into other things.
I love dry red wine, and have it most evenings. I plan for it (save calories so I am still OP). I use small 4 oz. wine glasses and fill them about 2/3 full. Thus, two of these are only about 140-170 calories. I sip slowly, savoring the experience.
That being said, I make sure that the rest of my calories are "clean", nutritious calories. Red wine and dark chocolate are my spurge calories and are budgeted as part of my plan.
Bacardi Light Rum, not only low in calories but just check out the carb count;)
My issue with alcohol is that I can have one, but not two. Two quickly spirals into four or five and then I have a hangover for two days. :(
If I'm having one, I always have red wine. At least it has anti-oxidants, right? ;)
Lower calorie drinks are clear hard liquors, (vodka, light rum, gin, etc.) and a diet pop, or water mixer. Vodka and diet sprite is pretty good, and rum and Freska is dangerously delicious.
I'm like rachinma...I can't stop at one drink, just like I can't stop at one cookie, or one cigarette. I had to give alcohol up. (Like I gave up cookies and smokes). For *ME* somethings just can't be done in moderation. I wish I could, but after 44 year of trying, I'm starting to see the big picture. (for me) :) It seems to me, looking back at my "dieting" life time journey, every time I ever lost a significant amount of weight I quit drinking so that I could accomplish my goals. EVERY SIGNLE TIME I decided to add alcohol back into my life, I started gaining immediately. (remember I can't stop at one...and after a good buzz a plate of nachos is never turned down...) I think this time I'm going to stay off the booze. Food was my first true love anyway. I rather eat than drink.