What starts out as an innocent meal, can easily turn into a caloric catastrophe. Eating too many calories, regardless of your current physical activity level, can wreak havoc on your body. To help you get healthy, and possibly shed a few pounds, here are multiple ways to save calories at every meal!
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We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!
Which to drink, which to dodge, and how to lighten them!
By Diana Kelly, Prevention
Whether you'll be sipping daiquiris by the pool, gossiping over gimlets at brunch, or serving up a pitcher of something special at your outdoor party, cooling down with a cocktail is one of summer's great pleasures — and a surefire way to pack on the pounds!
We scoured the menus of national restaurant chains and researched popular drinks to find out how many calories are really in your favorite refreshers. Let's just say that mudslide might sink you in the deep end of the pool.
To the rescue: Christine Avanti, Los Angeles certified nutritionist and author of Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads (Rodale, 2009). Here she reveals calorie-trimming tips and swimsuit-friendly alternatives for top summer sippers. And remember, drink ingredients and portion sizes vary widely across locations so ask how it's made and then customize accordingly.
Alcohol Safety: Regular or Diet Soda in Cocktails?
Cheers to a slimmer summer!
Dodge it: Mudslide
Average calories: 500 to 850
This creamy frozen chocolate drink is a grown-up milkshake in disguise. It's probably the worst drink you could choose on the menu. It's usually made with Kahlúa® coffee liqueur, vodka, ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream.
Bartender, lighten it up!
Get rid of the ice cream, whipped cream, and the chocolate syrup or go very light on the syrup, says Avanti. Ask the bartender to use only 1 oz. of each liquor. If this is your once-a-year treat and you won't settle for a lighter version of it, at least tell the bartender to only whip up a half-portion of the drink or split it with a friend.
How Bad Are Your Health Vices?
Drink it: Cosmopolitan
Average calories: 220 to 300
This pink beauty gained popularity in the '90s as the signature drink of the Sex and the City foursome. It's usually made with Cointreau® or other orange-flavored liquor, vodka (sometimes flavored), simple syrup, cranberry juice and lime.
Bartender, lighten it up!
Ask for only 1 oz. of each serving of alcohol and skip the syrup. If you really want to trim calories but keep the orange flavor, Avanti suggests swapping the orange-flavored liquor for 1 Tbsp. of orange juice.
Learn how to lighten up your margarita when you read more.
