A basil gimlet might not be the natural choice for a St. Patrick's Day drink, but it's got two things going for it: it's green, and it's a nice low-calorie alternative to the traditionally served whiskey or beer. For those of you who are counting, a pint of Guinness will set you back 210 calories and the average shot of Jameson whiskey is around 140 calories. On the other hand, when made with Read more

During the weekend I love going to brunch with my girlfriends, especially because of the mimosas and Bloody Marys. Brunch can get pretty heavy though, and the cocktails are no exception. On their own, most spirits average around 120 calories in a typical pour. Start adding fruit and veggie juice to the mix and that number quickly goes up — a Bloody Mary can easily add 350 calories and a ton of Read more

There's nothing wrong with enjoying a cocktail or two, but if you're concerned with calories and carbs, alcohol can be a fast and easy way to overindulge without even realizing it. The next time you're drinking, try shochu. It's a distilled beverage from Japan that works great in cocktails and has fewer calories than other liquors. In most cocktails, a 1.5-ounce serving of hard liquor adds about Read more

Bloody Marys are the quintessential brunch time drink; some might even argue that it's liquid salad. My feeling is that as long as you don't overdo it, they're a fun way to get lycopene in your diet. Ever since I discovered shochu — a low-calorie alternative to vodka — I've been playing around with different cocktail recipes. My latest is a lighter version of the Bloody Mary but with an Asian Read more

There's nothing wrong with the occasional cocktail, but if you're watching your waistline, the wrong drink order can be detrimental to maintaining a healthy weight. Avoid making happy hour a sugar and fat festival with these two easy tips — in the end, you'll have saved yourself almost 300 calories! Start with the right alcohol: When it comes to saving calories, stick to basic alcohol Read more

It turns out that posted calorie counts on restaurant menus aren't always accurate. For those of you watching your weight, this might feel like a major blow, but it doesn't have to be. The next time you dine out, follow these easy tips to keep calories in check. Research the menu before you go A few days before the reservation, check out the restaurant's menu online. It gives you time to assess Read more