How to Lose Weight with Holiday Beverages

Tips for Enjoying Holiday Drinks While Decreasing Weight

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Nov 7, 2009 Cherrine Banks

Holiday dieters can enjoy drinking holiday beverages with weight loss goals. Planning is important ,since alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks can add unwanted calories.

The holidays provide time to enjoy fun with friends. Dieters may be aware of maintaining weight loss by choosing low-calorie holiday foods, including leaner meats and vegetables, but some dieters may forget about the extra calories from holiday beverages.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage consumption can interfere with a healthy eating plan. Holiday dieters should consider the number of calories with each drink during a holiday function and make healthier holiday beverage choices.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

A holiday dieter can use simple planning before enjoying a gathering. One holiday suggestion is drinking plain water to prevent dehydration. Some other holiday drinking suggestions include:

  • Eating a light meal before attending a holiday party - Some choices include a whole-wheat turkey sandwich, a bowl of bran cereal or a cup of turkey soup.
  • Drinking non-alcoholic drinks with light snacks - Examples of light snacks include whole-wheat crackers with reduced-fat cheese and diced celery spread with peanut butter.
  • Choosing low-fat versions of holiday beverages - Classic eggnog is a calorie-rich holiday beverage which may be prepared with whole milk and eggs. Ask the party host about beverage ingredients.

Alcoholic Drinks

Drinking alcoholic drinks at parties is a common activity. Alcoholic beverages can hamper weight loss since alcoholic beverages contain calories. For instance, a 4-ounce glass of wine has approximately 100 calories and a regular beer contains approximately 140 calories. The exact calories will depend on the glass size.

Some tips for enjoying a holiday party with alcohol present include:

  • switching between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to reduce caloric intake
  • limiting the amount of alcoholic drinks to one or two glasses. Dieters can drink at the beginning and the middle of the party.
  • eating a low-calorie, low-sodium snack such as a green salad filled with sliced cucumbers and carrots. Snacking can help the stomach fill fuller and reduce alcohol consumption.

Additional Tips for Holiday Party Weight Loss

Dieters should not concentrate on food and drinks at a holiday function. One weight loss method is spending time with party guests away from a tempting buffet table. Other holiday weight loss methods involve:

  • taking a walk with a fellow party guest to burn calories around the house or building
  • participating in non-food activities such as board and card games
  • helping the hostess with organizing the buffet table or cleaning duties to keep the hands and mind occupied

Holiday dieters who are prepared with ideas for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages can reduce the amount of calories consumed. Non-drinking activities should include light physical activity to help achieve weight loss goals.

Sources:

WebMD

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