Healthy Habits: Skinny Cocktails

Alcoholic drinks can be so incredibly damaging to one's weight-loss goals. Please, please, please, stop consuming so many calories in your drinks! A study done by Prevention Magazine showed that having a second cocktail can reduce your body's fat-burning ability by up to 73%. That's scary stuff!  

It's OK to enjoy a cocktail, but try to do so reasonably. Avoid shots and multiple beers, which are both full of empty calories. Don't try to keep up with the boys. If you're choosing a mixed drink, try to avoid the sugary extras, such a colas and juices.

Wine can be a good choice. Some experts prefer that you drink white wine, citing that it is lower in carbs. Others state that red wine is better because of it's heart-healthy benefits. Whichever you choose, try to limit yourself to one or two glasses. And be sure that your glasses are just 4oz each! (For most wine glasses, this is about half full.) 

Here's some skinny cocktails to enjoy this summer: 

White Citrus Sangria 

4 servings

1 bottle Lipton 100% Natural Diet Green Tea with Citrus

1 3/4 cups white wine

1/4 cup orange juice

1 orange, sliced

1 lemon, sliced

1 lime, sliced 

Combine Lipton Tea and juices in large pitcher. Stir in fruit, and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve in ice-filled glasses. 

Calories: 100 per serving. 

Strawberry Margaritas 

4 servings 

3 1/2 cups strawberries

2 1/2 cups crushed ice

1/2 cup tequila

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons Cointreau (orange-flavored liqueur) 

Lime wedges (optional)

Combine strawberries, ice, tequila, lime juice, sugar, and liqueur in a blender, and process until the mixture is smooth. Pour the margaritas into 4 large glasses. Garnish margaritas with a lime wedge, if desired. Serve immediately. 

Calories: 198 per serving.