Justine SanFilippo, a certified health coach, nutritionist, and personal trainer, lends LATF some 8 tips to follow this holiday season:
Know What You are Drinking
Alcoholic beverages come in many different calorie ranges.Since they contain empty calories no matter what, we might as well drink those with the fewest amount of calories.Here are some examples of some low-calorie options:
1 Glass of Red or White Wine – 120 cals
1 Glass of Champagne – 77 cals
1 Glass White Wine Spritzer – 90 cals
1oz Vodka or Gin with Club Soda – 64 cals
12oz Light beer 55-120 cals
Drink water
Alcohol acts a diuretic, which causes dehydration.Becoming too dehydrated can be unhealthy and possibly even dangerous in extreme circumstances because each cell in the body craves water to function properly.To maintain your mental sharpness, reduce the calories you intake and still enjoy the festivities, be sure to drink water before you go the party, as well as after each alcoholic beverage.
Set a drink limit before you leave
Planning is always important when trying to reduce or maintain your waistline, from planning meals and snacks to planning workouts.The same is true for planning before you go to the party.Give yourself a guideline to enjoy a drink maximum (I would recommend a 2 drink max) and then call it a day and stick to water.
Drink coconut water
If you find yourself drinking more than you had planned, or that the alcohol hits you more than you would have liked, you may find yourself with a bit of a hangover.The best solution to help you feel better sooner is to drink coconut water!Most brands contain about 6 times more potassium than a banana, which is one of the electrolytes lost when consuming alcohol.Drink some coconut water before you go to bed and when you wake up, and you’ll be feeling better in no time.
Eat before you go to the party
It is veryimportant to have some food on your stomach before you go to the party.Why?When a person drinks alcohol on an empty stomach, there is no food to absorb the alcohol, so the effects are stronger.By eating before you leave, not only will you have some food on your stomach, but the appetizers and desserts at the buffet table won’t be nearly as tempting.
Sip, don’t chug
Chugging at parties may have been something that was cool in college, but in a professional setting with friends and colleagues, it’s never a good idea.Sip your favorite beverage while you network, talk to your friends and have a good time and still maintain professionalism.
Select a designated driver or take a cab
As always, it is important to be safe during the holiday season, especially if you know you are going to go to a party and drink alcohol.Talk to your friends and select a designated driver for the evening, or split a cab (or even a car service – it’s the holidays after all!) That way you can ensure that everyone will not only have fun but be safe as well.
You don’t have to drink
Nobody says you have to drink at a holiday party!If you are serious about maintaining or slimming your waistline during the holiday season, do what is true for you.Have a seltzer water with a twist of lemon or lime instead and nobody will know the difference!
Check out Justine’s books: Lose Your Inches Without Losing Your Mind! 10 Simple Weeks to a Slimmer Waistline and a Healthier You.