Date:  April 10, 2007

1. Your drink selections are equally as important as your high quality food choices as they can be as many or more calories than your food-and these are usually not nutritious calories.

2. If you are going to have an alcoholic beverage, wine is the best choice.  a 31/2 ounce glass has approximately 75 calories if dry and up to 160 for the sweeter selections.  Wine has been shown to have health benefits in moderation which is 1 glass for women or 2 glasses for men.

3. Alcoholic beverages are high in calories as a result of the liquor and whatever else it is mixed with.  Beer, especially light, a 12 oz. serving, would be a good choice if not having wine.  Remember juices and tonic waters are high in sugar and calories, club soda is a much better choice at no calories, and drink mixes such as daiquiri or pina colada mixes are very high in sugar and calories.  Ice cream drinks and any cream drink is high in sugar, calories, and fat so really watch them.  

4. Do not begin with an alcoholic beverage on an empty stomach as it will usually cause you to eat and drink more.

5. Sip your water in between your alcoholic beverage so you consume less alcohol and keep hydrated.

6. Soft drinks are also high in calories and sugar so avoid them.  A diet soda (1 can is moderation per day) is a much better choice but remember, do not over do just because it is diet-still empty calories of no nutritive value that may have negative health and weight gain effects when overdone.

7. There are many flavored teas and waters available now, but if more than 10 calories per serving, beware.  They have lots of sugar or even worse, high fructose corn syrup-avoid them as well.  Up to 10 calories per serving tells you it is a good choice.

8. After dinner enjoy your coffee or tea with an artificial sweetener and skim milk.  Remember that cream and sugar are calories that add up quickly as you sip away.

Sip whatever your beverage choice and enjoy.  Remember a serving size and avoid those super size options that may seem less costly, but are usually  not so healthy drink in moderation let alone in the giant size. 

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