Alcohol contains calories, and sometimes it’s easy to forget just how many of them you’re consuming when you’re out with your friends.

A cocktail here, a beer there, and before you know it, you’ve consumed a considerable amount of calories without even realizing it.

However, just because you want to socialize and have a good time, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your health or fitness. If you’re wary of putting on weight from drinking alcohol, this article is for you.

Here are some strategies that will help you reduce your calorie intake while still enjoying your favorite drinks.

Choose Low-Calorie Drinks

When it comes to choosing low-calorie drinks, you have to be very careful. Some drinks that are marketed as low in calories can still be very high in sugar, and that can result in an unhealthy sugar spike in your body.

To ensure you are choosing the right ones, you need to put your detective hat on and read through the labels carefully.

While beer, wine, and spirits contain calories, their count depends on the type and brand you choose. If you’re looking for low-calorie drinks, choosing a light beer is a good option. Generally, most light beers contain fewer calories than a regular one.

Also, dry wines and spirits without mixers tend to have lower calories compared to sweet wines and alcohol mixed with soda or juice.

Here are some low-calorie drink options:.

Light beer: About 95-100 calories per 12-ounce serving
Dry Red Wine: About 120 calories per 5 fluid ounces serving
Vodka soda: About 97 calories per serving

Avoid Drinking Premade Mixers

Premade mixers like margarita mixes and sweetened fruit juices might be convenient, but they can also be high in calories. A lot of these mixers may contain high sugar levels, which in turn means more calories.

Opting for unsweetened or freshly squeezed fruit juices can significantly lower the calories.

If you want to cut down on calories, ask the bartender to mix your drink with club soda or tonic water instead. Also, adding fresh fruits like lemon, lime, or citrus can add a natural flavor without any extra calories.

Additionally, adding flavors like mint or herbs like rosemary can significantly elevate the flavor without adding any calories.

Drink More Water

Drinking water plays a vital role in reducing your calorie intake if you plan to drink alcohol. Drinking water along with alcohol can help you keep your calorie intake in check.

Alcohol is a potent diuretic, which means it can accelerate the process of dehydration and make you feel thirsty.

Drinking water in-between your alcohol drinks can help keep you hydrated while also reducing your craving for alcohol.

Carrying a water bottle with you and sipping on it regularly is an excellent way to stay hydrated while socializing with your friends.

Watch Your Serving Size

Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol is not just harmful to your health; it can also significantly impact your calorie intake. Consuming too much alcohol means consuming too many calories, which in turn means more weight gain.

Keeping your serving size in check can significantly reduce the amount of calorie intake, increase your hydration levels and provide a better control over how much you drink.

Here are a few tips to reduce the serving size:.

Choose a smaller glass for your drink
Alternate between an alcoholic drink and a non-alcoholic drink
Set a limit on the number of drinks you will have for the night
Drink slowly and allow time for your body to register the alcohol.

Eat Before Drinking

Drinking on an empty stomach can significantly affect your calorie-intake. When you consume alcohol on an empty stomach, it can accelerate the absorption process, increasing your level of intoxication.

Eating before drinking can slow down the absorption process and help you feel fuller, which can reduce your total calorie intake.

A meal high in protein and fiber can significant reduce inducing hunger pangs, which can help you have more control over your total calorie intake.

Here are a few pre-drinking meal options:.

Grilled chicken or fish salad
Broiled fish with steamed vegetables
Chicken or vegetable stir-fry with brown rice
Black bean soup with whole grain flatbread

Avoid Drinking Late at Night

Drinking late at night is a common way to consume calories at the worst possible time for your body to burn. The entire calorie intake from late-night drinking would end up being stored as fat.

Consuming alcohol late at night can also disrupt sleep patterns, leading to unnecessary weight gain.

Avoid drinking late at night to ensure that the alcohol doesn’t significantly affect your calorie intake, increase your chances of gaining weight or disrupt your sleep cycles.

Choose Drinks with Low Alcohol Content

Choosing low-alcohol drinks can also be an efficient way to reduce your calorie intake while enjoying your favorite drink.

Low-alcohol drinks not only have fewer calories, but they’re also less intoxicating, which can significantly help in controlling the amount you drink.

Choosing low-alcohol and alcohol-free drinks can also help you keep your sugar levels in check and maintain a good hydration level.

Sip on Your Drink, Don’t Chug

Drinking your drink slowly, sipping it gives your body an opportunity to process the alcohol more efficiently, reducing your overall calorie intake.

Drinking at a slower pace can also increase the level of fullness, reducing your tendency to order more drink round the night.

Choose Vodka Over Dark Spirits

Choosing vodka over dark spirits like whiskey, rum or bourbon can go a long way in reducing your calorie intake.

Vodka has a considerably lower calorie count compared to darker spirits and is generally mixed with low-calorie mixers like soda and tonic water.

Switching to vodka is one of the many ways to keep your calorie count in check while socializing with your friends.

Final Thoughts

Drinking alcohol does not have to be a way of gaining unnecessary weight. With the above tips, you can still enjoy your favorite drinks while keeping your calorie intake in check.

Choosing low-calorie drinks, reducing your serving size, and hydrating often are few ways to reduce your calorie intake.