How to drink socially on the weekends?

kaspatore
kaspatore Posts: 95 Member
in Food and Nutrition
With my family and group of friends, there is typically always drinking involved in our get togethers. We are having a labor day cookout at our house and I'd still like to take part, just not over do it.

1. What drinks are fairly low cal that can get a good feeling going? I'd prefer not to take shots.

2. How do you make sure you don't over-do it as far as getting too drunk and passing out because you are on reduced calories.

3. If you don't feel wonderful the next day, what do you do to get to feeling better and back on track?

Thanks everyone!

(not drinking is not an option I'm interested in)

Replies

  • NoxDineen
    NoxDineen Posts: 497 Member
    Hard liquor will give you the best alcohol to calories ratio, so maybe something like vodka and diet coke? Alternately, red wine because although it has more calories it actually has health benefits as well?

    I haven't found a good way to not overdo it, let me know if you do. Maybe just announcing your intention before the drinking starts?

    As for the next day, Gatorade or water before going to bed helps a ton. Less useful the next morning. Just getting up and moving around a bit helps me. I take my dog to the park and walk around the shady off leash trails. I have a marathoner friend who does hungover runs as penance but I prefer not to risk throwing up in public. :(
  • QueenMother14
    QueenMother14 Posts: 438 Member
    Vanilla Rum and Diet Coke is low calorie.
  • SkinnyGirlCarrie
    SkinnyGirlCarrie Posts: 259 Member
    there's a wine called skinny vine that's low cal (I think like 68 cals per serving) and then you could add seltzer for volume if you like spritzers...then you could have a couple and not overdue it.
  • heel_striker
    heel_striker Posts: 32 Member
    Vodka, soda and lime-60 calories for 1 oz of vodka. Because the soda is just fizzy water you are keeping yourself hydrated as you go. As for the not passing out part, as long as you aren't doing shots you should know if you are getting to the point when you need to slow down. Have gatorade before bed and/or in the morning to help avoid/help hangover.
  • RosieRaz
    RosieRaz Posts: 282 Member
    I'm a fan of vodka/sodas with lime. Measure your shots in the drink and limit yourself to three. If after an hour you feel fine, go ahead and have another to limit your passing out on reduced calories.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    Keep ordering virgin rum and diet cokes. That's how I do it!

    Of course it's easier to not drink when you're allergic to rum, whiskey, rye...

    Anyway.... I'm useless in this thread haha.
  • kirkor
    kirkor Posts: 2,530 Member
    http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html
    http://rippedbody.jp/2011/08/18/how-to-drink-beer-and-not-screw-up-your-diet/
  • dimple_gal
    dimple_gal Posts: 139 Member
    Coconut water! I found drinking before I go to bed, is a preemptive strike on a hangover! It does taste nasty (although Kern's with Mango isn't bad), so drinking in the morning will either make you hurl or feel better, depending on your constitution. Also, a good idea is to alternate water with whatever you are drinking, to keep you from dehydrating and drinking too much in the first place. Wine spritzers are good for diluting your alcohol intake too.
  • AlyssaJoJo
    AlyssaJoJo Posts: 449 Member
    A lot of times I just skip the drinking - but when I do I have water inbetween each drink. I set a limit for my self to begin with. And I make sure to get a decent meal in before hand to help with whatever hangover (I get them super easy)

    But really - I love beer. I do. But if I were to drink every time someone around me had a beer I'd be over drinking by a lot. I was very very surprised to learn how easy it was to just have some water instead for the most part.
  • odddrums
    odddrums Posts: 342 Member
    I love this question! I've thought about this a lot because...reasons...

    Firstly, drinking slower is a huge help. I've mastered the fake sip and it really helps me nurse my drinks which keeps me from drinking too much.

    Anyway, it all depends on what you like to drink. If you drink beer, drink lighter beer or beer with less alcohol in it. Knowing your ABV is a big thing, and sticking around 3-4% like bud or coors light, or guiness, will help.

    Wine is great! Red is better because of the health benefits that NoxDineen mentioned, and also sweeter wines will give you a bigger headache because sugar and alcohol do NOT mix. This is also why I'd avoid pre-mixed things like smirnoff ice and hard lemonade, those are hangover makers.

    Hard alcohol is your friend. dark rum and coke [again, avoid flavored alcohols because of the sugar] or vodka and diet tonic are great. Best thing to do, find our which alcohol you like and stick with that, plus a diet soda. Mixed drinks are great also because of ICE! Ice will help you pace your drink and water it down so you don't drink too much. If you drink slowly enough for your ice to mostly melt before you finish, you'll be able to last longer and still enjoy a good drink.

    Hope this helps!

    EDIT: Hangovers! Drink water or coconut water before bed and when you wake up. Also pickle juice is the BEST hangover cure, just like a shot of it will give you salt, electrolytes and water you need to get back up. Otherwise, just flush it out with water and some greasy food.
  • Sweetvirgo63
    Sweetvirgo63 Posts: 119 Member
    I don't worry too much about overdoing it with booze on the weekend. I'm at the point where I only have 1-2 light beers a day during the weekend [I have none at all during the week] and if I have a glass of wine, I limit it to 4 oz [1/2 cup].

    Just like food, you're the only one responsible for what you drink and how much. Don't let others fill your glass of wine, you do it. If someone asks you if you want a drink, just tell them you want to wait a bit because you've just finished one, even if it's been 3 hours since your last beer or whatever.

    The choice to drink or not drink alcoholic beverages is your choice and don't fret about those who tease you or laugh at you for that decision [they'll be the sick ones with hangovers the next morning]. Depending on where you live, there are non-alcoholic beers out there that are quite tasty [Molson Excel for one but my favourite is Labatt's .5 available in most grocery stores - FYI you need to drink 10 beers to have the effect of 1 regular beer in alcohol strength but you'll pee it out fast, lol] and others that only have 3% alcohol like Canadian 67 available at the beer store. Have a good and happy long-weekend!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • EngineerPrincess
    EngineerPrincess Posts: 306 Member
    Rum and diet soda is hella gross. Could not finish: would have rather had the extra 200 calories, and I usually don't mind that diet soda taste. Maybe just have whatever mixed drinks light on sugar that you like, and save 300-400 calories from the day before or the day after? Your calories don't have to add up *every* day. It's your net over the whole week that counts. Seltzer water and flavored liquors are great. They'll keep you more hydrated and won't be nasty tasting.
  • Joannah700
    Joannah700 Posts: 2,665 Member
    Moscow mules aren't too bad in the calories and I keep seeing them (and variations) everywhere lately.

    On the hangovers, I was suffering myself and posted the topic last week. MFP folks had some lovely wisdom to share.

    People are wise.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1412717-hangover-cures?hl=hangover&page=1
  • MisterZ33
    MisterZ33 Posts: 567 Member
    i was going to make similar comments to what others have provided.

    enjoy yourself and get home safe.
  • 0somuchbetter0
    0somuchbetter0 Posts: 1,335 Member
    Please don't ruin good booze with diet soda! :tongue:

    When I'm in those situations I alternate -- I have a club soda with lime between every "real" drink.
  • Wasatcher
    Wasatcher Posts: 40 Member
    My GF has had problems in the past so to support her I don't drink at all on weekends. Before this abstinence began I had a lot of trepidation. Parties, bars etc. Everyone else drinks. Believe me… I'm not crusading but abstinence for many is not that big a deal. Doing some research I learned if it is a big deal there may be an issue.

    This is where research can be very enlightening and give you choices you may not have known you have. Knowledge is power. In my case I am happier eating the calories.
  • xcalygrl
    xcalygrl Posts: 1,897 Member
    I stick to rum and diet cokes with a squeeze of lime.

    I drink coconut water or 50-50 pedialyte to gatorade to make sure I'm feeling right as rain the next day.
  • kaspatore
    kaspatore Posts: 95 Member
    Great advice :) I do love dirty martinis, but need to learn how to make them how I like them. I don't plan on passing out, but unfortuneatly, I didn't eat enough at our last party and went from zero to hero to asleep in a VERY short period of time because i WAaaaay under ate. So just trying to avoid that.
  • throoper
    throoper Posts: 351 Member
    Eat a lot of low-calorie food like raw veggies with lowfat or nonfat greek yogurt dip (super simple to make - google it!) so you're not drinking on an empty stomach.

    I like white wine spritzers, which are 1/2 white wine 1/2 sparkling water. They keep you hydrated and slow down the alcohol and calorie consumption somewhat. Vodka and sparkling water and lime does the same. DO NOT drink beer or mixed drinks with soda or fruity stuff (margaritas, etc)!!!
  • myrtille87
    myrtille87 Posts: 122 Member
    Spirits with diet mixers are going to be your lowest calorie option, as others have said.

    Personally I can't stand diet coke / lemonade, etc. but I've found I don't mind slimline tonic. So gin and slimline for me.

    Wine isn't too bad either, just stick with small glasses and don't drink them too quickly. Maybe have a soft drink/water in between every alcoholic drink, if you have that level of self control.



    It kind of depends how often you go out drinking. Personally I don't do it that much because I live in a village and normally have to drive, so I don't mind going over my calories on the occasions I do. But if I was going out regularly I'd follow my advice above!



    If I drink too much, to be honest, I can't face eating anything much the next day. Last Friday I drank way to much, and on Saturday I managed to force down about 700 calories in the afternoon/evening, solely in the form of chocolate milk, peanut butter and bananas! Bananas are good for hangovers - potassium and stuff. The main thing your body needs is water though, so just drink as much as you can (preferably some before bed as well). I often include herbal teas like chamomile (I get bored of plain water very quickly) and also have some cheap "Recovery" sachets which are basically soluble paracetomol with antacids.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I ride my bike a lot and don't really worry about it...
  • tabicatinthehat
    tabicatinthehat Posts: 329 Member
    For lower calories I like Rum, Diet Coke and a lime. i think it's like 98 calories. I always tend to "overdo it" though.
  • icrushit
    icrushit Posts: 773 Member
    I'm generally a pretty light drinker these days, but when I do, I tend to just enjoy it, and tally the damage the following day. For me though its usually the very occasional night of drinking, so it doesn't affect things too much. That said, I'm leaning towards eating a little less during the week, and banking those calories for during the weekend, be it to use on food or alcohol, when I hit maintenance. Drinks-wise, I'm leaning towards bottled beer, as anything else, be it pints, wine or spirits tends to result in drinking more than I really wish to. At 150 calories a bottle, it's easy enough to set aside some calories during the week for it :)

Categories