Thursday, March 25, 2010

Alcohol rules!

I really love it. I could have two glasses a day, but I don't, because wine lets my guard down and I eat more.

Which brings me to some guidelines from the South Beach Diet. that I think are so terrific, worthy of a repost. I've also included what makes a serving of alcohol, because I tend to have a heavy hand.

South Beach's drinking tips:

  1. Don’t drink too early in the evening because you may be tempted to have several drinks, and the calories start to add up.
  2. Do alternate with seltzer and water to stay properly hydrated. You can also add seltzer to your wine for a refreshing spritzer.
  3. Do eat a nutritious meal or snack containing lean protein before you start drinking. The protein helps to stabilize blood sugar and prevent cravings.
  4. Do opt for red wine over white. Red wine is a better choice because it contains higher amounts of the powerful antioxidant resveratrol, which is found in grape skins.
  5. Don’t go for regular beer; stick with light beer and drink it with meals.
  6. Do choose extra-brut champagne, which has no added sugar or very little added sugar. Brut and extra-dry varieties of champagne have only a little more added sugar and are acceptable second choices.
  7. Do choose sugar-free mixers for cocktails. Sugar-free sodas, flavored waters, vegetable-juice cocktail, diet tonic, club soda, or seltzer are your best bests. Be sure to avoid regular sodas, regular tonic, and fruit juices. Another tip? Use sugar-free powdered drink mixes to make punch or other fruit-flavored cocktails.
  8. Do top your drink with garnishes like lemon and lime wedges, olives, or celery, but skip maraschino cherries, which are packed with sugar.
Servings:
  • Red and white wine (one serving = 4 to 5 oz.)
  • Champagne (one serving = 4 to 5 oz.)
  • Vodka (one serving = 1 1/2 oz., which is a standard shot glass)
  • Gin (one serving = 1 1/2 oz.)
  • Rum (one serving = 1 1/2 oz.)
  • Bourbon (one serving = 1 1/2 oz.)
  • Light beer (one serving = 12 oz.)

Avoid:

  • Regular beer
  • Brandy
  • Port wine
  • Liqueurs (including Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream, Amaretto, Grand Marnier, schnapps, etc.)
  • Sherry
  • Wine coolers (often contain a lot of added sugar)

3 comments:

  1. Isn't it the case that the best booze to drink is tequila because it is so low on the glycemic index? It's made from cactus, the same plant that gives us agave.

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  2. just checked the calorie count and it is the same as all the other liquors. But I'll keep checking the glycemic index. Any excuse!

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  3. If I'm going to continue to drink wine in the evening, I'm going to get it in those bottles like you get on planes. Two bottles and I'm done! I, too tend to over-pour for myself.

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