Healthy Holidays Part 6- Lighter Libations

New Year's Eve is tomorrow night, and if you're like the majority of Americans, whether you're staying in or going out you're likely to have a couple of drinks to celebrate the occasion.  Of course you've probably already heard that drinking alcohol is counterproductive to diet efforts and that overindulging can be dangerous to your health, but did you know that alcohol of ANY kind can contribute to the gathering of fat around the midsection, known as the 'beer belly'?  That's right- drinking any type of alcohol, not just beer, has been linked to the production and storage of dangerous visceral fat, fat surrounding the internal organs, that can lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and more.  Even if you are thin or look healthy, eating or drinking the wrong types of fuel too often, can cause this visceral fat to develop and essentially hide out under the muscles.  If that isn't incentive enough to watch your alcohol intake this New Year's, I don't know what is!

That said, you can be healthy and still enjoy fun, social occasions such as New Year's Eve!  While I can't really add nutritional value to alcohol or reduce its negative effects, I can certainly give you a few options to reduce the calorie content of your cocktails and a few tips to enjoying the holiday a bit more guilt-free.

If you're staying in:

- Get people up and having fun!  Rock Band, Wii sports, Raving Rabbids, Just Dance, and many other movement-based games can be very entertaining.  Old fashioned games like Twister and charades are still a blast, too!

- Don't just sit around waiting for the ball to drop on tv... Play upbeat music to encourage folks to dance in the New Year!

- Enjoy these, slightly healthier festive drinks:

Lighter Mulled Wine

I love red wine in recipes because it's really the only alcohol with proven positive effects on the body.  So try this classic recipe I learned in England (made a bit lighter with the help of agave) and reap all the antioxidant benefits of flavonoids that this tasty, warm, spiced red wine has to offer.

What you'll need:

- 5 Whole Cloves

- 1 Cinnamon Stick

- 1 Cup of Water to simmer (more may be necessary)

- 2 Oranges

- 1/4 cup of Agave Syrup

- A bottle of red wine (simple red table wine will do)

What to do:

- Boil the 1 cup of water in a saucepan large enough to hold your finished product.

- Peel the oranges and reserve both the peels and the juice.

- Once the water is boiling, lower heat and add agave syrup, juice and peel from the oranges, cloves, and cinnamon stick.

- Simmer on low for about an hour, checking regularly and adding water as needed to keep from drying.

- Add red wine and warm to the desired temperature.

- Strain out any solids and serve in festive mugs.

- Enjoy!

Serves 6,  150 calories per serving

Sparkling Resolution Punch

Again, I really do love using red wine in recipes because it has the added kick of antioxidants, but white wine could work in this one as well.  I was first introduced to this drink in Mexico, where it was known as the Clementina, then I brought it home and tweaked it to make it a bit more diet-friendly, but still just as tasty!

- The Seeds of 1 Pomegranate 

- 1 Firm Apple

- 1 Orange

- 1 Lime

- A bottle of inexpensive red wine

- 150 ml Vodka (about 5 shots)

- 5 cups of Diet Sprite or Diet 7up (a little more than half of a 2 liter bottle)

What to do:

- First freeze the pomegranate seeds in enough water sufficient to fill the bundt pan.

- Chop the fruit and place in a pretty punch bowl.

- Pour vodka, then red wine, and diet sprite or 7up into the punch bowl.

- Add more vodka to achieve desired strength.

- Carefully place the ice into the punch bowl and serve in glasses over ice.

- Enjoy!

Serves 6-8, 100 calories per serving

Detox Water

Just like the tasty water served in spas- a delicious option that's alcohol (and calorie) free for the designated drivers!  I first tried this at a family party and was hooked- it's so tasty!

What you'll need:

- 1 Gallon of Water

- 2 Lemons

- 1 Small Cucumber

- Mint leaves to taste (I like a lot of mint, so I use at least 20 leaves)

What to do:

- Wash and thinly slice the fruits.

- Place the fruits and mint leaves into a large jug.

- Add water, stir, and refrigerate.

- Serve over ice.

- Enjoy!

If you're going out:

- Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water.  This keeps your calorie intake (and cost) down, as well as giving your body a chance to process the alcohol.  You'll be less likely to overindulge and lose control of your evening (and diet).

- Opt for lower calorie mixers such as diet soda or tonic water, or healthier mixers with some nutritional benefit such as tomato or orange juice (cranberry juice in bars is likely a juice cocktail with tons of added sugar).

- Keep moving!  You're out to enjoy the night, so do just that- dance, stand up and move around, mingle, and be merry.  Burn those calories off, don't sit around!

- Know the typical calories in each type of liquor and choose accordingly.  Also know that higher proof alcohol comes with higher calorie content!  I like to look up food and drink calories at myfitnesspal.com just because I think they have such an extensive database to choose from.

Regardless of whether you choose to go out or stay in to celebrate New Year's Eve, please remember to party responsibly.  Never drive drunk or allow anyone who's had too much to drink to drive either... That's my little holiday PSA!  Enjoy your holiday, have lots of fun, and watch this space for tips on writing more effective resolutions this year!

Take Care,

Sarah