Hello folks!  After a nice little vacay…I’m back and starting to get caught up with schoolwork, emails, and most importantly…friends.  One of my favorite parts of summer in the city is how much more social everyone is, but not in a crazed New Yorker kind of way.  The pace is slower (especially in this heat!).  There is really nothing better than sitting outside on a lazy weekend evening, having a nice glass of wine and just plain old hanging out.  But as many a college freshman knows…drinking can be not so great for your diet.  A 6 -oz pina colada, for example, is, on average,  378 calories!  And an 8 oz margarita is 280!  And that definitely won’t get you into your skinny jeans come October.

My best advice for drinking and staying healthy and fit is this: K-I-S.  Keep it simple!  The simpler your drink — the less calories there are in it.  The more sugary, caloric add-ins in a drink, the worse it is for your waistline.  That’s simple enough right!  But, you can still have a pretty fabulous cocktail or alcoholic beverage by knowing how to add flavor and not fat.  Here are my picks for top Summer drinks that won’t break the calorie bank.

Wine:

Wine is by far my favorite drink any time of year.  Especially in the summer, a nice cold glass of Chardonnay or Riesling can quench any thirst.  Most wines go for about 120 calories for 6 oz (a generously-poured drink).  White wines are definitely a preference during the summer, but rosés have also been making a comeback as of late and many restaurants/bars serve some good ones.

Champagne

If you’re feeling fancy…champagne is always a good, low-calorie choice for celebrating!  A 5 oz glass of champagne ranges from 100-120 calories.  You can jazz it up a little by putting a splash (just a splash!) of grapefruit or pineapple juice in it.

Hard Alcohol

Hard alcohol has much more calories per oz than wine or beer, due to its higher alcohol content, which is why it is often mixed with a nonalcoholic beverage.  1.5 oz of most hard alcohols (tequila, vodka, whiskey, gin) is about 104 calories.  So, the best thing to do is either order is straight up (not my personal favorite), or with noncaloric mixers such as soda.  Many vodkas are now infused with different flavors, which can help make a boring vodka soda a lot more exciting.  My personal favorites are blueberry vodka and grapefruit or ruby red vodka.  Another great cocktail (which sounds incredibly stupid to say to a bartender…but is actually quite delicious) is the “skinnygirl margarita” made famous by Bethenny Frankel of the Real Housewives of New York.  Basically, you ask a bartender to give you tequila, lime juice, and a splash of grand marnier (or other orange liqueur).  It’s only 100 calories and tastes great — just make sure the bartender doesn’t roll his eyes at you.

Light Beer

What would summer be without a cold brewsky??  But, be careful!  Light beers can add up quick because they are much easier to drink than a glass of wine or a cocktail.  Hands down, Amstel light is my favorite light beer (and the healthiest at about 95 calories a bottle).  I also like a Corona Light with a lime in it — very refreshing on a hot summer’s day.  Light beers usually range from 95-120 calories.

As long as alcohol is enjoyed (in MODERATION), it won’t ruin your health and well-being and can definitely be a regular part of your diet.  My best advice is to KNOW THYSELF.  If you are a super lightweight when it comes to drinking (i’m not mentioning any names here but the author may or may not be one), nurse your drink.  Don’t be like a kid in a candy store and take it down with one gulp.  You don’t want to be a sloppy mess at any party — it’s really unattractive and not good for you either!  Most women should only be having one or two drinks in a sitting, and men can have three if you’re drinking moderately.  We are all human of course and there are definitely times when you will drink more than that.  But as a regular guide for good health – drink slowly and proceed with caution!  And remember…going out for a drink isn’t just about the drink — it’s about the best parts of summer: relaxing and spending time with friends and family.