Diet Happy Hour Tips & Tricks

happy hour diet Worried about staying on your diet when the gang’s going out for drinks? No problem! It’s all about planning ahead, staying in control, and realizing that there’s far more to hanging out with your friends than just drinking. Try these tips for keeping your edge:

1. Add water or ice to hard drinks to dilute them.
2. Order your mixed drinks made with diet soda or club soda (which have no calories) instead of higher-calorie tonic or juices.
3. Add club soda to wine for a larger drink with no added calories.
4. Make yourself drink a glass of water or diet soda with lemon between each alcoholic drink to help fill you up and space out your drinks.
5. Drink slowly and set down your drink between each sip; don’t hold it in your hand.
6. Eat the ice in your drink.
7. Don’t sit at the bar; head outdoors or to the bathroom for a breather during parties or when you’re out and make yourself “fight the traffic” to the bar each time you want another drink.
8. Dance.
9. Wherever you’re partying, pronounce yourself the designated driver; at most bars, the soda is free for this person.

Try these tricks the next time you’re out and you’ll be just a little less likely (and maybe a little less equipped) to “belly” up to the bar!

Please consult your physician before starting any exercise program.

Reprinted from Nutrisystem.