Low calorie alcohol

Going out for a weekend boogie should be a welcome treat at the end of the working week, but boozy nights out are often responsible for many diet downfalls. Try our guide to low calorie alcohol to get ahead of the game.

Boring though it may be, your best bet for a healthy waistline (and liver) is to avoid alcohol altogether or stick to the NHS’ recommended daily intake of no more than 2-3 alcohol units per day for women.

However, if you do want to drink when you’re on a night out, follow our guide for minimal diet damage when drinking.

DITCH

1. Cocktails
Cocktails are so-called due to their bizarre mix of ingredients. Be it sugar, cream, or just a dubious mix of different kinds of booze, they’re not only nutritionally dubious but a sure fire route to hangover town.

2. Alcopops
Packed full of sugar, calorie heavy and usually a frightening fluorescent colour, these bubbly bottles are no good for us at all!

3. Cider
A popular choice when the sun is shining, but steer clear of cider as it can can contain as many calories as a doughnut, possibly the least diet friendly food going! Check out more comparisons at Drink Aware.

DRINK

1. Clear spirits
Clear spirits tend to contain fewer calories than dark ones, but also be wary of your mixer. Try swapping a dark rum and coke for a vodka, lime and soda.

2. Spritzers
Adding soda water to your wine won’t change the number of units in the glass, but it will mean that your drink lasts longer so you’ll refill it less often, sneaky!

3. Light beers
For beer without the beer belly, several brands now offer ‘light’ beers that you can enjoy guilt-free!

Drinking water between alcoholic drinks will also slow your alcohol intake and will help stave off the dreaded hangover. If you do over indulge, try fixing a healthy breakfast or treat yourself to some hangover busting food.