Making a Better Cocktail

When I first started writing this post the title was "Healthy Cocktail Options." But I then realized that a healthy cocktail is something that simply does not exist. Alcohol is pretty much your number one enemy if you are trying to lose weight, and indulging to frequently can really derail your efforts. However it is not realistic to think that you'll never enjoy a few drinks with friends. There are ways to minimize the negative impact cocktails can have on your healthy diet.

1. Watch your mixers. Most cocktails don't start out as diet disasters, but adding different mixers can really up the calories on what could have been a modest drink. Avoiding mixers all together or choosing something like orange juice or tonic water can be a good way to keep your drinks more modest.
2. Mind your portions. Watch how much alcohol your pouring into your cup. First off, you don't want to have too much too quickly anyway. Secondly, controlling your portions throughout the night will help you make better choices in regards to what else you're putting into your body. If you're too drunk too fast, you may be more likely to say yes to going out for cheeseburgers.
3. Alternate your drinks. Switching back and forth between something alcoholic and a glass of water can be a good way to keep yourself in check while also warding off a possible hangover the next morning. Alcohol dehydrates your body so it is important to keep sipping water throughout the night. Try drinking a full glass of water for every drink you have.
4. Choose light. Light beers are essentially low-carb beers. I would recommend going with a light beer if you're going to drink. They have fewer calories but the same amount of alcohol as a regular drink. A light beer will probably have about 30-50 fewer calories per bottle then a regular one.
5. Indulge occasionally. If you don't drink often or it is a special occasion the best advice I have for you would be is to not worry abou it too much. These tips will help you keep your head and feel good the next day. But you also need to have fun and relax. Once pina colada is not going to screw up your healthy eating for the rest of your life, or even the rest of your week. 

How do you stay healthy when you go out for drinks?