Health Hacks For Cocktail Lovers

[caption id="attachment_823585" align="aligncenter" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/African Woman with golden necklaces in a bar drinking frozen daiquiri[/caption] Maybe you wind down each night with a cocktail. Maybe you visited your doctor recently, and she said, “You shouldn’t do that.” Maybe you said, “Well, I’m not stopping, so what other health advice do you have for me?” If you live for happy hour with friends, Margarita Mondays, Mimosa Sundays, and splitting a bottle of wine with your boo over dinner, you do need to take some steps to watch out for your health, but you don’t need to give up your love of cocktails. There are people who remain perfectly healthy into their 90s who have a drink each night, and people who stay sober but face other health ailments, regardless. That’s just to say that, you can usually indulge one of your vices, so long as you balance them out with healthy habits. Here are health tips for cocktail lovers. [caption id="attachment_707659" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Have water with every drink

Make it a non-negotiable rule that each time you order a cocktail, you order a glass of water with it. If the server doesn’t mind leaving the pitcher of water with you, then even better. This will help your body detox the booze, and prevent headaches.         [caption id="attachment_713130" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

And have booze/club soda

If you don’t like double-fisting, you could make each drink a (insert booze of choice here) and club soda, or water. That way, your hydration is built right into your cocktail.         [caption id="attachment_722647" align="alignleft" width="414"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Eat before drinking

If you wait to order food at the bar, after your first cocktail, you’ll be loosened up and probably won’t order the healthiest thing. When you’re sober, you can plan a healthy, balanced meal that will sustain you throughout the night.         [caption id="attachment_701294" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Eat a good meal before drinking

Try to have a healthy meal before drinking. If you eat an unhealthy one, then when you drink, you may have the mindset, “I already ruined my health tonight” which will drive you to drink more, and eat more.       [caption id="attachment_622435" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Always opt for the clear stuff

Clear spirits have lower levels of the toxic compounds that are created during fermentation, so they can be easier on your liver and tend to be lower in calories than the dark stuff. [caption id="attachment_696724" align="alignleft" width="414"] Shutterstock[/caption]

But dark beer has its benefits

When it comes to beer, light beer has fewer calories than dark beer, but if your waistline isn’t of concern, you should know that stouts actually boast antioxidants.         [caption id="attachment_715837" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Red wine is another good dark option

When it comes to wine, choose the red stuff. Red wine contains antioxidants that can boost your heart health, and prevent certain coronary artery conditions.           [caption id="attachment_622852" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Incorporate citrus

Greyhounds may be a great option because they use clear alcohol and contain citrus. Citrus boosts your immune system, which you need if you’re a drinker because alcohol depletes your immune system. [caption id="attachment_707855" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Make a point of talking to people

The best way to pace yourself is to actually make a point of catching up with people. Ask your friends questions! Tell stories! If you are quiet and bored, it’s easy to drink too much.           [caption id="attachment_616985" align="alignleft" width="406"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Go to pricey or busy places

Force yourself to pace yourself by going to places that are either very busy or very expensive. If they’re busy, then it will naturally take a long time to get another drink and if they’re expensive, then you’ll naturally limit how much you order.       [caption id="attachment_717587" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Make special cocktails at home

When drinking at home, don’t just have vodka and OJ. Instead, look up unique, craft cocktail recipes. If you spend time making the drink, then you’ll spend more time savoring it rather than chugging it.         [caption id="attachment_707625" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Prep your drunk food

If you know you have to eat when you’re drunk, then prepare healthy food before drinking. This way, you won’t feel as tempted by the taco trucks and drive-throughs. (But tip: if you do hit up the taco trucks, get simple street tacos because they’re mostly protein).       [caption id="attachment_693711" align="alignleft" width="500"] Shutterstock.com/Greyhound cocktail[/caption]

The fewer ingredients, the better

When looking at a cocktail list, know that the fewer ingredients a drink has, the better. Once tons of mixers and liquors are added, the calories and toxins begin adding up, too. [caption id="attachment_701349" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Only drink a lot when you can sleep a lot

Drinking a lot and sleeping a little does a number on your body—it screws up your brain chemistry, can make you depressed, causes serious bags under your eyes and is a recipe for the worst hangovers.       [caption id="attachment_608315" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Beware of happy hour menus

They’re usually loaded with the unhealthy food because that’s what the restaurant can afford to make cheap (you know, like cheesy tater tots). You’re better off ordering a nice salad or entrée off of the regular menu, than ordering several happy hour items.

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