Looking For a Place To Cut Calories?

As you look for ways to cut calories in 2007, remember that one major source of "empty calories" could be alcoholic drinks. It's true that research has found some heart-healthy benefits to consuming alcohol in moderation (one drink or less per day), the harmful effects of too much alcohol in the diet definitely outweigh its benefits. Among these harmful affects are an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, liver damage, and extra weight gain.

It's easy to forget about calories when we are drinking them. The sugar in mixed drinks such as a 10-ounce Margarita may have as many calories as two candy bars.

One serving of alcohol has 100 to 150 calories. Use these guidelines to help you gauge the serving amounts for a typical alcoholic drink:

• A 5-ounce glass of wine

• A 12-ounce wine cooler

• A 12-ounce beer

• One shot of liquor

If you include alcohol in your diet, do so in moderation and try the following tips to help reduce the extra calories:

• Exercise portion control with your alcohol as well as with your food.

• Mix alcohol with diet instead of regular, high-sugar beverages.

• Sip drinks slowly and alternate between alcohol and water to limit your total alcohol consumption over the course of an evening.

• Select light beer options to help decrease total calories.

• Cut wine calories in half by adding carbonated water and making a spritzer.