One of the biggest pitfalls staying true to eating clean is temptation at social gatherings. Happy hours, bar gatherings, and all-night-dance-party-ragers (is that what the kids still call it these days?) can wreak havoc on your eating and drinking choices. How can you stay healthy but not labeled as “that girl” who only orders a vodka soda and has a crumb (ok maybe two) of shared appetizers?
Well, you can have your cake booze and eat drink it too when you are staying healthy during happy hour.
Mindful ordering your alcoholic beverage(s) can spare you extra calories and sugar. Here are some good (or better) choices when you are out with friends, enjoying a spirit or two.
Spirits & Cocktails
Order a mojito and ask for half the simple syrup or none at all. The sugary addition to this classic minty bev is what cranks up the calories. Or even better, order it made with gin, club soda, lemon juice, and extra mint.
Craving a morning (or afternoon, or evening) Bloody Mary? Ask for half the tomato juice (which is usually loaded with sodium) and add club soda for a light blast.
Fall back on the go-to drink, a vodka soda with extra lime. Yeah, I know I dissed it earlier, but it really is one of the best low-calorie drinks you can order. If the establishment has fruit, try it with a juiced orange wedge or ask for muddled watermelon/raspberries/strawberries.
Try a white wine spritzer – half wine, half club soda. The carbonated water actually makes this drink feel like a light summer treat and you omit extra calories and sugar.
Or ask for your old trusty friend, red wine. At least you are consuming heart-healthy antioxidants, plus red wine typically boasts less sugar that white.
Shoot for a ‘healthier margarita’. Try a skinny version made with club soda, tequila, extra lime and a little salt on the rim.
Mmmmm, Moscow Mule – ask for half the ginger beer (which is insanely high in sugar) and sub the other half with club soda.
Bar Grub
Now that you have some great boozy options, what about the grub? This is by far the hardest temptation (in my ‘happy-hour-expert’ opinion). Social eating will draw anyone in like a moth to a flame. If your friends were jumping off a cliff, would you? Of course not. But if your friends were pounding truffle fries, quesadillas and pita bread during happy hour, would you? Well yeah!
To help combat the temptation, order some healthier alternatives like guacamole and ask for half veggies, half chips. Check the menu for marinated olives or fresh spring rolls. Any protein options? That’s another easy go-to (always ask for grilled, not fried). Try chicken skewers, grilled/steamed fish or shrimp cocktail (skip the cocktail sauce). Go ahead and order those mini siders but ask for them in lettuce wraps or with tomato slices vs buns. If all else fails, move the greasy, heavy food to the other end of the table to avoid mindless snacking.
Making smart choices while being a social butterfly will keep you on the healthy wagon while still enjoying the happy hour train. Choo choo!
Chrissy – I found your stie though mil blogging buddies. I like that your posts are all enveloped in feasibility. A “healthy” life was difficult for me, in part because it seemed you were either “health nut” or “alcoholic spinster”. But there’s no huge sacrifice or time commitment in your bits.
Recently, I attempted a “quick and healthy” curry that was supposed to take 30 minutes to cook. It took me three hours. I stopped miway though preparation of grating rare asian vegetables to throw a piece of ginger in a tantum and cry. The curry eventually came out good, but I remember thinking “That kitchness site recipe for greek kitchen was not nearly as painful”.
Thank you for your honesty and your helpfulness.
Keep it up!
Hi Andi – I’m sorry your curry turned out to be a disaster! That’s so frustrating! Hopefully you will find my recipes are easy and do-able! At least that is my goal. Thanks for stopping by and keep me posted if you run in to any road blocks!
Great tips! I was just talking about this to one of my clients.
I like the wine spritzer idea!
Thanks Angelena! Mmmm white wine spritzers are like my favorite summer beverage!
Such good tips!
Thanks Stacey!
Bar food is the WORST! I always try and have soda water in most of my drinks to cut out the sugary sodas or juices.
You are already on top of your game Alanna! There are SO many great restaurants and bars in DC (we used to live there) so I know how tempting it can all be!!
Really good tips! Moderation is always the best way!
Thanks Cynthia. You are SO right!
Thank you for these tips. I had an experience yesterday at a potluck at work, while not Happy Hour, it still was a socializing event and full of NOT healthy food… I was able to be there and socialize and then go back to my desk after and eat my healthy lunch. I did not even have one bite!! Annie @ Plus Size to Downsized
Potlucks are the WORST! I mean, they are awesome, but the worst as far as temptation! I always try to bring a ‘healthy’ option so there is at least one thing I can eat without feeling gross. That’s amazing you had the willpower to just walk away. Good on you!!
vodka (GF preferred), club soda and a wedge of lime or muddled cucumbers – mmm. Great Mojito options!!
That sounds amazing Shar!
I am a big wine drinker:) Red wine is at the top of my favorites list! I also love a vodka soda with lemon and lime as well.
You? And wine? Based on your blog name, I would have never guessed that! 😉 Can’t fault you for loving red wine – it’s pretty much my fav too!
I love these tips! And I also love the idea of veggies dipped in Guac! Great idea!
Thanks Krystal! Anything dipped in guac is pretty much fantastic.
I don’t normally go to Happy Hours but these are good tips. I need to stick to the red wines instead of white.
Hi Tirralan – I rarely go to happy hours anymore either (I blame that on having a very active one-year-old)! But hey, we can still drink our reds at home, right?!
+1 for vodka soda with extra lime! I also love cucumbers/carrots/celery with guac so asking for veggies is a great idea!
It’s totally a classic! That combined with veggies and guac = refreshing perfection!
I wish I had read something like this years ago a long time ago – I love doing happy hour with girlfriends, but I always get a bit nervous when I do because it feels like there is no possible way to be ‘good’ about it. Now that I read this I realize how easy it actually is to order drinks with half the sugar and snack on the healthier options…I’m craving guacamole now that you’ve mentioned it haha! Love this!
Hey Sarah. Thanks for your comment. I know exactly how you feel/felt! It’s amazing how simple little tweaks can totally make a seemingly naughty situation into something great. And p.s. I crave guac pretty much all day, every day 😉
Great tips!! I love the idea of ordering a white wine spritzer. I make them at home and don’t know why I never thought to order one while out! So silly of me!
Thanks Dana! White wine spritzers are probably one of my all-time favorite adult bevies. So light and refreshing!