Watch those liquid calories

Smart drink sways that make it easier to avoid holiday weight gain

A latte on the way to work, a sweet iced tea with lunch, a pinot noir with dinner – if that sounds familiar, you might be drinking a lot more calories than you realize. Having just a couple of drinks a day can equal eating an extra meal. The trio above can clock in at nearly 700 calories, 11 grams of fat, and 75 grams of sugar!

Watching your liquid calories can be particularly tough during the holidays. But as you’ll see, you don’t have to limit yourself to diet drinks and water. Remember to read nutrition labels and be on the lookout for lighter versions of your favorite beverages. And when nothing will do but the real thing, simply cut back elsewhere and enjoy!

5 simple ways to cut calories

• Skip the whip. Whipped cream is a yummy topper, but it can add 100 calories or more, plus fat and sugars. Try going without or use nonfat.
• Add some fizz. Make any drink more festive with a few splashes of club soda. It has zero calories, fat, and sugars. Or try adding some flavored seltzer, another superlight swap.
• Lighten up. Make light eggnog with egg whites and nonfat milk instead of whole eggs and whole milk.
• Try OJ. Replace the orange-flavored liqueur in a cosmo with an ounce of fresh orange juice to cut around 80 calories.
• Go virgin. Skip the booze in any cocktail and trim about 100 calories per shot. Save the calories for when they’re really worth it!

Watch those add-ins

1 ounce cream equals 39 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 0 grams of sugar

1 teaspoon honey equals 21 calories, 0 grams of fat, 6 grams of sugar

1 teaspoon sugar equals 16 calories, 0 grams of fat, 4 grams of sugar

1 packet of Sugar in the Raw equals 20 calories, 0 grams of fat, 5 grams of sugar

Smart milk swaps

There are lots of lower-calorie options besides nonfat. They have less protein but are calcium-enriched. Just be sure to check the calories on flavored versions.