Can Happy Hour be Healthy?

When someone decides they want to lose weight and improve their diet, alcohol is usually one of the first things to go. And it’s no secret why. The average serving of one ounce of alcohol, which is less than one shot glass, has about 90 calories. When you add sugary mixers like fruit juice and sodas, the calorie count goes through the roof. For many people, though, the real fear may be that they won’t be able to resist the greasy food that goes so well with those drinks – since alcohol blurs our impulse control. Unfortunately, that fear is justified for another reason. A new study published in the Journal of The American Dietetic Association found that drinking alcohol releases a hormone in the brain that prompts cravings for fatty foods. So even if a grilled chicken salad is on the menu, you'll still be more likely to dive into a basket of fries. Of course, you don’t have to sit at home every night to avoid gaining weight, and you don’t have to commit to a life of vodka sodas or white wine spritzer. If your coworkers invite you to grab a beer after work, you can almost always order a bottle with less than 100 calories. MGD 64--Beck’s Premier Light-- Amstel Light--- Miller Lite and Budweiser Select all make the cut. But if you prefer a little more flavor, Guinness Draught is your best bet with just 126 calories and 10 grams of carbohydrates. When it comes to wine, most glasses have about 120 calories, but only red wine has an antioxidant called resveratrol that may help you live longer and prevent cancer and heart disease. To get the most reservatol possible, order a glass of pinot noir. Mixed drinks have potential for diet disaster. The worst example is a Long Island Ice Tea. With five different liquors, a huge shot of high-fructose corn syrup from the sweet-and-sour mix, and Coke -- one glass can actually have more calories than a slice of cheesecake. In terms of calories alone, your best bets are a mojito, a vodka soda, or a glass of champagne. But in terms of overall health, there’s nothing better than a bloody mary. You get a couple of servings of vegetables from the tomato juice, plus a healthy punch of lycopene, a potent cancer-fighting antioxidant. The bottom line is that happy hour has the potential to be a positive and negative experience for your body. According to most experts, enjoying one drink a day can possibly reduce your risk of heart disease. So go ahead and accept that invitation to happy hour – Just select wisely and watch how many you have. For more tips on how to eat healthy when you’re away from home, check out other videos on this site.