Ringing in the holiday season can mean holiday cheer in all sorts of creative — and calorie-packed — beverages. A recent study found the average adult in the U.S. consumes about 100 calories worth of alcohol daily — and that’s without the added excuse of holiday celebrations. At this time of year, “Keep mindful of how many drinks you are having by keeping a tally. You will drink less if you are counting,” says dietician Dawn Blatner.
Drink mixers are particularly common sources of hidden calories, sugar and fat, says Blatner, including the most ubiquitous one at end-of-the-year parties: egg nog. Instead, she says, “Add alcohol to zero calorie seasonal flavored tea to give you the holiday flavor with much less guilt.”
And if you’re hosting, why not bulk-down the brews? Here are three of Blatner’s favorites worth mixing: