From Hangover to Happiness: Tips for a Healthier Happy Hour

Hello my Saucy Spring Beauties!

Well the sun is shining, and I’m finally coming out of hibernation! And just in time for the holiday weekend—which means BBQ’s, beach and booze. But before you head off to Happy Hour with your friends, check out my tips to help you plan ahead to have a healthy celebration.

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When the clock strikes four on Friday afternoon, there is nothing better after a long, tough week of work than Happy Hour and good conversation with your friends. And with warm weather on the horizon, there will be plenty more opportunities to soak in those extra hours of sunshine while sipping on a margarita.

Happy Hour is supposed to fun, but those après-work celebrations may seem way less happy when those just perfect jeans you bought start feeling tight around your bootie. Choosing the right cocktails and snacks can literally save you hundreds of calories that just end up adding to your padding. Plus, the automatic hangovers that come from the processed chemicals and sugars in typical Happy Hour drinks will leave you feeling worn out and foggy.

In the quest for ultimate balance, here’s the skinny on a healthy happy hour that’s still as happy as a Pharrell song.

Word to the Wise

“Healthy” is a subjective term. Some people are calorie or sugar conscious, while others just want a few vitamins and nutrients in their adult beverage of choice. Whatever your poison, or lack thereof, the most important thing to remember is that no happy hour cocktail is healthy when multiplied by four!

Plan Ahead

Make a post-happy-hour plan so you don’t overstay your happy hour… note I said hour. This will also limit your temptation to overindulge in the half-priced drink menu. Make some plans to see a movie or cook a nice dinner at home with friends.

Arm yourself with some food and drink knowledge beforehand, so you don’t convince yourself that those two-for-one tacos specials are harmless bargains. Don’t be fooled by the cheap eats – that chicken quesadilla is almost 1,500 calories! Unfortunately, half priced food and drinks do not equal half the fat and calorie content.

Have a pre happy hour snack. If you’re starving after work, your willpower will take a hike in favor of those fried foods. Enjoy a quick and healthy nosh in the afternoon like celery, apple and almond butter or veggies and hummus.

Don’t Fall Overboard

Maybe you don’t drink that often. Maybe you’re thinking, “What’s the harm in letting loose every once in awhile?” Now, I know you’re a smarty pants, but even limiting yourself to two or three happy hour drinks can slippery-slope into bad decisions. That nice little buzz you feel from the extra alcohol can trigger cravings and lower your inhibitions and willpower so those fatty fried foods seem like a great idea. You will be more likely to overindulge, if not at the bar, than when you finally make it home. Keep the life vest on and stick to your plan.

Skip the Sugar

Let’s be real, glow in the dark drinks are scary when you think about it. So skip the syrupy mixers and juices. The processed sugars and chemicals in them will make for an unhappy hangover. A good rule of thumb for alcoholic beverages: the simpler, the better. Try skipping a mixer altogether – a strong straight drink forces you to sip rather than gulp it down.

Have a Go-To (or Two)

It’s smart to have a few alternative recipes you know you like in your back pocket when you go up to order. You don’t want to buckle under the pressure of the bartender’s stare and end up with a giant drink that’s filled with nothing but sugar and chemicals (and an extra shot of guilt).

Here are a few of my favorite healthier cocktails so you can get your mixology on for 100 calories or less.

Skinny Margarita
Tall club soda + 1 shot tequila + a few squeezes of fresh lime & orange

Rose Spritzer
3-4 ounces of rose vino + 3 ounces club soda + squeeze of lime

Small Dirty Martini – This one is my personal fave!
1 ounce vodka, splash of dry vermouth (optional), splash of olive juice, two olives, shaken not stirred

Vodka Cranberry Splash
Tall club soda + 1 shot vodka + splash of cranberry , I mean really, just a splash

Sugar Free Mojito
Tall club soda + 1 shot rum + muddled mint + a few squeezes of fresh lime

If you’re more of a beer drinker, light beer is a great choice. A good one is only about 100 calories for 12 ounces. There is lots of water in those too, so it’s still a bit hydrating. Plus, the carbonation will make you feel full, so you’ll limit the number of rounds.

Be Mindful of the Munchies

Before you reach for those free bar pretzels and tortilla chips, take a moment to peruse the menu for snacks that will leave you satisfied without all the empty calories.

Veggie platters are easy to find on menus these days and are a healthy delish option that provides valuable vitamins and fiber. Choose roasted or raw veggies ranging from carrots and celery to squash, bell pepper, onion and sweet potato. These smart choices will leave you more than happy and full.

If you wanna take a dip, try hummus or guacamole, two nutrient-rich options perfect for dipping those raw veggies. If you’re more of a carnivore, skip the sliders for a grilled meat option, like a simple chicken satay.

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I want to know what’s worked for you! How do you stay healthy when you’re out on the town? What are some of your favorite healthy Happy Hour cocktails and snacks? Let me know in the comments below.

LOVE + Real Food,