Drink Booze, Be Slim

First, the good news: You don’t need to run the alcohol well dry to avoid busting your belt. Guzzling shot after shot after shot won’t work either. The key is to be mindful of your moonshine. We promise that it’s not as boring as it sounds.

The Sober Truth

Women can kick back one serving of alcohol daily, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, whereas men are allowed two. One serving is equivalent to 5 fluid ounces of wine, 12 fluid ounces of beer, or 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof liquor, such as top-shelf vodka or rum, and will cost you about 100-150 calories. Unfortunately, you can’t cheat the system and save all your watering hole calories for Saturday night. Use them, lose them, or risk them landing on your butt.

Eight Skinny Drinking Tips

These tricks will help keep you trim.

1. Choose lower proof alcohol — the lower the proof, the fewer calories per fluid ounce.
2. Opt for drinks without mixers, such as wine or light beer.
3. Use smaller glasses for mixed drinks to control portion size.
4. Go simple — fewer ingredients may mean fewer calories.
5. Measure your pour using a shot glass or jigger (or ask the bartender to do so).
6. Avoid cocktails with pre-made sugary mixes.
7. Mix alcohol with a splash of 100 percent fruit juice or seltzer.
8. Muddle fresh berries, mint or herbs at the bottom of your glass for a punch of flavor and antioxidants.

Six Hi-Cal Cocktails

Steer clear of these liquid bar bombs.

1. Long Island Iced Tea: 780 calories
2. Margarita: 700 calories
3. Pina Colada: 650 calories
4. Chocolate Martini: 450 calories
5. White Russian: 425 calories
6. Mai Tai: 350 calories

Note: Calories in cocktails are an approximation and can vary based on the recipe, ingredients and portions.

Toby Amidor is a registered dietician and the owner of Toby Amidor Nutrition. She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition and dietetics from New York University. You can follow her on Twitter at @tobyamidor.