When it comes to nutrition - too little or too much of any food and/or nutrient can be detrimental to health - it’s all about balance in our food and beverage choices! 

For alcohol, the healthful recommendation is one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.  One alcoholic drink is defined as either: 1.5 ounces of spirit (vodka, tequila, whiskey, rum, etc), 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer. If consuming a higher ABV craft beer, the serving size is reduced to 8 ounces.  Unfortunately, we cannot save up through the week and enjoy all 7 or 14 servings on the weekend.

While alcohol consumption can be healthy, overconsumption of alcohol negates the health benefits.   In the case of overconsumption, it is healthier to abstain. 

If you are looking to consume less alcohol or abstain, mocktails are fun to enjoy and tasty too!  Mocktails are simply non-alcoholic, and generally healthier, versions of popular cocktails. 

When making mocktails you will see sparking water or a sugar-free/diet soda as the main ingredient.  Sparking water is of course healthy and sugar-free/diet sodas can be part of a healthy balanced diet as long as we consume 20 or fewer ounces per day and as part of a balanced diet including fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, dairy, and water.  The small amount of artificial sweeteners in 20 or fewer ounces of the sugar-free/diet soda are safe and not a cause for worry.   The consumption of sugar-free/diet sodas becomes worrisome when that is the only beverage someone will drink (consuming excess 48 ounces each day) and depending on their overall lifestyle choices including the rest of their diet and physical activity.

As we approach the new year, raise your glass with these delicious mocktails: 

Fresca Margarita
Ingredients 
•    12 ounces Fresca Traditional Citrus soda
•    Juice from half of a lime, fresh squeezed 

Instructions
1.    Pour Fresca into glass and add lime juice. Enjoy!

La Croix ‘Mimosa’
Ingredients 
•    6 ounces La Croix sparking water of choice
•    1/3 cup Our Family 100% orange juice 

Instructions 
1.    Pour La Croix into glass and add orange juice. Enjoy!

Innocent Mary 
Ingredients 
•    Juice from half of a lemon, fresh squeezed
•    1 dash black pepper
•    1 dash Tabasco sauce, or hot sauce of choice, plus more if you like spicy!
•    1 ‘splash’ Worcestershire Sauce
•    4 ounces Our Family Vegetable or Tomato juice 

Instructions 
1.    Add ingredients to glass in order listed. Stir with celery stick. Add ice if desired. Enjoy!

Ginger Mule
Ingredients 
•    Juice from half of a lime, fresh squeezed 
•    Mint leaves 
•    6 ounces diet ginger ale

Instructions 
1.    Squeeze lime juice into glass or copper mug. Next, add one or two mint leaves and using the top of a large spoon, muddle or crush the mint leaves in the lime juice.  Lastly, add ice, if desired, and gently pour in ginger ale.  Enjoy!

We wish you a happy and healthy new year! Cheers!

"This medical and/or nutritional information is not intended to be a substitute for individual advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition."

STEPHANIE EDSON - REGIONAL WELLNESS SPECIALIST

Stephanie is an award-winning registered dietitian who believes in empowering every individual to make nutritious food choices to support a healthy lifestyle. She believes in the power of food as medicine and loves sharing about nutrition with others.