Sippin' on Gin and ... Diet Tonic, with a Splash of Lime

Summer's here and there's nothing better than lounging by the pool or sitting on the patio enjoying a cold drink. Drinking is also a way to pack on some extra calories to your day without realizing it. I've come across so many different calorie counting sites that say the calorie count for each drink is different, so it's also hard to estimate exactly how much you're consuming when you're wasting away in Margaritaville. Below are the top five drinks that I tend to avoid (although I can't always say no to the margarita) and the five drinks that I like to order. 


WORST (AND MOST DELICIOUS) DRINKS TO ORDER:

1. Long Island Iced Tea - 780 Calories
Serving Size: About 8oz
Ingredients: one part vodka, one part tequila, one part rum, one part gin, one part triple sec, 1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix, a splash of Coke (The liquor should equal two or three total shots.)


This one was a SHOCK - I had no idea that long islands were this many calories. And this is just for the normal 8oz size, I love the giant long islands at Houlihan's. Wow. 

2. Margarita - 740 Calories
Serving Size: About 8oz
Ingredients: 4 ounces limeade/mix, 4 ounces tequila, 1/3 ounce triple sec

Oh margaritas. I love you, and the chips with salsa, queso, and guacamole that inevitably come along with you. Like I said, I still can't turn down a good margarita, but when I do order one, that's it - just one. If I want another drink I'll get a light beer. Some restaurants have started serving the "Skinny Margaritas" but they might as well be a shot of tequila with some lime juice - bleh.

3. Mai Tai - 350 Calories
Ingredients: 1 ounce light rum, 1/2 ounce dark rum, 1/2 ounce creme de almond, 1/2 ounce triple sec, sweet and sour mix, pineapple juice


I won't order a mai tai unless I'm on vacation, which isn't often, but since they are so delicious I thought I would post this calorie count anyway. I guess it's better than the margarita, but it's still a little bit over the top considering most people can suck these down like fruit punch. 

4. Vodka or Gin Tonic - 200 Calories
Ingredients: 2 ounces gin/vodka, 5 ounces tonic water, one lime wedge


This one was also a bit of a shock - I thought this was a low calorie drink order! It certainly doesn't taste as delicious as the other drinks on this list. Order this one with a diet tonic mixer and you'll bring down the calorie count significantly (see below). NOTE: The same calorie count goes for a rum and coke, whiskey and coke, etc. 

5. Beer - Between 160 to 200 Calories
Serving Size: 12oz


If you're ordering regular (not light) beer, you might as well order a hard liquor drink. You won't drink as much and you won't feel as bloated in the morning. A Sam Adams has 180 calories, Guinness has 176, and Blue Moon has 170 (saaaaaad, I love Blue Moon). 


Honorable Mention:
White Russian - 425 Calories
Strawberry Daquiri - 220 Calories
Pina Colada - 650 Calories

BEST (AND MOST TOLERABLE) DRINKS TO ORDER:

1. Rum and Diet Coke - 65 Calories
Serving Size: 6oz
Ingredients: 1oz rum, 5oz Diet Coke


This one is a good standby, nothing too crazy about it, but it's light and refreshing, and very little chance that the bartender will mess up the order. Same calorie count goes for most liquors and a diet mixer - vodka and Sprite Zero being my other favorite. 

2. Gin/Vodka and Diet Tonic - 110 Calories
Serving Size: 8oz
Ingredients: 1.5oz Gin, 6.5oz Diet Tonic

This one has a bitter taste, but I usually ask for a couple of lime wedges with it. Another thing you can do is order this drink with a splash of cranberry juice. It does up the calories a little, but only a little, and you'll love the taste. Sometimes saying, "I'll have a gin and diet tonic with a splash of cranberry juice and two lime wedges, please," you get a look from the bartender that's like, "This is not Starbucks, you can't order your drink one thousand different ways," but for the most part it's worked out well.

3. Mojito - 160 Calories

Ingredients: 2 to 3 ounces rum, 1 tsp. lime juice, 2 tsp. sugar, fresh mint leaves, club soda

LOVE mojitos, they're so refreshing, but I feel weird ordering it at a bar. If I'm sitting down at a restaurant, this is definitely my drink of choice, but if the bartender is going to have to dig out the muddler and mint leaves from God knows where, I'll pass. 

4. Cosmo - 150 Calories

Ingredients: 1 ounce vodka, 1/2 ounce triple sec, 1/2 ounce lime juice, 1/2 ounce cranberry juice 

[Insert necessary reference to Carrie Bradshaw and the Sex in the City girls.] Ok, now that that's out of the way, this martini is actually not bad. The problem is, they go so fast because they're so small, and you end up ordering way more than you ever thought you would. I prefer having a bigger drink to sip on so I'll order less. 

5. Light Beer - Between 55 and 110 Calories

Serving Size: 12oz

Any light beer is going to put you out ahead of ordering regular beers and most cocktails. The lowest calorie beers are the ones with the calories in their names: Miller Genuine Draft 64, Budweiser Select 55, etc. But counting for taste as well, not just calories, I prefer a Miller Lite at 96 calories, Coors Light at 102 calories, or Bud Light Lime at 110 calories. (Seriously, Bud Light Lime is the perfect summer, sit-by-the-pool drink.)

Honorable Mention:

Whiskey Sour: 125 calories

Mimosa: 140 calories

Bloody Mary: 140 calories


All of these calorie counts were taken from different websites, and I took the average of the information that I found. Some sites, for example, said that margaritas are 300 calories, but the majority sided with the 700+ amounts. (Bummer, I know.)

Quick Lunch: Sweet Salad and Soup

Salad nutritional breakdown

Today was another snow day which is crazy. It's not supposed to stick around until tomorrow, but it was nice having another work from home in my pajamas day. It's always dangerous to hang around the house all day though because there's the temptation to snack on things laying around the house. I did really well today and landed under 1300 calories with the help of my delicious lunch! I hunted for things I had around the house (including some of Wendy's pomegranate vinaigrette that I need to find in a store or online somewhere so I don't have to keep the leftover packets like a hoarder). I came up with two cups of organic baby greens, half a granny smith apple, 1/8 cup of craisins, 1/8 cup of goat cheese crumbles, and that packet of pomegranate vinaigrette. I ate it with a cup of jarred tomato basil soup and it was fantastic.

I also have to give a shout out to La Madeleine. Not only do I love their fat free Caesar dressing, they just came out with a low fat version of their tomato basil soup. That soup is pretty much the only reason I ever go to La Madeleine, but with the regular version, a cup has 340 calories and 32 grams of fat, so I would definitely have to save it for a special treat. The low fat version that they also sell in jars is 150 calories and 11 grams of fat for a cup, so I am thrilled. The best part? It tastes just as good as the regular fat version! They sell them online, and if you order some, you might as well pick up some of the Caesar dressing as well.

Turkey Enchilada Casserole

Since today was a snow day I cooked all three meals and have plenty of leftovers in case I can't make it out tomorrow either! I made scrambled egg beaters with cheese, a light english muffin with light butter, and a turkey sausage patty for breakfast (with a big cup of coffee, of course), for lunch I made some ravioli soup (recipe found here), and for dinner I made this yummy Mexican casserole. 

Before

Yield: 4 servings


Ingredients:

16 oz ground turkey

1/3 c chopped onions

2 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp ground cumin

10 corn tortillas 

1 1/3 c shredded 2% Mexican cheese blend 

29 oz can red enchilada sauce

Preparation:

1. In a skillet sprayed with cooking spray over medium-high heat, stir turkey, onion, oregano, and cumin until turkey is crumbly and no longer pink. Reduce to low heat and stir in a cup of enchilada sauce. Add salt to taste.

2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

3. Cut tortillas in half. Arrange a fourth (2.5 tortillas each) of the halves evenly over the bottom of a shallow 3-quart casserole dish, overlapping to fit. Sprinkle a fourth of the cheese (1/3 cup each) evenly over the tortillas, then top with a third of the turkey mixture and a fourth (1/2 cup each) of the remaining enchilada sauce, spreading each level. Repeat to make two more layers of tortillas, cheese, turkey mixture, and sauce; top with another layer of tortillas and sauce, then cheese.

4. Bake in the oven at 425 degrees until cheese is melted and casserole is hot in the center, 18 to 20 minutes. 

5. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and top with low fat sour cream if desired. 

After!

And tonight, I'll have hot chocolate for dessert! Hope everyone is staying safe and warm!

Starbucks Addiction: My Top 5 Low(er) Calorie Drinks

The first step is admitting that you have a problem. Hi, I'm Renee, and I LOVE STARBUCKS.

I am not a person who goes to Starbucks every day because (1) I cannot afford that and (2) now that it's not right across the street within walking distance, I have to plan to go before work since it's out of my way. I usually go about once a week or maybe once every two weeks.

All that being said, I love Starbucks. I love when the red cups come out for the holidays and I can finally get my peppermint mocha with the chocolate shavings on top. I love reading on the porch, enjoying an icy frappucino in the summer. Most of all, I love when fall begins and the pumpkin spice lattes (PSLs) become my exclusive order for the next 3 months. Two years ago, I called Starbucks on the first day of fall and asked when they would start making the PSLs. When they told me that it was that day, I told the guy on the phone I'd be there in 5 minutes. He laughed because he thought I was kidding. When I showed up 5 minutes later and told him that I was the crazy girl on the phone, he laughed again, but there was fear in his eyes. This year, they came out early, so when I went through the drive thru and saw the sign, I squealed excitedly to the girl in the speaker that I needed to change my order to the PSL. Seriously, I love it.

So I couldn't do without it on my diet. Starbucks has a lot of great options for my Sparkpeople, calorie-counting lifestyle. You just have to be careful which ones you choose (and check what the barista wrote on the cup to make sure they didn't give you that whipped cream or full fat milk when you asked for no whip and nonfat). My top 5 low(er) calorie drinks are listed below.

NOTE ON SIZING: I refuse to order coffee in anything less than a grande based on the pricing; I can't pass up the 30 cents more for an upsize. Some of the drinks below I order in venti also. The sizes are listed where I put the nutrition. For those who don't know, Starbucks will let you order a "short" (kids size) that is 8 ounces, which I sometimes do for hot chocolate, but for the coffee drinks, I just don't think it's worth it.

They make this sign for the crazies.

#1: The PSL (seasonal)
If you couldn't tell, I am CRAZY about this drink. I've tried to recreate it at home, but it just doesn't work. Since it's only available in the fall, I allow myself to splurge on this one even though it's a bit higher in calories than the other drinks, but I only order a grande. It's so worth it. To order, say "Grande nonfat, no whip pumpkin spice latte WITH magic spices." They will know what you mean when you say magic spices, but they may also laugh at you. Consider yourself warned.

Calories: 260, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 50g, Protein: 14g, Calcium: 50%, Caffeine: 150mg

The sprinkles.

#2: Peppermint Mocha Latte
This is advertised as a holiday drink, but you can get it year-round, it just won't have the dark chocolate sprinkles on the top (which are pretty much the best part). I try to get this in grande because it is higher calorie. To order, say "Grande nonfat, no whip peppermint mocha latte...WITH sprinkles."

Calories: 280, Fat: 3g, Carbs: 59g, Protein: 12g, Calcium: 35%, Caffeine: 175mg

#3: Skinny Cinnamon Dolce (Hot or Iced)
I order this year-round, either iced or hot, in a venti size. It's sugar free cinnamon syrup and steamed nonfat milk with espresso. To order, say "Venti skinny cinnamon dolce latte" or "Venti skinny cinnamon dolce iced." Fun fact: the iced version has more caffeine because Starbucks brews their iced coffee double strong.

HOT Calories: 160, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 24g, Protein: 15g, Calcium: 50%, Caffeine: 150mg

ICED Calories: 110, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 17g, Protein: 10g, Calcium: 35%, Caffeine: 225mg

#4: Mocha Frappucino Light
I order this in a grande because a venti is too much frappucino (life lessons). It's not the full fat version with whipped cream on top, but it is yummy and really hits the spot on a hot summer day. To order, say "Grande mocha frappucino light."

Calories: 140, Fat: 1g, Carbs: 34g, Protein: 4g, Calcium: 10%, Caffeine: 95mg

#5: Skinny Caramel Macchiato
I order this in venti, and it has sugar free vanilla syrup, nonfat milk, espresso, foam, and a caramel drizzle. It's so rich and you're being so good, but it feels so bad. To order, say "Venti skinny caramel macchiato."


Calories: 160, Fat: 1g, Carbs: 25g, Protein: 13g, Calcium: 45%, Caffeine: 150mg

Honorable Mention (Non-Coffee Favorites): Chai Latte (Hot or Iced)
Pretty much the only tea I drink. I used to order this all the time, but since I can get the Tazo chai concentrate in regular and decaf at Target for about $4 (it makes around 6 servings), I never order it anymore. It's still delicious, it just tastes as good at home for less than $1. I listed the calories for a grande size in both hot and iced. To order, say "Grande (decaf) nonfat chai latte."

Calories: 200, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 44g, Protein: 8g, Calcium: 25%, Caffeine: 100mg

Honorable Mention (Non-Coffee Favorites): Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Their hot chocolate is so good. I order a "short" (kids) size for just a taste, and - bonus - it's under $2! To order, say "Short nonfat, no whip peppermint hot chocolate."

Calories: 170, Fat: 2g, Carbs: 35g, Protein: 6g, Calcium: 20%, Caffeine: 15mg




One more hint: PLEASE pay with a registered gift card!! You save about 80 cents on each venti drink, you get a free drink on your birthday, and you can easily reload it online. Why wouldn't you use one??