Enjoying a Tampa nightlife or two is something that we feel like doing at some point. A night of fun and conversation is the perfect remedy to a long and stressful week. However, if you’re on a diet, this may prove to pose some problems for you.
Alcohol is notorious for being full of empty calories, especially if you mix it with chasers and sweet mixers. Throw in the fatty bar food they serve with these drinks, and you’ve just set yourself back two weeks worth of dieting effort.
It would also be a shame to simply not go out when your friends invite you out, and you’ll feel left out if you don’t drink at all. Fortunately, it is possible to stick to your diet even while drinking. Here are some Tampa nightlife tips for staying on your diet while still being a part of the fun.
Avoid the beer
Beers tend to have the highest amount of calories for alcohol. As much as possible, try to avoid the beer when going out to drink with your friends. You can swap it our for spirits with low-calorie mixes in order to make sure that you don’t accidentally overindulge.
Take half drinks
If you must have a drink of beer or a drink that’s high in calories, you can instead opt for half a drink. After all, one sip tastes the same as ten sips, so a smaller quantity will let you have a taste of the drink that you want, without any of the guilt. It might seem tempting to finish the whole glass, but you can split it with a friend who’s in the same boat as you.
Every other drink should be water
This is helpful for you because it helps to minimize your alcohol intake, and it can go a long way in preventing a bad hangover the next morning.
As much as possible, drink a glass of water for every alcoholic drink you ingest, no matter how big or small it is. The water will make you fuller, and it also keeps you aware of how much alcohol you’ve been drinking.
Eat something before going out
Remember what we said about high-calorie bar food? Most of them are usually deep-fried or doused in sauce. They may be delicious, but they’re not exactly diet-friendly.
You can eat a healthy meal beforehand to counter this. Eating ahead of time keeps you full longer, and it helps with any jalapeno popper cravings you may have later on.
Don’t let it get you down
Despite all of your preparations, we’re only human, and we may fall off the wagon once in a while. If that happens, don’t beat yourself up over it.
Accept what happened, and get back on your diet the next day. Maybe throw in another hour or two of exercise to work off the drinks from the Tampa nightlife. It’s important that you remain kind to yourself.