Try changing what you drink

These tips are simple, doable ways to make small changes to what you’re drinking that can help you drink less.

Swap to a lower strength to cut your calories

A simple way to reduce the amount of alcohol and calories you’re drinking is to swap strong beers or wines for ones with a lower strength. The strength can be seen on the side of cans/bottles as a percentage (ABV – Alcohol by volume).  A 1% difference may not sound like much but it adds up over a few drinks.

Dilute your drinks

A popular way to drink less is to have a wine spritzer using soda water or a shandy instead of a pint (make sure to ask for low-sugar lemonade in your shandy!). This will not only help you cut back on how much you are drinking but your calories too.

Red wine does more harm than good

Although media stories that red wine is good for you are very popular, the catchy headlines can be misleading. Many of the studies quoted in these stories have limitations or flaws that cast doubt on their findings. Alcohol should not be promoted as a way to improve health. There is no safe drinking level, and regularly drinking too much increases your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, liver disease and some cancers. The way to enjoy a longer healthier life is to drink less alcohol, eat a healthier diet, exercise more, and quit smoking.

Alcohol-free drinks have come a long way!

Times have changed. These days if you don’t fancy a beer or a wine, there’s loads of things you can have without feeling out of place. There’s all sorts of fabulously fruity mocktails, smoothies, alcohol-free lagers and refreshing soft drinks to try. And most bars serve hot drinks now too.