If you're looking to reduce the amount of alcohol in
your life follow some of these tips and see the
health benefits for yourself!
1. Make a plan
Before you start drinking, set a limit on how much you’re going to
drink.
2. Set a budget
Only take a fixed amount of money to spend on alcohol.
3. Let them know
If you let your friends and family know you’re cutting down and
that it’s important to you, you could get support from them.
4. Take it a day at a time
Cut back a little each day. That way, every day you do is a success.
5. Make it a smaller one
You can still enjoy a drink but go for smaller sizes. Try bottled
beer instead of pints, or a small glass of wine instead of a large
one.
Your Guide:
Christmas
Mocktails
6. Have a lower-strength drink
Cut down the alcohol by swapping strong beers or wines for ones
with a lower strength (ABV in %). You'll find this information on the
bottle.
7. Stay hydrated
Drink a pint of water before you start drinking, and don't use alcohol to quench your thirst. Have a soft drink instead.
8. Take a break
Have at least two days each week (preferably consecutively) when
you don’t have an alcoholic drink.
Benefits of cutting down:
The immediate effects of cutting down include:
feeling better in the mornings
being less tired during the day
your skin may start to look better
you’ll start to feel fitter
you may stop gaining weight
Long-term benefits include:
Improved mood
Improved sleep
Reduced risk of heart problems
Healthier immune system
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM
A selection of non-alcoholic drinks that
are great for the entire family or a perfect
alternative for those who prefer not to
drink alcohol.
MOCKTAILS
Peach Cooler
This festive peach cooler uses sparkling grape juice instead of
wine. Serve it in a wineglass for a lovely presentation.
INGREDIENTS
Fresh Grape Soda
Make your own grape juice by pureeing and straining fresh grapes for this
sweet and tangy sparkling drink. If you have very sweet grapes, you might
not need the full amount of honey. Taste as you go. For a special treat, freeze
extra whole grapes ahead of time and float them in the
drink along
with the ice cubes.
INGREDIENTS
3 cups soda water
4 cups seedless red grapes, plus more
for garnish
1 cup peach juice or nectar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup sparkling white grape juice
2 tablespoons honey
4 slices fresh peach
2 cups soda water
PREPARATION
Combine the soda water, peach juice and
sparkling white juice in a jug. Divide among 4 ice-filled glasses. Garnish
with peach slices.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Per serving: 72 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 18
g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 1 g protein; 1 g fibre; 8 mg sodium; 91
mg potassium.
PREPARATION
Puree grapes in a blender. Pour the puree through a fine-mesh strainer set
over a medium bowl or large measuring cup. Press on the solids to extract all
the juice. Add lemon and honey to the juice; stir until the honey is dissolved.
Add soda water. Divide among 4 ice-filled glasses. Garnish with whole
grapes.
NUTRITIONTIONAL INFORMATION
Per serving: 138 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 37
g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 1 g fibre; 4 mg sodium; 303 mg potassium.
•Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (35% daily value).
Raspberry Limeade
Pressing the raspberries through a sieve will get every drop of
juice into this refreshing limeade while leaving those pesky seeds behind.
INGREDIENTS:
2/3 cup fresh lime juice
Haymaker's Ginger Switchel
This ginger punch is flavoured with lemon juice and sweetened with
honey and molasses for a refreshing drink that quenches the thirst.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup sugar
9 cups water, divided
1 1/2 cups raspberries
1/4 cup minced fresh ginger
3 cups soda water
1/4 cup honey, or pure maple syrup
Ice cubes
1/4 cup molasses
PREPARATION
Combine the lime juice and sugar in a large jug,
stirring to help dissolve the sugar.
Place berries in a sieve over a bowl.
Use a spatula to press on the berries, extracting
the juice and some pulp while leaving the seeds behind.
Stir the puree into the jug. Serve over
ice.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Per serving: 87 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 22
g carbohydrates; 17 g added sugars; 0 g protein; 2 g fibre; 1 mg sodium; 75
mg potassium, vitamin C (27)
Green Jasmine-Mint Iced Tea with Lemon
Here we balance the mildly grassy flavour and slightly astringent mouth
feel of green tea with honey and lemon. Over steeped green tea can be
bitter, so don't brew it any longer than 3 minutes, be sure to steep in
simmering water.
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup loose green jasmine tea, or 12 green jasmine tea bags
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, plus more whole sprigs for garnish
4 cups simmering water
3/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup cider vinegar
Fresh berries, mint sprigs or lemon slices for
garnish
PREPARATION
Combine 3 cups water with ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over
medium-high heat. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover and let
infuse for 15 minutes. Strain the ginger-infused water into a jug, pressing on
the ginger solids to extract all the liquid. Add honey (or maple syrup) and
molasses; stir until dissolved. Stir in lemon juice, vinegar and the remaining
6 cups water. Chill until very cold, at least 2 hours or overnight. Stir the
punch and serve in tall glasses over ice cubes. Garnish with berries, mint
sprigs or lemon slices, if desired.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Per serving: 73 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol;
20g carbohydrates; 0 g protein; 0 g fibre; 13 mg sodium; 195 mg potassium.
•Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (18% daily value).
Sleigh Driver
This scrumptious non alcoholic punch adds pear, cranberries and vanilla to a
warm non alcoholic cider type drink.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup sugar
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 pears, chopped into bite-size pieces, divided
1/3 cup honey
2 litres apple juice or non alcoholic apple cider
4 cups cold water
PREPARATION
Place tea (or tea bags) and mint leaves in
simmering water for 2-3minutes.
Strain the tea (or remove tea bags and
mint leaves) and pour into a large jug.
Stir in lemon juice and honey until the honey
Dissolves, add cold water.
Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
Serve over ice with mint sprigs, if desired.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Per serving: 46 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 13
g carbohydrates; 0 g protein; 0 g fibre; 5 mg sodium; 39 mg potassium.
1 lemon, halved and sliced
1 tablespoon ground allspice
1 cup fresh cranberries
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 cup water
PREPARATION
Combine water, sugar, ginger and 1 pear in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil
over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Strain out the solids and return
the mixture to the pan. Add the remaining pears, apple juice, lemon and
allspice. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring often, for 15 minutes.
Add cranberries and vanilla and reduce the heat to medium-low (the liquid
should be simmering, not boiling). Let it simmer for 10 minutes more. Serve
in heat-safe mugs.
NUTIRITIONAL INFORMATION
169 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 42 g carbohydrates; 0 g protein; 2 g fibre; 2 mg sodium; 61 mg potassium.
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/
easy_mocktails?slide=1#leaderboardad