Molly’s annual #AlcoholFreeFor40 challenge starts today, with the goal of going 40 days alcohol free, tracking things like weight, appearance of our skin and eyes, and certain labs pre- and post-challenge to see the impact that alcohol has on our individual bodies.
But simply being “alcohol-free” doesn’t make a drink “healthy”, so today we’re Getting the Skinny on best and worst mixers for DIY mocktails!
Interested in the #AlcoholFreeFor40? Scroll down for full details on the #AlcoholFreeFor40 Challenge!
LOVE IT!
All-natural mixers with little or no sugar or calories:
Sparkling water + Flavored sparkling water – e.g. La Croix, Dasani Sparkling, and Target’s Simply Balanced store brand. Zero calories, sugar, or artificial sweeteners
Crystal Light PURE – sweetened with stevia and a bit of sugar, and colored with vegetable extracts. Each packet has 30 calories and six grams of sugar – can often use just half a packet or less per mocktail.
Agave Five Drink Mix packets by Madhava (available at stores like Whole Foods Market): 5 calories per packet, sweetened with stevia and agave; nothing artificial.
Herbal tea – Endless flavor options; most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, with zero calories, carbs, or sugar.
Virgin Bloody Mary mix like Louisiana Sisters Bloody Mary Mix
Kombucha – Rich in probiotics and low in sugar, its effervescence and ale-like fermented flavor make it a great mixer for mocktails. Big Easy Bucha, local New Orleans kombucha brewery, has a variety of kombucha flavors that are perfect for DIY mocktails.
LIKE IT!
Diet soft drinks (e.g. Coke Zero, Sprite Zero) – artificially sweetened with aspartame and/or acesulfame potassium
Crystal Light Packets – artificially sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame potassium + artificially colored
Non-Alcoholic Beers: Typically 58-89 calories, with 12-19 grams of carbs per 12-ounce beer
HATE IT
Sugary soft drinks – 30+ grams added sugar per 12-ounce can
Fruit juice – even 100% fruit juices – ounce-for-ounce, as much or more sugar + calories as a soft drink
Frozen, blended slushy drink mixers – can easily top 400 calories & 40 grams sugar per drink!
#AlcoholFreeFor40 Challenge Details:
Give up all alcohol from Ash Wednesday until EAster. Establish the following pre-Challenge metrics, and repeat again at end of Challenge to see the impact that going alcohol-free has on your body:
- Weight
- Close-up photo of face: details of eyes and skin in particular
- Labs:
- CBC (Complete Blood Count)
- Liver panel including enzymes AST & ALT
- Lipid Panel (includes triglycerides, which can be affected by alcohol)
- GGT (Gamma glutamyl transferase, a specific liver test that’s most affected by alcohol)
- Vitamin B12 and Folate Panel
- hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; a marker of inflammation)
- ESR (sedimentation rate; a marker of inflammation)
POTENTIAL BENEFITS: Less inflammation, better sleep, less anxiety, improved mood & energy, potential weight loss.
NOTES:
- Molly will be offering weekly reminders, tips & recipes via social media (@mollykimballRD) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, using the hashtag #AlcoholFreeFor40.
- Share your own experiences using the hashtag #AlcoholFreeFor40.
- You can also email Molly (molly@mollykimball.com) to accept the challenge and keep in touch throughout to let her know how you’re doing. All personal information will be kept confidential.
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