Making an aperitif without getting fat (or almost)? Yes it can! Just pay a little attention, follow common sense and don’t overdo it.
Aperitifs and balanced meals are not what is called synonyms. But happy hour is an appointment to which it is difficult to say no. However, with a little attention and common sense you can deal with it without too many consequences on the line.
Here are some tips on what to drink and eat and some tricks and good habits to keep in mind in order not to gain weight.
Cocktails, wine or juices? What to drink as an aperitif
Top the glasses! Toasting an aperitif without getting fat (or almost) is possible. The trick lies in the choice of the drink and (obviously) in the quantity consumed.
As you probably know, alcohol contains quite a lot of calories (halfway between carbohydrates and fats) and affects the regulation of the sense of satiety, pushing to eat more. As a result, no alcoholic beverage is diet friendly. However, a glass of wine or champagne attentive to your line less than a cocktail, which is a real calorie bomb. Instead, if you love beer, remember that those with higher alcohol content and malt content are particularly rich in sugar.
But it’s not just alcohol that puts your silhouette at risk. Non-alcoholic drinks, carbonated drinks and packaged fruit juices should also be avoided due to the large amounts of sugar they contain. In their place, it is better to opt for an orange or grapefruit juice , extracts , centrifuged and water flavored with real fruit or vegetables .
Buffet and more: what to eat as an aperitif
At the aperitif (especially the buffet), letting yourself get carried away is a moment. But with a few tricks you can enjoy happy hour without blowing up the diet.
Snacks you should avoid include chips, popcorn, pistachios, peanuts, olives, nachos and all industrial appetizers. Followed by cured meats, sauces and elaborate dishes. There is no absolute veto on pasta, pizza and focaccia, but the advice is to avoid very stuffed or greasy proposals and in general not to overdo it.
Aperitif cocktails? Beautiful and gluttonous, but a real attack on the line …
Does it seem to you that your aperitif won’t taste? In reality you still have many snacks and delicious dishes. For example, lean meats (such as bresaola and defatted ham), parmesan and fresh cheeses and / or goat cheeses . Even the cous cous and rice salads, spelled and other grains are an greedy and without too many implications (unless grondino dressing). And the same goes for chickpea hummus , aubergine cream and tzatziki sauce , three dishes that have now become a must for happy hour and that you can enjoy with crudités.
Green light also for cooked and pickled vegetables , white meat (also in this case, if cooked without too much fat) and raw fish . While salmon, tuna, prawns and the like and surimi should be avoided. The fruit legs and fruit salad are other snacks indicated for a balanced aperitif, but as long as you do not overdo it.
Aperitif I’m not afraid! “Save the line” tricks and habits
Paying attention to what you drink and eat is an excellent strategy to prevent the aperitif from turning into an attack on the line, but there are also some tricks and good habits that you can keep in mind in order not to frustrate the sacrifices of the diet. For example, don’t go to hungry happy hour .
Having a mid-afternoon snack with vegetables, fruit or yogurt will avoid you throwing yourself on the buffet or ordering from the menu as if there was no tomorrow. Drinking a few glasses of water will also help you control the feeling of hunger.
In front of the buffet, don’t get carried away. Look at the dishes and foods on offer, choose carefully and do not fill the dish . The natural relaxed atmosphere of happy hour, the company and the chatter (along with a bit of laziness) will overshadow the thought of what to eat and you will avoid bingeing.
Another “trick” to prevent the aperitif from turning into a calorie trap is to choose a place that offers à la carte dishes and / or a buffet where you know you can find things you can eat without too many consequences for the line.
Last but not least, it goes without saying that happy hour is not exactly a healthy habit . Having an aperitif once a week can be there, but every day (or slightly less) is not a good thing. If you like to see friends or want to go out, better a pizza or a real dinner. Of course, also in this case, occasionally and not continuously.
