An (almost) guilt-free cosmopolitan

Finally! It’s Friday, the working week is done and you’re ready to let your hair down… But how often does your week of eating healthily go to pot as soon as the weekend begins? Take a look at some of our suggestions to limit the effects of a post-weekend bloat.

The Friday Night Drinks

The biggest Friday night culprit is alcohol. So how can we avoid expanding our waistlines whilst enjoying a cheeky tipple?

When it comes to spirits, it helps to cut the calories if you opt for a low calorie mixer in your favourite spirit. Soda and lime isn’t just the perfect partner for vodka; it works nicely with rum or gin too. Most pubs and bars stock fruit squash so try mixing your preferred tipple with soda and a splash of blackcurrant or elderflower for fruity twist.

Many bars charge extortionate prices for even a small glass of wine, so if you crave a glass of vino then consider treating yourself to a glass of bubbly instead for a similar price. It’s lighter and the bubbly sensation means you are more likely to sip than swig. Hook a strawberry onto your glass flute to really awaken your senses. Or if you are having a night in, home made cocktails are a fantastically cheap and fun way to create sumptuous concoctions whilst keeping an eye on the ingredients. Scoop out the pulp of a passion fruit or blitz some succulent strawberries and add them to a Mojito to give your tipple a tasty instant injection of Vitamin C. Or try your hand at a home made Cosmopolitan; both these popular cocktails are much lower in calories compared to other cocktails as they use a minimum amount of ingredients but still remain delicious.

The Saturday Snacks

Whether you’re curled up on the sofa with your other half or spending a night in front of the TV with the girls, takeaways are a firm favourite on Saturday nights.

Whether you can’t resist nibbling on a prawn cracker or you crave a tangy tandoori, many takeaway choices are high in fat, salt and sugar – before we even get to calorie counting.

Look out for healthier options on the Chinese menu, as it’s tempting to veer towards the chow meins, chicken balls and egg fried rice without noticing the delicious array of protein-rich dishes on offer. Try the stewed chicken, beef, prawn or vegetable offerings which come with delicious accompaniments of pineapple, mushrooms or water chestnuts. Not only are these choices flavoursome, they are also lower in fat. Side dishes are another calorie-conjuring culprit, so try sharing high fat rice sides and prawn crackers between you.

Watch the fat, sugar and salt content

Lovers of hot and spicy food should keep an eye on Indian takeaway dishes, as many options are often laden with calories due to the rich sauces they are cooked in. Sharing dishes is a good option for cutting the calories in half and you can lower your fat intake by indulging in healthier sides such as the delicious spice-infused spinach and potato dish Saag Aloo.

The Sunday Splurge

The problem with many breakfast and brunch options is that they are teeming with calories, but there are sneaky yet simple ways to indulge in a scrumptious and plentiful breakfast without piling on the pounds.

Protein-packed eggs can be jazzed up without adding copious amounts of butter and generally a good crunch of salt and pepper works to really bring out the flavour. Try popping a poached egg or two on top a piece of wholemeal toast and use a pinch of paprika to create a burst of unexpected flavour, or add a generous helping of smoked salmon for a healthy treat filled with Omega-3. And if the irresistible smell of sizzling bacon gets you salivating, then whack your grill up to a high to medium heat and place a couple rashers on a piece of foil (this will save you from having scrub the congealed bacon fat off the pan; a very unglamorous job). Once cooked, pop the bacon onto some sheets of kitchen roll to soak up the excess fat whilst retaining the delicious savoury flavour. Serve between slices of linseed bread with a splat of Tomato Ketchup and you’re set!

It’s important to be able to relax and enjoy food, especially in a world that is obsessed with diet and appearance. Our suggestions go to show how easy it is to indulge in delicious food on the weekends without letting your healthy lifestyle go down the pan, so try putting some of our suggestions to the test to see how healthy alternatives can be both filling and satisfying.

An easy-peasy guide to how to make a cosmpolitan…