Many people erroneously believe that the good news about the health benefits of alcoholic beverages like wine and beer gives them carte blanche to go on a bender. And with Spring Break coming up, it’s all the more tempting to drink up on the beach. If the drinks are on you, then make sure they don’t end up on your waistline by making bad choices. A good rule of thumb if you’re going to imbibe is to remember that as the alcohol content increases, so do the calories. Take the ultra-alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea. An 8-ounce serving will cost you a whopping 780 calories! Pair a high-alcohol spirit with a high-calorie mixer like pina colada mix, chocolate liqueur and cream-based liqueurs, and you’ve got a diet buster.

Highballs – those that contain alcohol and one mixer over ice – tend to be lower in calories than multiple-ingredient drinks that are blended. Don’t be afraid to ask for drinks your way – with diet mixers like tonic and soda. Watch for those ultra-cool “signature” martinis that are all the rage these days. Chocolate martinis can top 400 calories, and a Key Lime Pie martini can be a super diet-buster with all the creamy ingredients and graham-cracker-rimmed glass. All the sugar in the juice, simple syrup and even on the rim can make a drink sweeter than dessert! Make it a real happy hour for your diet by ordering lower-calorie cocktails like Bloody Marys, Mimosas, light beers and wine spritzers. Turn that beer belly into a bikini-ready belly!