Diet Tip #8: Cheers! Have a Drink

The "skinny girl's margarita" earned fame on The Real Housewives of New York City, but that's not where drinking on your diet begins and ends. For one, at restaurants, instead of ordering that first glass of wine when you look over the menu, start with sparkling water. This will keep you from becoming tipsy and subsequently overeating. Ask the waiter to bring your drink with your entrée, so you can enjoy and savor both. Aim to avoid drinks that you down too fast (like white wine, which can be guzzled like water). Instead, order a top-shelf tequila on the rocks with just a splash of orange juice, or a flavored vodka and club soda. Low-calorie or low-carb beer is also a good option, since you tend to nurse a beer, and its carbonation makes you feel full. Remember, too, that tonic has as many calories as regular Coke. If you want a gin and tonic, order it with sugar-free tonic. Or try mixing soda water with fruit-infused vodka.

(courtesy of allure.com)