New Year’s Eve is all about celebrating and welcoming fresh beginnings, and let’s admit it—raising a glass often feels like part of the tradition! But if you are worried about how those cocktails can sneak into your fitness goals, I’ve got you covered. I’ve created a simple Alcohol Guide to help you enjoy the party while staying mindful of your health. Let’s ring in the new year without the extra guilt—cheers to smart choices and a fabulous 2025!

Pre-Party:

1.   If you know you will be attending a party at night, keep your breakfast and lunch wholesome and more protein and fibre rich.

2.   Before leaving for the party, have a protein rich meal: Vegetable dal chilla, protein bar, vegetable soup/ beaten chana or roasted chana vegetable chaat.

3. Fill yourself with food as drinking alcohol on empty stomach is not recommended (as its hunger stimulant, you may eat more than required after alcohol)

During the party:

1.     Alternate alcoholic drink with water to stay hydrated and slow alcohol absorption

2. Prefer low sugar options like dry wines or spirits with soda/ water. Choose low calorie alcohol (vodka/ gin/ tequila) mixed with tonic/ soda.

3.   Add refreshing twist of springs of mint or celery stick stirrer

4.   Avoid cocktails high in syrups, sugar or cream. You can simply go for cranberry juice + 60 ml vodka OR 45 ml Red wine with plain soda/ sprite/ 7 up OR 30 ml tequila + lemon juice + soda/ gin with tonic.

5.   Munch low calorie snacks with your drink. Options such as unbuttered salted popcorn, roasted chips or julienne-cut-crudités like carrot, cucumber, or celery sticks, hummus, nuts, stir fried vegetables make perfect accompaniments.

After the party:

1.   Start and end your party with a glass of water.

2.   If possible, before leaving the party order for a glass of lemon juice without sugar, if not then have this once you reach home.

3.   Also, you can keep a dip-dip pack of herbal tea ready beside your bed, so that when you come you can just dip this in a cup of warm water.

BEER 

Beer regular 330 ml                                                    Allowance 1 can 

Beer light 330 ml                                                        Allowance 1 & ½ cans  DISTILLED 

SPIRITS

Rum allowance: 2 small pegs 30 ml each or 1 large peg 60 ml 

Whiskey allowance: 2 small pegs 30 ml each or 1 large peg 60 mlScotch allowance: 2 small pegs 30 ml each or 1 large peg 60 ml

Vodka allowance: 2 small pegs 30 ml each or 1 large peg 60 ml

Gin allowance: 2 small pegs 30 ml each or 1 large peg 60 ml

TABLE WINE ·       

Dry white wine     Allowance: 1 ½ glass            180 ml in total§  @ 120ml per glass ·       

Red/ Rose wine    Allowance: 1 ½ glass            180 ml in total§  @ 120ml per glass  ·       

Sweet wine             Allowance: 3/4th glass §  @ 120 ml per glass              90 ml total                          

SPARKLING WINE ·       

Champagne          Allowance: 1 1/4th glass       150 ml total    @ 120 ml per glass  

OTHERS ·       

Any liqueur          Allowance: 1 small peg          30 ml total ·       

Tequila                  Allowance: 2 shots                 120 ml total ·       

Brandy/ Cognac  Allowance: 1 ½ pegs               45 ml total  

LOW CAL NON ALCHOLIC MIXERS

Club soda, Sugar free Tonics, Fresh Lime Water, Diet Cola & Ice