Summer is upon us and should be a time for fun, relaxation, and spending time with friends and family. One of the most common questions that we hear from our clients is how to enjoy the summer and without ruining their goals. At Graham Strength & Conditioning it is our goal to help members develop simple, realistic habits that promote a balanced lifestyle.
One of the best ways to enjoy summer festivities is with a refreshing mocktail! Mocktails are non-alcoholic drinks that are just as delicious and enjoyable as their alcohol counterparts. Mocktails also alleviate some of the social pressure our clients face during parties or events that typically involve drinking. Continue reading for some of the best mocktail recipes that you can make at home this summer!
What’s The Big Deal About Alcohol?
Decreasing or eliminating alcohol consumption has many long-term benefits that can help you reach your nutrition and fitness goals. Likewise, consistent alcohol consumption can negatively impact your goals in many ways including:
- Leading to muscle loss and protein malnutrition
- Consuming excess calories can be stored as fat
- Impairing judgment which can cause problematic eating behaviors
- Weakening your immune system
- Disrupting your central nervous system (how your brain communicates with your muscles)
The Truth About Sugar
Sugar-sweetened beverages are the leading source of added sugar consumed. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 36g sugar per day for men and 24g for women and children. One regular cocktail or soda can easily put you over that limit. Yes, ONE! The following recipes will help you to reduce your sugar, carb, and calorie intake all while still enjoying that refreshing beverage feeling on a hot summer day.
Recipes
We love sharing healthy alternatives with our members. Check out the three recipes below for delicious beverage alternatives that will fit your summer vibe and keep you on track toward your goals.
Apple Margarita
Sweet. Tart. Refreshing. While apple cider might be more of a fall favorite, we guarantee you'll be tasting spring in these cinnamon and lime laced mock-margs.
Hibiscus Sangria
Want to make the perfect day even more perfect? Drink this hibiscus sangria in the park instead of the sugar and booze heavy traditional drink. Tangy and naturally hydrating.
Watermelon Mint Mocktail
We love mocktails with big flavor pairings, especially unexpected ones. This sugar-free mocktail makes melon and mint work wonders! Just make sure you strain it properly.
Additional Resources
These are just a few of the many delicious summer mocktail recipes that you can make at home. With a little creativity, you can easily come up with your own unique mocktail recipes that will be sure to please everyone at your next summer gathering.Looking for more support with this topic? We recommend the book & workbook bundle This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life & The Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace. We love helping people learn how to enjoy life and still meet their goals. Graham Strength & Conditioning members have had great success implementing these tools, paired with the support and accountability of their nutrition coaches.
Stuck? Contact a Coach!
If you are not sure where to begin, the nutrition and fitness coaching staff at GSC are more than happy to help you assess your current goals, develop a plan, and set you on the right path to execute it with confidence.
Reach out to a coach today to get started!
.jpg)
