• the217
• Food + Drink
• The Calorie Culprit

Every college student dreads the words “Freshman Fifteen”. Unfortunately, cafeteria food isn’t the only culprit. The greatest college enemy in the war against gaining weight is alcohol. These college friendly drinks have simple substitutes.

1) Screwdrivers, two parts vodka, three parts Orange Juice, are a tasty, fruit-filled drink but pack the calories with a large 354 calories per 12 ounces. Substitute grapefruit juice for orange juice and you’ll consume 15 calories less.

2) What exactly is in those tasty Ice Bombs CO Daniels serves up every Wednesday? With UV Blue Raspberry Vodka, orange vodka, vodka, and Sprite, an Ice Bomb every Wednesday guarantees you’ll need to spend extra hours at the gym. 657 calories per 12 ounces come mainly from the high alcohol content but by substituting Diet Sprite Zero for Sprite, you’ll consume 35 calories less in a 12 ounce beverage.

3) Grabbing a beer may be your best bet to cut calories at the bar. A Miller Genuine Draft is 143 calories per 12 ounces. Even with the low calorie content in a beer, there is still room for improvement. A Miller Lite holds a mere 96 calories per 12 ounces.

Overall, it’s the alcohol content in your drink that is calorie heavy, but small substitutes cut calories and hopefully inches from your waistline.