A night out is all fun and games until you realize how many calories are in that blue guy you just iced out.

We all have a week where we are determined to make it to that one exchange, work bar-crawl, wine night or drop in to that oh-so-deserved happy hour on Friday.

These nights out are not even free for girls – not free of carbs that is! Avoiding calories can never hurt, especially with spring break and formal season right around the corner. Luckily, there are a few drinks that will be the reason you can still button your chinos.  

Some helpful tips to remember about mixed drinks are that if they are not the color of the main alcohol that is in it, your drink will be at least 500 calories. That is equivalent to a little more than 50 burpees! No one wants to see those drinks add up on their hips and waist. Stick to these mixed drinks and shots so all that hard work at the gym is not in vain.

Vodka water and lime. The classic vodka water and fresh lime has fewer calories than vodka sprites and isn’t as abrasive as a straight up vodka shot. If you aren’t a fan of the lime flavor you can always order vodka water and add a crystal light packet for a sweeter zero calorie option.  Also adding a lemon and a lime can just make it that much more interesting for your taste buds!

Whiskey water and lime on the rocks. Whiskey water and a fresh lime – perfect for the whiskey enthusiasts out there when you are sick of vodka and want to try something with a delicious southern kick. Much like the vodka version, the water cuts the bite of the whiskey and the lime gives it the taste of a soco and lime without the calories of the fake sugary lime juice bars use.

Whiskey diets. The classic whiskey diet coke is a favorite during barndance season and is the go-to for any sorority girl with a diet coke addiction. Whiskey diets are my personal favorite and guys will eventually catch on that whiskey cokes are a thing of the past when we get closer to spring break and warmer weather.

Tequila shots. Your night might get a little hazy with straight tequila shots, but you can skip the orange juice calories in a tequila sunrise. Also, you will instantly earn massive points with any misters.

Vodka tonics. Vodka tonics are a great option if you are sick of vodka water limes and want to switch it up. The tonic often takes a bit to get used to for a first timer, but this will prepare you for big city drinking once you have a real job and drinks cost $15!

There are quite a few drinks you want to avoid. Here are a few.

Blue guys. The trademark of Kams has always been the infamous blue guy. Dancing on the tables of the beer garden during block won’t burn nearly enough calories to make this a guilt-free option.

Whiskey cokes. Whiskey cokes are usually the drink of choice of most frat stars at the bar, but beware the calories. Two hours on the elliptical will be a complete waste after about three whiskey cokes!

Vodka sprites. Sprite has fewer calories than coke, but is a close second in the race of drinks to avoid. Also a little known fact about Sprite is that it is more likely to promote acne. Save your skin and be slim avoiding this one!

Wine. Tuesday Wine Night is my favorite night to go out, but it is the most dangerous in terms of straying from a diet. Any sweet wine will rival any of the offenders above in calories, but more important is the high sugar content of these sorority favorites. This sugar will cause your body to store it as fat on that hard earned muscle from your earlier workout.