In the spirit

A recent wake-up call from the University of North Carolina: Adults' daily intake of calories from beverages has increased 94% over the past 37 years. Many beverages and fancy cocktails that we drink on holidays such as Christmas and St. Patrick's Day are especially calorie-laden.

Among the worst are the most popular: Eggnog, Irish coffee, and chocolate martinis.

The good news: It's easy to reduce caloric intake from beverages.

Make it a spritzer: If you are a white wine drinker, pour equal parts of wine and seltzer or club soda. Note: A 4-oz. glass of white wine has 98 calories, while a spritzer (made with 2 ounces of wine and 2 ounces of club soda) contains only 49 calories.

Go light: Choose a light beer or a drink made with fresh fruit juices or carbonated mixers. Better yet, seek out lite cranberry juice, or diet soda.

Pace yourself: After each alcoholic beverage, drink a glass of water or a diet soda. Drinking water is the best way to keep from getting really hungry. An extra bonus: It will help you avoid morning-after headaches.

Pour your own drinks: If your host has a heavy hand, make your own drinks so you can control the amount of each ingredient.

Sin a little bit: Enjoy one drink (or a few sips of a drink) made with cream or cream-based liqueurs, or syrupy fruit mixtures. Then switch to a less fattening beverage.

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