Great Happy Hour: A Healthy Guide To Happy Hour

If you're anything like me, you enjoy a great happy hour with close friends and coworkers. However, if you're on a diet, finding out what to eat or drink may be a difficult task for you.

Don't think you have to cut out drinks and hors d'oeuvres altogether....you don't!

Check out the guide below to learn how you can stay healthy during happy hour.

• Eat Before Showing Up. Before heading out for a drink ...or three, eat a healthy snack such as fruit or vegetables and dip that'll prevent you from eating a basket full of bread that'll most likely be sat in front of you.

• If you're rushing and don't have time to eat, there are plenty of appetizers you can order that wont have you feeling guilty such as:

• Shrimp Cocktail with not so much cocktail sauce

• Olives... just olives!

• Fruits and Cheese

• Veggies with hummus or guacamole

• Sharing is Caring. If you have a basket of bread or nachos sitting in front of you, donate it to someone around you that seems to be enjoying theirs already...or simply send it back! Having it just sitting near you will only make it more tempting.

• Drink Water! Order an ice water after every beer or cocktail (and finish it!). Drinking water will quickly fill up your stomach without the calories.

• Keep Moving! If you happen to be at a bar that has a pool table or shuffleboard, don't hesitate to play. Standing is known to burn 1.7 times more than sitting, so even dancing is a good idea. You'll also refill less than you would if you were just sitting at the bar.

• Drinks to Avoid I know , I know.. you probably love your tropical drinks and cocktails such as margaritas and mojitos but the truth is, these are the most fattening. For example, an 8 ounce standard margarita on the rocks contains about 455 calories.

Don't know what drinks to try out that'll save you the calories?

Here are a few:

Red Wine

Lite Beer

Rum and Diet Cola

Regular Martini

Margarita and Mojito WITHOUT the Sugary Syrup Mix

And of course don't forget to finish off with an ice water!

What are some happy hour tips you'd recommend ?