Guilt-free booze for the party season

PARTY season is almost here, but how do you make sure you don’t binge drink during the festive fun or end up with a Santa-sized belly from the calories in all that booze?

Figures show Brits will put away 600 million units of alcohol in the run-up to Christmas – the equivalent of 265 million pints – and almost half of us expect to drink more than the recommended levels. Here are top tips to reduce the amount you’ll down – and some healthier swaps from your usual whether you’re on a night out or celebrating at home.

A pint of Carling at 4% ABV has less – 2.3 units and 187 calories.

Michelob Ultra at 3.5% ABV has 79 calories per 355ml; Skinny Lager at 4% ABV is 89 calories a bottle; a 440ml can of Skol is 2.8% ABV, 1.2 units, 136 calories.

A 500ml bottle of Bulmers at 4.5% ABV, just 2.2 units for similar calories.

Kopparberg Light with Cranberry or Raspberry is 4% ABV,

1 unit and 85 calories per 250ml can. A 500ml can of Woodpecker, 3.5% ABV, 1.8 units, 160 calories.

A 120ml glass of champagne or prosecco, 12% ABV, is 1.5 units and just 80 calories.

Lambrini Skinny sparkling perry is 3.5% ABV, 0.4 units, 29 calories per 125ml, or choose a low calorie wine such as B White by Black Tower – 5.5% ABV, 0.7 units, 55 calories per 125ml.

A gin or vodka with diet mixer is just 50-55 calories, while a cosmopolitan cocktail is around 210 calories.

A 250ml can of Tesco or Sainsbury’s Gin and Diet Tonic at 5% ABV, less than a unit and around 68 calories.

Loud music boosts alcohol consumption according to scientists at the University of Portsmouth – probably because we talk less and spend more time with a glass at our mouth. EAT RIGHT: Line your stomach with omega 3 good fats, like salmon, before drinking – it slows the rate of alcohol absorption. But avoid salty snacks that increase thirst.IN THE MIX: Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or non-alcoholic tipples, but avoid combining alcohol with energy drinks, like vodka and Red Bull. A study, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, found it makes you more likely to binge. Use the Drinkaware app to log your units. drinkaware.co.uk

Studies show that we drink faster while standing up, and also that we consume 12% more wine if we hold a glass as we pour, instead of putting it on a table.LIGHTEN UP: Avoid darker spirits like whisky and brandy which have more congeners – linked to causing hangovers – than lighter ones such as vodka. GET JIGGERED: A normal pub serving of spirits is 25ml, but at home we tend to pour out more. Get yourself a cheap bar-style jigger to help measure your drinks out.

CHOOSE QUIETER VENUES: