Losing weight in the summertime can be tough. From unhealthy picnic food to drinks at the beach bar, it can be hard to resist the warm weather temptations that try to sabotage your success. However, with a little planning and some simple swaps, you can stay on track with your weight loss goals while still partaking in some summer fun! All you need is some healthy recipes for the grill, some summer-inspired sweet treats and a go-to, weight loss-friendly cocktail that you can sip on all season long. For us, that cocktail is Ranch Water; the refreshing beverage that’s easy to make, easy to enjoy and easy to incorporate into your weight loss plan!
What is Ranch Water?
In short, Ranch Water is the trendy summer cocktail that’s perfect for chilling out and staying cool in the summer heat. It’s a super simple drink that only requires three ingredients to make:
- Tequila
- Lime juice
- Topo Chico Mineral Water1
Never had Topo Chico? This refreshing water is a naturally carbonated mineral water that’s imported from Mexico and bottled at the Cerro del Topo Chico spring.2 While you can easily swap in ordinary sparkling water or seltzer water into this summer cocktail, Topo Chico is the recommended mixer for its unique taste and mouthfeel.1 The bubbles aren’t as intense as standard seltzers and the minerals add a distinct taste that’s light and refreshing. Topo Chico and Ranch Water are very popular in Texas.3
Ranch Water on Nutrisystem
If you’re losing weight with Nutrisystem, you can still kick back and relax with a cold Ranch Water cocktail this summer. Just watch your portion sizes and stick to a maximum of two servings of alcohol per week (we recommend spreading them out and not having them on the same day). One shot or one and half ounces of tequila is considered one serving of liquor.
The rest of the ingredients in Ranch Water— lime juice and Topo Chico— are both considered Free Foods on your Nutrisystem plan. That means you can use as much or as little of them as you’d like when preparing your Ranch Water. You don’t have to measure anything out except for the tequila. Garnish with a fresh slice of lime, grab a straw and chill out with this weight loss-friendly cocktail!
Healthy Hacks
Because Ranch water is so easy to make, it’s also easy to customize! Swap out the lime juice and wedge with another citrus fruit that you like, such as lemons, grapefruits or oranges. Fresh berries would also be a tasty addition. Want to spice things up? Toss in some sliced jalapenos or rim the glass with a chili lime seasoning blend.1
You can add a touch of sweetness to your beverage with a little bit of zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. As we mentioned earlier, regular seltzer or sparkling water (plain or flavored) can be used in lieu of Topo Chico Mineral Water. However, keep in mind that it will change the classic Ranch Water taste. Topo Chico also comes in different flavors that you can use.
Looking for more diet-friendly cocktails for your weight loss plan? Click the link below for some inspiration!:
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