Are you doing Dry July? How’s it going? Are you on track? Or are you simply looking for smart tips to curb your alcohol intake for weight loss or good health? This week’s guest is on his 3rd Dry July, so well equipped to bring us the scoop.
About our expert:
Brett Parker is a passionate Nutrition and Dietetics student at Griffith University. An experienced cook and big believer in culinary nutrition; the marriage of cooking with the science of nutrition; he is always looking for creative ways to present healthy food and beverages. Follow Brett on twitter at @dietitiantobe.
Yes! This is my 3rd Dry July. I originally did the first one after my mum had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer (thankfully she is now cancer free). Like a lot of people I also saw Dry July as a proactive way to explore my habits around booze.
About Dry July
Dry July is a fundraiser that challenges participants to abstain from alcohol for a month to support adults living with cancer. It helps you assess your healthy habits while also raising funds for an important cause. Taking part in Dry July also gives you the chance to focus on yourself – notice your own drinking habits and the value of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Most people find that Dry July highlights Australian’s strong association of alcohol with social activities, notably birthdays, celebrations and special events. July always seems to have a particularly large amount on – State of Origin 3rd series game (although, yes, NSW had already won), Wimbledon, The Football World Cup, The Tour de France, & Christmas in July. So how to get through to the 31st?
1. Become a mocktail mixologist and celebrate in style
My first challenge was looking for a way to celebrate at my post first-marathon party? So I decided to modify some traditional cocktails that would up the fruit content, lower the sugar content and (obviously) omit the alcohol. What I ended up with was a Rockmelon and Orange Margarita, Strawberry and Lemon Daiquiri, and Kiwifruit Mojito. Guess what. . . .? They were goooood. I mean, real good. And very popular with my guests.
2. Find a bevvy to have with the blokes
Ok, so I knew a night out with boys was my next challenge where ordering a fruity mocktail, may turn things a little ugly. So I figured I needed something blokier (is that a word?!). So it just had to be beer. And bam, I found virtually alcohol-free Coopers Birell Premium. I was amazed at how good the taste was. It even looked like beer! Now you may not be into “near beer”…but it is an option I’ll be going back to. Non-alcoholic, boutique ginger beer also cuts it too.
3. Try something fresh and new on date night
So next up Mrs Parker and I headed out to a restaurant, where we would have typically treated ourself to a bottle of good wine. On arrival it was packed with revelers enjoying alcohol at every table! And it’s not surprising when I checked the menu which only had one token mocktail. I chose the sparkling water as I needed some kind of bubbles to celebrate the weekend. We tried to focus on conversation, enjoying the meal and not feeling too restricted or somewhat isolated when eating out. But why not switch date night to “date brunch” or “date movie going”, so you avoid the need for alcohol to be the main focus?
4. Lobby for change at your favourite eats
I wish more, innovative non-alcoholic beverages were offered on menus. And love this quote from Alex Kratena, head bartender at a leading Artesian Bar in London, “I feel nonalcoholic cocktails are in the same position where vegetables were years back. It used to be that a dish was constructed around a piece of meat, and then chefs became interested in stretching their creativity by experimenting more heavily with vegetables. These days, you see vegetarian tasting menus at Michelin three-star restaurants.” Maybe if everyone doing Dry July asked for better options all year round, we would be on to something?
Editor’s comment:
Thanks so much Brett. You can follow Brett’s progress lovely readers for the rest of July here and contribute donations – all funds go towards The Princess Alexandra Hospital Cancer Ward in Brisbane. We’d love to hear your tips too? Or how you are going with Dry July?
