Nutrition

What booze is best for you?

I know I'll be going to lots of parties in the run-up to Christmas. Nutritionally, what's the best booze to stick to over the period, and what should I give a wide berth?
Stu Vine, Brighton

Nutritionist Dr Sarah Schenker replies: We often talk about the health benefits of, for example, a glass of red wine, but no alcoholic drink is healthy if you drink too much of it - any more than three or four units a day is dangerous. However, to avoid taking in too many calories, dilute spirits with diet mixers. Try vodka with lots of diet cola and ice, white wine spritzers with soda water and lager shandy with diet lemonade.

It's a good idea to avoid cream-based drinks, such as Bailey's and similar liqueurs, and calorie-laden cocktails that contain more than one spirit and creamy or sugary mixers. The average cocktail contains 230 calories compared with just 50 in a single gin and slimline tonic.