Dane Robinson, a NASM-certified Personal Trainer & Performance-Enhancement Specialist at Midtown Athletic Club in Windy Hill, and an accomplished Arena Football League Player, takes over the blog today to talk about how to create a healthier margarita.
The margarita is a classic staple of the American summertime gathering.
When made correctly, it’s a simple, three-ingredient drink that when consumed responsibly won’t derail your health and fitness goals.
Unfortunately, grocery and liquor store shelves are stocked with unhealthy margarita products that are not only unnecessary, but also bad for your body.
Fortunately, it’s quite easy to create a healthier margarita.
1. Lose the Cans
If your margarita-flavored drink comes in a can, chances are it contains bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical linked to serious health problems, such as cancer, birth defects, miscarriages, obesity, and a whole host of other diseases. Plus, consuming a margarita from anything other than its signature glass is just plain wrong.
2. Bypass the Bar Mix
While convenient, store-bought sour mixes are loaded with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which is linked to diabetes, decreased liver function, and the growth of cancer cells. Recently, HFCS was also shown to decrease cognitive function following just six weeks of consumption.
3. Ditch the Dyes
If it’s not organic, chances are those pre-made margarita mixes you see on store shelves contain food dyes, most notably Yellow #5 and Red #40. Derived from petroleum and linked to cancer and hyper-activity, food dyes are bad news.
4. Embrace Your Inner Bartender
You may think you need a mixology degree to make a mean margarita, but an authentic, chemical-free margarita is actually a breeze to make. Once you’ve assembled the ingredients, the only other things you need are a shaker and a dish for the optional coarse salt.
5. Create the Drink
The best and most healthful margarita is one made from organic ingredients whenever possible.
Here’s how to do it:
Rub the rim of a margarita glass with a lime slice, and then dip the rim in coarse salt.
Add the following to a shaker:
1 1/2 ounces of tequila
1/2 an ounce of Triple Sec
Juice from one large lime
Coarse salt for rim of glass
Combine the ingredients, pour into the glass, and enjoy!
