Some wine advice leading up to the bank holiday weekend..

It's almost the bank holiday weekend, and a lot of us will be having a glass of wine or two. I am not going to be a party pooper and tell you to stay clear, but here are some tips for damage limitation I have researched, when it comes to drinking wine.

• Seemingly you drink more wine when it is white, according to research from Iowa State University. They think it is because the white grape doesn't offer a strong visual contrast in a clear glass, so you're brain does not register it as a serving. Try having your white wine in a dark glass and leave your glass on the table as you pour rather than picking it up. Or have a glass of red instead, if research is correct, you will drink less. 
• Try drinking your wine out of a smaller glass, seemingly the smaller the glass the smaller the quantity you will consume. I will have mine from a shot glass I think !
• Try having a pint of water after each drink.
• Make yours a spritzer, mix your wine with sparkling water, avoid the fizzy drinks if you can.
• Before you go out, or before you have a drink at home, drink a pint of water. If you start drinking and are thirsty, chances are your first drink will be a thirst quencher, so why not use water to quench your thirst !

Finally, for those of you who enjoy a glass of Sangria, here are the maths: an average glass of Sangria has 130 cals. The red wine is antioxidant rich. Just make your own mixer, mix the juice of  four lemons and 1/2 tsp stevia with 1 litre water and add ice and mint. Yummy !