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  5. 10 smart ways to limit alcohol

10 smart ways to limit alcohol

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Reduce your risk
  4. Limit alcohol
  5. 10 smart ways to limit alcohol
Person pouring water into a glass

Hydrate with water

Don’t use alcohol to quench your thirst.
Four mocktails on a table with berries and other fruit

Serve mocktails

When hosting a party, offer fun alcohol-free alternatives. 
A shot glass next to a lime

Measure your drinks

At home, use a shot glass to keep track of exactly how much you’re pouring. In restaurants, stick to single portions – don’t supersize your drinks! 
Person holding a tea cup while reading a book

Wind down without alcohol

Want to relax after a busy day? Go for a walk, practise yoga, have a bath, curl up with a book or chat with a friend.
A bowl of unsalted nuts

Choose non-salty snacks

Salt makes you drink more quickly. Eat veggies and dip or unsalted nuts.
Two glasses of water on a table

Pace yourself

Have a glass of water between each alcoholic drink and space your drinks about an hour apart.
Person sitting outside on the grass eating berries

Set reasonable goals

You’ll have more success than if you try to cut out alcohol all at once. Try “I won’t drink alone” or “I’ll have 3 alcohol-free days a week” to start.
Group of people drinking

Skip “pre-drinking”

Don’t have drinks before you go out. It’s easy to lose track of how much you drink when you start at home and continue at a party, bar or restaurant. 
Glass of shandy (beer with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale)

Cut the alcohol in half

Have a shandy (beer with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale) or a wine spritzer (wine with club soda). 
Group of people playing pool together

Take the focus off drinking

Don’t just sit on a barstool when you’re out with friends – dance, play pool or have some fun with karaoke!