10 smart ways to limit alcohol
About 4 in 10 cancer cases can be prevented through healthy living and policies that protect the health of Canadians. The good news is you can reduce your risk of cancer right now. There’s no time like the present to start making positive lifestyle changes to feel better and live longer.
Hydrate with water
Don’t use alcohol to quench your thirst.
Serve mocktails
When hosting a party, offer fun alcohol-free alternatives.
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!
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.
Achieve your health goals by going Dry this Feb
Dry Feb is a fundraiser that challenges you to go alcohol-free in February to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. It helps you get healthy, while raising funds for an important cause - it's a win-win. Sign up today!
Choose non-salty snacks
Salt makes you drink more quickly. Eat veggies and dip or unsalted nuts.
Pace yourself
Have a glass of water between each alcoholic drink and space your drinks about an hour apart.
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.
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.
Cut the alcohol in half
Have a shandy (beer with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale) or a wine spritzer (wine with club soda).
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!
This article has been republished with permission from the Canadian Cancer Society's website.
Important Note
Dry Feb is a fundraising campaign aimed at challenging social drinkers to change their habits for a month and make some healthy lifestyle changes. We would encourage people to drink responsibly and stick to the recommended daily guidelines for the rest of the year. We advise heavy drinkers or people dependent on alcohol to speak with their doctor before signing up to Dry Feb.
Go Dry this February
Fund groundbreaking research and provide a compassionate national support system for Canadians affected by cancer.