10 smart ways to limit alcohol
![Person pouring water into a glass](https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/images/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/limit-alcohol/prevn-limitalcohol-10smartways-hydratewithwater.jpg?rev=2f87276e45ba455d98b6a31bd6cc1d07&cx=0.5&cy=0.5&cw=527&ch=457&hash=C55C93C56B2075CA159129D971CEC63D)
Hydrate with water
Don’t use alcohol to quench your thirst.
![Four mocktails on a table with berries and other fruit](https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/images/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/limit-alcohol/prevn-limitalcohol-10smartways-mocktails.jpg?rev=283d8ef69e7b46b0bf2d890311e23a37&cx=0.5&cy=0.5&cw=527&ch=457&hash=6D83BE3388C6AED086A29D84270AEDBE)
Serve mocktails
When hosting a party, offer fun alcohol-free alternatives.
![A shot glass next to a lime](https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/images/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/limit-alcohol/prevn-limitalcohol-10smartways-measureyourdrinks.jpg?rev=5d71e7337c604a72ab01582c9c1e14c5&cx=0.5&cy=0.5&cw=527&ch=457&hash=21739C03ADCF34BC35DED917A6E68CAC)
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](https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/images/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/limit-alcohol/limitalcohol-10smartways-wind-down-without-alcohol.jpg?rev=0150d28767e64b9a859208d45a211741&cx=0.5&cy=0.5&cw=527&ch=457&hash=1B833624A6EECEC36FD0C84B5CB4978A)
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](https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/images/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/limit-alcohol/limitalcohol-10smartways-choose-non-salty-snacks.jpg?rev=711c6363ebed4f989651621493046ab4&cx=0.5&cy=0.5&cw=527&ch=457&hash=8FA3F43CB63C8A1237E65C33D0E82D89)
Choose non-salty snacks
Salt makes you drink more quickly. Eat veggies and dip or unsalted nuts.
![Two glasses of water on a table](https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/images/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/limit-alcohol/limitalcohol-10smartways-pace-yourself.jpg?rev=600375ce49824a9d80834a23ea32aacb&cx=0.5&cy=0.5&cw=527&ch=457&hash=4769CF4B236679A8007953E08C4B617C)
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](https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/images/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/limit-alcohol/prevn-limitalcohol-10-smart-ways-set-reasonable-goals.jpg?rev=3266d02e7cd74bc0a6ded483ed52e2b9&cx=0.5&cy=0.5&cw=527&ch=457&hash=4208F23E586D86EB6CA446CAB9AE8609)
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](https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/images/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/limit-alcohol/limitalcohol-10smartways-skip-predrinking.jpg?rev=94693b1f27524e2ea31b2e2fce265d00&cx=0.5&cy=0.5&cw=527&ch=457&hash=190CD12484F619DE8B24546EDD4D399C)
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)](https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/images/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/limit-alcohol/prevn-limitalcohol-10smartways-cutalcoholinhalf.jpg?rev=bf2294cbcfbe44ec99a00422ddd898bd&cx=0.5&cy=0.5&cw=527&ch=457&hash=E95A155161A549D3AF59D9D38CB32EDF)
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](https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/images/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/limit-alcohol/limitalcohol-10smartways-focus-off-drinking.jpg?rev=a19e9bbc8b8c422eac8364836d119447&cx=0.5&cy=0.5&cw=527&ch=457&hash=41560D070805DF7B96F6E524DAC160E5)
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!