We all know that drinking and dieting don't mix. Alcohol is
empty calories, quickly converts to sugar and lowers our
inhibitions so we are inclined to eat more. However, for most of
us, drinking is a part of birthdays, weddings, anniversaries,
weekends, holidays, travel, fine dining, cheap dining, home dining,
vacations, boat trips, sailing trips, camping trips, barbecues,
happy hours, and in Europe...breakfast. OK, I think you get my
drift. That being said, here's the buzz on how to not let
drinking become dangerous to your diet:
Vodka
Cranberry/Tonic/Straight: One of the best alcoholic
beverages for losing weight is 1.5 shot of vodka (98 calories) with
a low or no calorie mixer, such as Schweppes diet tonic or diet
cranberry juice (Try Ocean Spray's Diet Cranberry Juice at 5
calories). Another option if you can stomach it is to drink
vodka straight. Now with all of the flavored vodkas, such as
Absolut Pears vodka, this is an option.
Captain Morgan
& Diet Coke: A 1.5 shot of Captain Morgan (86
calories) with Diet Coke (0 calories) is a great option for bars
that don't have calorie free mixers. Almost every place
carries Captain Morgan and Diet Coke. And Captain Morgan (86
calories) is fewer calories than regular rum (98 calories).
Sugar Free Red Bull
& Vodka: If you are someone who wants um, "wings"
when you are out, the Sugar Free Red Bull (10 calories) mixed with
1.5 shot of Vodka (98 calories) is a good option.
Beer:
If you are a beer drinker, try and stick to Miller or Amstel
Lite (96 calories, 4.2% alcohol) versus your average 150 calorie
beer. Another second place option is Bud Light (110 calories, 4.2%
alcohol).
Mimosa:
Now you can also enjoy a very low calorie mimosa. Take 2 oz.
of Minute Maid Light orange juice (12 calories) and 3 oz. of
champagne (78 calories). And voila... a 90 calorie mimosa!
Wine:
For all of you out there who have ever made fun of boxed wine (not
me, no, NEVER) - I have some ironic news. The butt of all the
jokes is having the last laugh. Franzia "Refreshing
White" white wine (90 calories, 12.5% alcohol) is the lowest
calorie you can get! Maybe they should market themselves as
the diet wine and rebrand. SHHHH, don't tell anyone, but
it actually kinda tastes good, not to mention the obvious
"low-cost" benefit. One thing to note is that this
wine has about 12.5% alcohol, where the high alcohol content wines
come in at about 14.0%.
Here is the run down of the averages of the different types of
alcoholic drinks:
- 5 oz. - Red or White Wine: 120 calories
- 12 oz. - Beer: 150 calories
- 12 oz. - Coolers: 220 calories
- 12 oz. - Whiskey: 96 calories for 1.5 shots
- 12 oz. - Tequilla: 96 calories for 1.5 shots
Here are some specific alcohol "Beat It's":
- 12 oz. - Smirnoff Ice: 241 calories
- 12 oz. - Mike's Hard Lemonade: 220 calories
- 12 oz. - Bartles & Jaymes: 190 calories
To see all of Calorista's healthy, low calorie food
recommendations, articles and recipes,
click here.
