Alcohol Tips and Suggestions
- Hard liquor on the rocks with club soda and lime, lemon, mint sprig, a cherry, orange slice or an olive avoids the added calories in a mixed drink and takes a little longer to finish.
- Choose diet soda or diet juice as your base, if you want a sweeter mixed drink.
- Consider just having a “mocktail,” such as a diet soda or non-caloric sparkling water (not tonic water) with a fun fruit slice and maybe even a festive umbrella for flare makes the drink feel special. You could even add a tiny splash of grenadine for color.
- Wine is a good choice for something you can savor slowly.
- Beer should be light, ultra or whatever the low-cal version is.
- Calories in a light beer, 5 ounce glass of wine, or 1 1/2 ounce shot are comparable.
- Focus on slowing down (table, glass, chair!) to make drinks last longer. If it will be a long night, definitely alternate between alcohol and a calorie-free beverage (preferably water). You should always stay well hydrated, especially since alcohol is a diuretic.
- Alcohol can stimulate appetite, so enter the evening well-nourished with a balanced meal. Beware of appetizers and bar snacks—if you realize you are truly hungry, make yourself a small plate or napkin and use table, plate, chair to mindfully eat and enjoy.
Top 5 Low-Calorie Cocktails
#1. LIGHT BEER (12-ounce bottle):
- Calories: 110
- Carbs: 6.6 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0.9 grams
#2. CHAMPAGNE (4.2-ounce glass):
- Calories: 81
- Carbs: 1.2 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0.2 grams
#3. RED or WHITE WINE (4.2-ounce glass):
- Calories: 100
- Carbs: 4 gram
- Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
#4. JACK DANIELS (single shot):
- Calories: 98
- Carbs: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
#5. VODKA (single shot):
- Calories: 96
- Carbs: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
How Many Calories Does Alcohol Contain?
Pure alcohol contains about 7 calories per gram, which makes it nearly twice as caloric as carbohydrates or protein (both contain about 4 calories per gram) and only just under the caloric value for fat (9 calories per gram).
Source and article: How Alcohol Affects Weight Loss – ShapeFit.com