According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinkers should educate themselves on the caloric values of different alcoholic drinks. Awareness of alcohol's nutritional values will enable drinkers to make informed decisions about their drinking habits as they relate to caloric intake and weight management.
Significance
The NIAAA offers drinkers a great deal of information regarding the caloric values of alcoholic beverages. Drinkers can use these tools to track their daily alcohol intake and calculate the total calories they consume. The NIAAA notes that these tools are often critical for controlling alcohol abuse and practicing healthy weight management.
Serving Sizes
It's important for drinkers to note that each type of alcohol has a different serving size. The NIAAA notes that beer has a serving size of 12 fluid oz., while wine is poured in servings of 6 fluid oz. and liquor is served in 1.5-oz. shots. This is significant because if you drink large servings of wine or liquor, you'll often consume more calories than if you have just one serving of beer.
Considerations
Beer contains an average of 140 calories per serving, while wine and liquors contain an average of 98 calories per serving. Mixed drinks, cocktails and sweet wines or liqueurs can contain higher calories per serving. The NIAAA encourages consumers to use resources and tools on its website to track and evaluate their drinking habits.
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