Most alcohol is actually low in calories unless you start drinking cocktails that contain a lot of creamy liquors or fruit juices. The problem with alcohol is that it changes the way your body works, forcing you to burn alcohol calories before you burn fat. Alcohol can also increase appetite, according to NetDoctor. If you're going to drink anyway, it makes sense to choose the best possible options.
Hard Liquors
Hard liquors are lower in calories than other types of alcohol. Vodka, whisky and gin are all good options when you're trying to lose weight. For example, a vodka shot -- 35 ml -- contains 72 calories. The same amount of lager beer contains 110 calories, while Irish cream liquor can contain about 130 calories. Another reason that hard liquors are more diet-friendly than other alcoholic drinks is because you're likely to drink less of them. Since vodka, gin, rum and other hard liquors have a higher alcohol content, they'll cause you to get drunk faster. For most people, this means they'll end up drinking less before they reach their limit.
Cocktails
If you're going to drink cocktails, you'll have to choose carefully. Many are high in calories and loaded with sugars. A Bloody Mary is a good choice. At 120 calories per 4.6 oz serving, it's still diet friendly. It also contains tomato juice, which provides a kick of vitamins. Although slightly higher at 131 calories, a Cosmopolitan is still acceptable. Stay away from Hurricanes, with contain tons of sugar and a whopping 384 calories.
Other Drinks
If you drink wine, both white and red have about 100 calories per 5 oz. serving. Sweet dessert wine is another story -- A 5 oz. serving contains 344 calories. Light beer is your best choice at 110 calories or less per 12 oz. bottle, followed by regular beer at 150 calories. Dark ales contain close to 170 calories. Some low-carb beers contain as few as 70 calories.
Tips on Drinking and Weight Loss
According to the University of Rochester's Health Promotion Office, how you drink is just as important as what you drink. To make alcohol diet-friendly, add club soda; you'll be drinking more and feeling more satisfied, but the overall calorie count will be lower. Try drinking water between glasses of alcohol to keep you hydrated and to reduce the amount of alcohol you're drinking. Adding diet soda to drinks can also increase their size without the addition of sugar or calories.
References
- NetDoctor: Alcoholic Drinks
- Weight Loss Resources: How Many Calories in Alcoholic Drinks
- University of Rochester: Caloric Values of Alcoholic Beverages
- The Washington Post; Alcohol Counts; Sally Squires; 2005
- State University of New York; Alcohol, Calories & Weight; Prof. David J. Hanson, Ph.D.; 2011
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