To Sip or Not to Sip

One of the things I find really hard to give up in this weight loss journey and just being fit and healthy is alcohol. Some people don't want to give up there cakes and pies and pastas. I personal do not want to give up my tequila and red wine.

But, drinking alcohol can affect your weight loss progress. The fact of the matter is alcohol is filled with empty calories; there is nothing nutritious or healthy about drinking this useless substance. It contains about 7 calories per gram - which is nearly twice the calorie content found in carbs and protein (4calories/gram). Also, having a few glasses of wine or a couple of beers can equal an entire meal or a snack it just depends on how many you plan on taking back. I limit my alcohol intake to twice a week and those are the days I know I am going to be out with friends or going on a hot date. One thing I felt was helpful for me was knowing the amount of calories certain drinks have. So, if you can count calories and you need to have that glass of wine or beer or mixed drink(which is the worst when it comes to calories) knowing the amount of calories in certain drinks may help you decide what to sip or what not to sip!

Wines are the best place to start they have less then 160 calories. White wines contain about 65 calories and Reds contain about 70 calories. Port wines have the smallest serving size but the highest number of calories starting at 120.

Now beer on the other hand contain anywhere between 95-210 calories. One of the lightest beers is Anheuser Busch Select 55 with only has 55 calories. Then there is Michelob Ultra with 95 calories or a Bud Select with 99 calories. Shoot for the light beers, they have fewer than 100 calories. Most of the darker beers are loaded with calories and I would say stay away from them if possible. So for the heavy beer drinkers if you take 4-6 beers back then you are drinking on average between 400-600 calories in just of few hours of drinking. No wonder people have beer belly’s.

Hard liquor on the other hand ranges from 125 calories + just depends on the type of drink you are getting. If you are drinking hard liquor straight up then you have less calories to worry about, but when you add a mixer that is not a diet soda or club soda that’s when the calories start adding up. Example if you enjoy downing a margarita then a 4oz serving contains 180 calories (all carbs). Now the average margarita glass holds 12oz so you will be drinking 540 calories from one drink. Vodka and cranberry juice is about 167 calories. These types of drinks can really put a damper on your weight loss progress. Most of the mixed drinks contain a lot of carbs mainly from the juice which is one of the reasons you may feel really full after a night of drinking.

I am not saying don’t drink because obviously I do enjoy a glass of wine every now and then. But do watch what you are drinking and know that alcohol can play a role if you not meeting your weight loss goals. So just ask yourself when you are out to sip or not to sip!

Enjoy,

STL Healthnut