People who are trying to lose weight are often interested in dietary alcoholic beverages. It is especially true for women who try to monitor their appearance. Alcohol and diet are incompatible concepts, although there are many alcoholic diets. Some drinks are less harmful to the figure.
TOP 10 low-calorie alcoholic beverages
- Margarita
- Gin and Tonic
- Red wine (dry wine has tannins in its components (they slow down the process of alcohol absorption in the gastrointestinal tract)
- Martini
- White wine
- Light beer (contains the least kcal)
- Vodka soda
- Champagne (gases contained in it adversely affect the body)
- Mojito
- Paloma
The lowest calorie drinks can also add extra pounds if you consume them in large quantities. Therefore, even light beer should be drunk no more than one glass and not every day.
Margaret
Margarita is a cocktail belonging to the group of short cocktails. Previously, it was qualified as an aperitif, but nowadays it has been assigned the status of a “modern classic”. In the 70s and 80s tequila, sales doubled thanks to Margarita.
This drink can become very high in calories with the addition of sugar. It is also affected by the addition of toppings in cocktails. Fresh lime juice, tequila, and a little agave syrup with ice can help reduce the calorie content of the drink in mixtures. To saturate the Margarita with vitamins, it is worth adding orange juice there. This citrus fruit can add to the drink vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
Calorie content: 95 kcal
Gin and Tonic
It is an alcoholic cocktail consisting of gin, tonic, lemon slices, and ice. Gin and Tonic is one of the most popular cocktails. It appeared in the XVIII century so that the sailors of the Royal Navy of Great Britain did not suffer from scurvy and malaria. The chemical composition of Gin and Tonic: vitamins B2 and PP, as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and sodium.
The combination of Gin and Tonic is considered classic, but even such a drink can contain 142 kcal. Why? Manufacturers produce tonics with sweeteners that significantly increase the calorie content of the cocktail. There is a way to fix this: add seltzer water instead of tonic.
Calorie content: 97 kcal
Red wine
Wine is one of the most ancient alcoholic beverages. Red wine was so valued in ancient times that it served as a currency in some countries. Dry red wine is an alcoholic drink that has undergone the process of fermentation of grape juice and complete fermentation of sugar. The alcohol content is 8.5-15%.
Some argue that drinking red wine in limited quantities can significantly improve health. The main thing is to know the measure and features of your body. If you want to make the drink less caloric, it is better to use dry wines. They contain less sugar and calories.
Calorie content: 125 kcal
Martini
Vermouth is translated from German as “wormwood”. The noble bitterness and aftertaste of the nondescript herb wormwood is a distinctive feature of all vermouths. The history of vermouth goes back far into the past, when not quite successful wine was not poured, but they tried to refine it by adding various herbs and spices. The most famous vermouth now is a Martini. As in any other drink, proportions and quantity are important. Due to its high strength, caloric content decreases.
Calorie content: 120 kcal
White wine
Dry white wine is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages. It is combined with fish, light meats, cheese, and sweets. This type of wine is called dry. During its preparation, almost all the sugar evaporates from it, and the strength turns out to be one of the lowest in the entire wine classification.
Among other things, dry white wine in its composition contains a large amount of calcium and magnesium. Here you can also find a huge list of acidic enzymes, along with vitamins C, P, B1, and B2, as well as iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and other trace elements.
Dry white wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, have a lower sugar content, which leads to fewer calories. Sweeter varieties, such as Riesling, can contain about 165 calories per serving. And, again, the serving size matters.
Calorie content: 121 kcal
Light beer
Interesting fact – beer is the most popular alcoholic drink. Beer is usually called a low-alcohol drink, characterized by a bright aroma, a mandatory bitterness in the taste, and the presence of dense foam. It is made from water, malt, hops, and yeast.
The history of beer origin goes back to ancient Egypt. The chemical composition of light beer: vitamins B2 and PP, as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and sodium. Yeast, which is part of light beer, is very useful.
Calorie content: 100 kcal
Vodka soda
Vodka is an alcoholic drink, an aqueous-alcoholic solution that does not have a color, a pronounced smell, and taste. According to the strength of this drink, it can be different, mainly the percentage varies from 40 to 50%. If you think that vodka contains only alcohol diluted with water, you are mistaken. In addition to the above two components, there is a small amount of higher alcohols and fusel oils in the drink. Soda vodka does not contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners. It reduces the calorie content.
Calorie content: 97 kcal
Champagne
Champagne is a sparkling wine that is producing in the French province of Champagne. All other drinks containing carbon dioxide can only be called sparkling. Like everything brilliant, this drink was born by accident. In the XVII century, French winemakers unexpectedly received a “diabolical” wine-sparkling wine that broke the barrels. The chemical composition of the drink: vitamins B2 and PP, as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and sodium.
The rules for choosing this low-calorie drink are the same as for wine. Dry Сhampagne has fewer calories.
Calorie content: 95 kcal
Mojito
The Mojito cocktail is a “bestseller” of summer parties. Refreshing, invigorating, bubbling, energetic, incendiary – all this is the Mojito cocktail, the most famous of mixed alcoholic beverages. The chemical composition of the Mojito cocktail: vitamins B2 and PP, as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and sodium.
Mojito is a mixture of mint leaves, rum, and soda water with sugar. Reducing your sugar intake or replacing regular sugar with a sweetener such as a stevia can help reduce your calorie intake.
Calorie content: 143 kcal
Paloma
“Paloma” is an alcoholic cocktail based on tequila. You can prepare this drink by mixing tequila, lime juice, and soda with grapefruit flavor. This cocktail is good with light desserts and fruits.
Grapefruit lovers should consider Paloma as an alternative to a margarita. The drink has tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and soda water for a margarita-style taste. You need to use fresh grapefruit juice instead of bottled to save calories.
Calorie content: 170 kcal
Counting calories in alcoholic beverages
Some alcoholic beverages (for example, wine) do not contain many calories if consumed in moderation. However, not everyone knows the measure of drinking. Alcoholic beverages have a diuretic effect. This applies not only to beer.
Any alcohol-containing drink dehydrates the body, washes out beneficial elements. Any alcohol-containing products in large amounts can add extra pounds. In addition, drinks with a degree cause an appetite. In order not to get fat, you need to count the number of calories daily.
Now it is fashionable to be slim and fit, and for this, you need to monitor your weight. How to choose the lowest-calorie drink and not gain extra pounds? After all, it is very caloric in itself. According to this indicator, pure alcohol is close to fat and vegetable oil. According to doctors, alcohol in small quantities is necessary for the body.
The benefits of almost any alcoholic beverage have been proven. Each of them is useful and necessary in its way. You need to take into account the calorie content of alcoholic benefits if you want to lose weight. But it all depends on the amount. A small dose certainly will not do any harm, especially if you drink your portion slowly sipping, and not in one gulp.
Wines contain a large set of trace elements, reduce the content of cholesterol in the blood, and have a good effect on the circulatory system. Wine contains very few calories, but there are quite a lot of different beneficial substances. Dry wine is rightfully considered one of the most useful among all alcoholic beverages. It has a lot of positive properties and gives a lot of benefits to the body if you use it within reasonable limits.
Wine, especially dry, is very useful for weight loss. Also, do not forget about light beer. The drink contains hops, which help to relieve stress and nervousness, soothes and improves sleep. The caloric content of this drink is also low. Stronger alcoholic beverages also have some properties. They are also low-calorie and not so bad for losing weight.
How to drink and not gain weight
It is better not to drink at all, and often this is the optimal solution. If you continue to drink, then the first advice is, of course, rationing. It helps to minimize both the harm to health and the number of calories consumed.
In addition, you need to imagine how alcohol acts after taking it. Any drink begins to absorb into your body. Moreover, absorption begins with the oral cavity. Therefore, even after rinsing the oral cavity repeatedly with something strong, you have the opportunity to get drunk.
Alcohol slows down the processes of digestion and food splitting, including reducing the activity of fat splitting.
- Before drinking alcohol (for example, at a party), start digestion with some glasses of warm water. Next, in the process of drinking, do not neglect snacks, it is better to choose something like lean meat. Drinking on an empty stomach is only more harmful to your figure and health.
- Do not drink to the bottom, determine for yourself the minimum doses for the entire period of the feast. In addition, watch the number of degrees and calories. Choose less alcoholic drinks and less high-calorie ones
What are the most high-calorie drinks?
Cocktails and diets are incongruous. You should remember this fact and accept it, because in a cocktail:
- there are often carbonated components
- a lot of sweet ingredients and a lot of calories
- a significant amount of strong and high-calorie alcohol can hide under an attractive taste
Therefore, a cocktail is the best option for use. Even if we are talking about those where there are only 2-3 components.
According to this principle, we should exclude white wine too. Also, you should not take sweet alcoholic beverages, for example, sweet wine. They are excessively high in calories, and manufacturers can add sugar to cheap varieties.
Lowest calorie drinks recipes
- “Mojito Light”. Prepare one of the most popular summers refreshing cocktails in a light version. Here everything is as simple as possible – prepare a syrup from a sweetener yourself or use a natural alternative – for example, date, maple, or grape. What to add?
- Rum – 60 ml
- Syrup – 30 ml
- Soda – 30 ml
- Lime juice – 30 ml and a couple of whole slices
- Mint leaves – to taste
The energy value is about 140 kcal per serving.
- Strawberry-citrus vodka. This combination is equally good in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. Replace the vodka with soda and voila-the refreshing lemonade is ready! What to add?
- Citrus vodka – 50 ml
- Strawberries – 4 pcs.
- A sprig of mint – 1 pc.
- Syrup – 20 ml
- Lemon juice – 20 ml
The energy value is about 250 kcal per serving.
3.”Old Fashion”. This is not just an official cocktail of the International Association of Bartenders, but also an excellent choice for those who watch their figure. What to add?
- Whiskey – 50 ml
- Cane sugar/coconut / sweetener-1 teaspoon
- Ice-according to the size of the glass
- Orange peel for decoration
The energy value is about 250 kcal per serving.
Final thoughts
Losing weight with the help of alcoholic beverages is a bad idea. However, in certain cases, it is better to know which drink to use. Quite often we have spontaneous meetings or parties where we want to drink a cocktail. With advanced knowledge about the calorie content of drinks, you will always be safe.
It is also worth remembering that cocktails are the most high-calorie alcoholic beverages. Strong drinks without flavorings and sweeteners contain a minimum of calories.
