Are there any alcoholic drinks that are "healthier" or contain fewer calories? What types of drinks should I avoid?
Answers (5)
This is a realistic question facing many women our age. While it's a bit of a stretch to claim that any alcohol is "healthy," there's no doubt that some alcoholic beverages are lower in calories than others.
Here are some tricks to minimize your calories when you're out socializing after work (or on the weekend):
- Skip the "fun and fancy" cocktails such as daiquiris, margaritas and specialty martinis. The average margarita contains approximately 300+ calories, not to mention loads of sodium, and the average apple martini has approximately 235 calories.
- Drink light beer instead of regular. The average light beer contains 100 calories versus 145 calories for the same amount of a regular beer.
- Choose low-calorie or calorie-free mixers when drinking liquor drinks. Soda water with a splash of fruit juice can be vodka or rum's best friend, and it adds minimal calories.
- Don't be afraid to ask for a glass of water. Drinking water with and between your alcoholic drinks will both slow you down and help you stay better hydrated.
If I go with a higher calorie drink, I make sure it is made with fresh ingredients and not juices or generic mixers. For example, muddled berries and mint, freshly squeezed citrus, fresh ginger, etc. with a soda water filler and not soda or some other juice. That way I can at least get the benefits of the fruit or spice and not just a bunch of added sugar.
It's also good to have a big glass of water handy so when you get thirsty you can sip your alcoholic drink and take larger gulps of the water instead of guzzling down your cocktail and ordering another in a short amount of time.
There are some drinks that offer better nutrition while you're having the calories anyways—bloody mary, but ask if it can be made with real tomato juice and spices instead of a mix, same deal with micheladas. I also had a kombucha mimosa the other day—delicious! and there's no end to the benefits of a pro-biotic like kombucha.