In this post, I'm going to give a little guide on how to drink smarter when you go out with your friends that won't necessarily regret...calorie-wise that is :).
1. The higher the proof, the higher the calories. White or clear liquors (mainly vodka) generally have less calories than dark liquors (rums and whiskey). Although some alcohols, such as the high-shelf stuff tend to have fewer calories, usually the higher the proof, the more calories it has in it. Meaning that the no-name stuff that bartenders give to the college kids and whatnot has less calories than something more expensive.
2. Gin and tonics. This drink is silent but deadly when it comes to calories. I have always considered this a 'skinny' cocktail because well, it's clear but that's where I was sadly mistaken. Although refreshing and a nice change from beer, one glass can run you upwards of 200 calories. Where do these calories come from? Surprisingly, they come from the tonic--which is packed with sugar. You can still enjoy this cocktail on a hot summer day but try to opt for diet tonic or water as a mixer to save you some calories.
3. Margaritas. A summer staple if you ask me, but a good thing to remember about cocktails is the more delicious, the more calories it contains. I have to admit, I have taken part in the deadly Beer-gar-Rita (a 24 oz. margarita with two beers sticking out of it) and let me tell you, it was delicious and probably upwards of 2,000 calories. A typical 12 oz one will probably run you about 700 calories or more. If it's tequila you want, the best way to take it is shots (in moderation), or margarita on the rocks. Blended drinks are a great way for bartenders to add in extra sugar for more taste and ultimately more calories. Another solution is to try out the Skinny Girl Margarita. I'm sure some of you have seen it in bars or at liquor stores; it's pre-made and is about half the calories of your typical margarita and still delicious!
4. LIITs or Long Island Iced Tea. These are probably the most deadly beverage on the list, both calorically and in the sense of getting you really drunk really quick. For those of you who don't know what is in a LIIT, I can honestly tell you...just about everything...except iced tea. The problem arises not necessarily because of the mixing of different liquors, but the addition of soda as well as sweet and sour mixers. You can substitute these for Diet Coke, Diet 7-Up and fresh squeezed lemon for a lighter taste and more tame caloric intake. Although it may taste different, it still masks all the alcohol you are ingesting, and in a strong drink isn't that what we look for anyways?!
5. Beer. My personal favorite alcoholic beverage. Like I stated above, one beer is nothing to think twice about, but let's be honest, who has just one beer in a night?? The problem is in the quantity, because of its comparatively low alcohol content, people tend to drink more of it over the course of a night out. A rule of thumb with beer is that darker beers and stouts tend to have higher calories than lighter beer and pale ales. (Click Here to check out this list of the 10 Highest-Calorie Beers and the 10- Lowest-Calorie Beers!)
6. Energy Drinks. Vodka Red Bull, Jagerbombs, Four Loko; just some of the things that come to mind when you mix alcohol and energy drinks. This should be a no-brainer, but when you ingest energy, there are calories in there too. Red Bull alone has about 113 calories and almost 30 grams of sugar. If you really need the energy try to swap out the full-calorie drink for the sugar-free variety or even have a cup of coffee before heading out. Fun Fact: Four Loko has about 660 calories/container.
7. Cosmos, Mai Tais, Piña Coladas, etc. These fruity and delicious drinks really are packed with sugar and empty calories that you really can't avoid if these are your drinks of choice. Ultimately, the choice is up to you, but in today's world of bigger, over sized and more, just one of these drinks can run you about 300 calories. Be conscious when ordering these and try to use them as more of a treat or reward of sorts and not so much a habitual drink.
Remember guys, these are just suggestions, I'm not trying to change the way you enjoy yourself but rather just trying to inform and help you out! I'm all about having a good time and going out for $1 Bud Lights and $4 mixed drinks, but a lot of people don't realize that there is such a thing as 'drinking your calories'.
Stay cool and keep moving!!
ENJOY!!
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