Losing weight means biding adieu to a lot of your favorites, alcohol included! But steering away from social gatherings is not always possible. You might have to indulge in a glass of your favorite alcoholic beverage during friendly outings and social get-togethers. But did you know that even one glass of alcohol can derail your weight loss progress? Thankfully, not all alcoholic drinks are created equal when it comes to their impact on your waistline.
In this blog post, we’ll explore five alcoholic beverages that keep happy hour happy without sabotaging your weight loss plan.
Best Alcoholic Drinks for Weight Loss
1. Vodka Soda
This goes straight onto No. 1 on our list. Sipping on a strong liquor-based drink like vodka can be great for weight loss because the more substantial the liquor, the less likely you are to gulp it down. That means one drink goes a long way, lowering calorie intake.
A zero-calorie seltzer or sparkling water mixed with a 1.5-ounce vodka shot will give approximately 97 calories, and if you want to reduce the numbers, you can squeeze in a lime or lemon. The fun thing is that you can play around with ingredients at home to make your drink, like adding fruit slices, low-calorie sodas, and even opting for lower-calorie vodkas.
2. Champagne
This drink is not just for celebrations but also for weight loss. A glass of champagne contains fewer calories than white or red wine, approximately 80 calories per serving. The drier the champagne, the less sugar it contains. So next time you go out, instead of drinking mimosas, have a flute of champagne to make your weight loss journey special.
Champagne is relatively low in alcohol content compared to other alcoholic beverages, which may make it a better choice for those watching their calorie intake. However, alcohol itself contributes empty calories, and excessive consumption can hinder weight loss efforts. If your goal is weight loss, it’s essential to be mindful of overall calorie intake, regardless of the type of alcohol you choose.
3. Rose
A glass of rosé is one of the great low-calorie alcoholic drink options for weight loss. But remember that the higher the alcohol percentage in a bottle, the higher the calories, so look for a lower alcohol volume to keep the calories in check. A 5 oz. Glass of rosé wine contains around 82 calories, which makes it one of the lowest-calorie alcoholic drink options available.
There are other benefits of rosé wine as it contains beneficial compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The polyphenols in rosé may help lower bad (LDL) cholesterol, and the potassium in rosé can help lower blood pressure. All these can only happen in moderation because excessive drinking can reverse every benefit.
4. Gin and Tonic
Gin and tonic is one of the classic cocktails millennials and post-millennials have recently embraced. A diet gin and tonic can be a wise choice if you’re watching your calorie intake. A traditional shot of gin contains approximately 97 calories. This amounts to about 42 grams or roughly 1 1/2 ounces of gin. Regular tonic water typically contains either sugar or high fructose corn syrup. On average, there are approximately 35 calories in 100 milliliters (about half a cup) of tonic water. However, diet tonic water, which uses artificial sweeteners like aspartame, has zero calories. When you mix gin with diet tonic water, you’ll still get only 97 calories in your gin and tonic.
If you prefer an even lighter option, consider using soda water (club soda) instead of tonic water. Soda water has very few or no calories, so your gin and soda water combo will also clock in at 97 calories.
5. Light Beer
If you are aiming for weight loss, choosing light beer can be a better option. Light beer typically contains fewer calories than regular beer, making it a more waistline-friendly choice. A 12 oz serving of light beer contains approximately 40 to 55 fewer calories compared to a regular beer. So, if you are watching your calorie intake, opting for light beer can help you save some calories.
Light beer also has about half the carbohydrates of regular beer. Lower-carb diets are usually associated with weight loss, which can be beneficial. However, keep in mind that alcohol itself can impact metabolism and make weight loss more challenging.
Alcohol provides empty calories and doesn’t offer any essential nutrients for your body. Additionally, alcohol drinking can lead to poor food choices, specifically when people lose track of their health and weight goals after drinking. That’s why, moderation is essential. Whether you are on a weight loss spree or planning to lose weight, it is important to ensure balance in your lifestyle choices, including your alcohol consumption. Consult a board-certified obesity medicine physician like Dr. Mona Lala for personalized guidance and support tailored to your individual needs and goals.
As a leading weight loss consultant in Chicago, she can provide expert advice on how to incorporate alcohol into your weight loss journey in a responsible and healthy manner. She can provide you with valuable insights and strategies to achieve long-term weight loss success while still occasionally enjoying your favorite drink. Book a consultation at Kinetix for personalized guidance and support and make way for a healthy, happy life.
