



Even if you're careful about your alcohol consumption, all drinks are not created equal on the dieting scale and some choices are better than others. Here's a short guide to the calorie contents of different types of alcohol. Use it as a quick resource to find low-calorie alcohol choices while sticking to your dietary goals.



A key to any successful lifestyle change is moderation. While you may be sticking to a healthier eating plan on most days, certain occasions call for a bit of relaxation, sometimes in the form of an alcoholic drink. While alcohol is fat-free and low in carbs, it's the calories that count when it comes to weight management. In general, alcohol and dieting don’t mix well—your body processes alcohol first, leaving carbohydrates and fats to get stored as fat instead of getting used as fuel.Even if you're careful about your alcohol consumption, all drinks are not created equal on the dieting scale and some choices are better than others. Here's a short guide to the calorie contents of different types of alcohol. Use it as a quick resource to find low-calorie alcohol choices while sticking to your dietary goals. Wine: The Most Diet-Friendly Choice

If you’re going to drink, wine is the most calorie-friendly selection with a typical 20 calories per ounce. Each five-ounce glass would then be 100 calories with no cholesterol, sodium or fat. This is true for both red and white wine, from merlot to chardonnay. Sherry, a sweet, fortified wine, runs a bit higher with 32 calories per ounce, but is usually served in smaller portions as an after-dinner drink.



Here is the nutritional information for some popular wines: If you’re going to drink, wine is the most calorie-friendly selection with a typical 20 calories per ounce. Each five-ounce glass would then be 100 calories with no cholesterol, sodium or fat. This is true for both red and white wine, from merlot to chardonnay. Sherry, a sweet, fortified wine, runs a bit higher with 32 calories per ounce, but is usually served in smaller portions as an after-dinner drink.Here is the nutritional information for some popular wines: Wine

Calories Per Ounce

Carbs Per 5-oz Serving Chardonnay 20 0.4 g 100 calories,

2 g carbs Pinot Grigio 20 0.4 g 100 calories,

2 g carbs Zinfandel® White Wine 20 0.4 g 100 calories,

2 g carbs Cabernet Sauvignon 20 0.8 g 100 calories,

4 g carbs Merlot Red Wine 20 0.8 g 100 calories,

4 g carbs

Hard Liquor: Easy on Your Diet

Hard liquor is higher in calories per ounce than wine and is often mixed with soda, which increases the calorie count. If you’re going to drink liquor, use calorie-free mixers like diet soda or diet tonic water. One shot glass or mixed drink will contain about 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.



Here is the nutritional information for some favorites: Hard liquor is higher in calories per ounce than wine and is often mixed with soda, which increases the calorie count. If you’re going to drink liquor, use calorie-free mixers like diet soda or diet tonic water. One shot glass or mixed drink will contain about 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.Here is the nutritional information for some favorites: Hard Liquor Calories Per Ounce Carbs Per 1.5-oz Serving Vermouth 32 0.2 g 64 calories, 0.4 g carbs Coconut Rum 51 5.3 g 77 calories, 8 g carbs Beefeater® Gin 65 0 g 98 calories, 0 g carbs Rye Whiskey 69 0 g 104 calories, 0 g carbs Scotch Whiskey 69 0 g 104 calories, 0 g carbs White Rum 69 0 g 104 calories, 0 g carbs Vodka 69 0 g 104 calories, 0 g carbs Cognac 69 2 g 104 calories, 3 g carbs Tequila 69 5.3 g 104 calories, 8 g carbs Gilbey’s® Gin 79 0 g 119 calories, 0 g carbs

Once you start mixing liquor with juice and other sweeteners to create cocktails, both calories and carbs can go up significantly.



Here is the nutritional information for some favorites: Once you start mixing liquor with juice and other sweeteners to create cocktails, both calories and carbs can go up significantly.Here is the nutritional information for some favorites: Cocktail Calories Per Ounce Carbs Per Ounce Per Typical Serving Martini 61 .1 135 calories/

2.2 oz Cosmopolitan 53 3.3 213 calories/

4 oz Mojito 40 4 240 calories/

6 oz Margarita 46 2.1 153 calories/

3.3 oz Manhattan 39 1.1 130 calories/

3.3 oz Whiskey Sour 46 3.9 162 calories/

3.5 oz Daiquiri 56 2.1 224 calories/

4 oz Piña Colada 55 7.1 245 calories/

4.5 oz

Beer: Raise Your Glass with Care

Beer is the next best choice for dieters, with about 150 calories per 12-ounce serving. Choosing light beers will drop your caloric intake without sacrificing much flavor, but keep in mind that it can be hard to estimate your intake when pouring from a pitcher or into an oversized beer mug.



Here is the nutritional information for different types of beer: Beer is the next best choice for dieters, with about 150 calories per 12-ounce serving. Choosing light beers will drop your caloric intake without sacrificing much flavor, but keep in mind that it can be hard to estimate your intake when pouring from a pitcher or into an oversized beer mug.Here is the nutritional information for different types of beer: Beer Calories Per Ounce Carbs Per 12-oz Serving "Light" Beer 9 0.5 g 108 calories, 6 g carbs Draft Beer 12 1.1 g 144 calories, 13.2 g carbs Lager 14 1.1 g 168 calories, 13.2 g carbs Ale 18 1.1 g 216 calories, 13.2 g carbs

Liqueur: Small but Potent

The words "cordial" and "liqueur" are sometimes used interchangeably, as both drinks are flavored, very sweet and often served as (or with) dessert. Liqueurs can be served alone, over ice, with coffee or mixed with cream or other mixers. Adding mixers will increase the calorie and fat content of your drink. Whether served alone or in a cocktail, one liqueur serving is about 1.5 ounces. While tasty, liqueurs pack the most calories per ounce, so enjoy them sparingly.



Here is the nutritional information for common liqueurs: The words "cordial" and "liqueur" are sometimes used interchangeably, as both drinks are flavored, very sweet and often served as (or with) dessert. Liqueurs can be served alone, over ice, with coffee or mixed with cream or other mixers. Adding mixers will increase the calorie and fat content of your drink. Whether served alone or in a cocktail, one liqueur serving is about 1.5 ounces. While tasty, liqueurs pack the most calories per ounce, so enjoy them sparingly.Here is the nutritional information for common liqueurs: Liqueur

Calories Per Ounce Carbs Per 1.5-oz Serving Chocolate Liqueur 103 11 g 155 calories,

17 g carbs Mint Liqueur 103 11 g 155 calories,

17 g carbs Peppermint Liqueur 103 11 g 155 calories,

17 g carbs Strawberry Liqueur 103 11 g 155 calories,

17 g carbs

If you budget your calories carefully, you can safely afford to have a drink or two on a special occasion. But beware: Drinking loosens your inhibitions and may make you eat without thinking. From a health standpoint, calories aren't the only thing to consider. Practice moderation (no more than one drink daily for women and no more than two drinks daily for men) and consider other potential health benefits of different types of alcohol.



Most health experts recommend the following hierarchy when choosing alcohol based on potential health benefits (such as antioxidant content): Choose red wine over white wine; choose wine over beer; choose darker-colored beers over lighter-colored beers; and choose beer over liquor and liqueur. If you budget your calories carefully, you can safely afford to have a drink or two on a special occasion. But beware: Drinking loosens your inhibitions and may make you eat without thinking. From a health standpoint, calories aren't the only thing to consider. Practice moderation (no more than one drink daily for women and no more than two drinks daily for men) and consider other potential health benefits of different types of alcohol.Most health experts recommend the following hierarchy when choosing alcohol based on potential health benefits (such as antioxidant content): Choose red wine over white wine; choose wine over beer; choose darker-colored beers over lighter-colored beers; and choose beer over liquor and liqueur.