Whether we’re enjoying a couple of Monkey Suit’s most delicious cocktails or polishing off a few jagerbombs in Arena, we never really stop to think about the calorie content in some of our favourite alcoholic beverages.
We can blame the beer-goggles all we want, but there’s nothing worse than putting on a couple of pounds solely because of our drinking habits. If you’re harbouring the mid-term blues due to that regular bottle of wine’s contribution to your waistline, here at Her Campus Exeter we have both a selection of alcoholic drinks to avoid and some less calorific options just for you.
THREE calorific alcoholic beverages to avoid drinking on a regular basis:
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Wine (red OR white)
So often consumed alongside an evening meal, we never really think about how calorific wine actually is. A large glass (250ml) with a 13% ABV contains approximately 230 calories – the same as a cornetto or a bar of galaxy! Without realising it, two glasses can end up constituting 20% of our recommended calorie intake.
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Long Island Iced Tea
At approximately 720 calories, this particular cocktail really takes the biscuit (or ten). Whilst it contains the highest number of spirits in comparison to other cocktails – including vodka, gin, rum, tequila and triple sec – this also means it contains the highest number of calories. Perhaps try swapping the Coke for Diet coke to save yourself a few calories and a few teaspoons of sugar, but this is definitely one to save for special occasions.
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Jagerbombs
Usually consumed in quick succession, our Arena jagerbomb-goggles mean we are blissfully unaware of how many calories we are knocking back. Each jagerbomb contains 200 calories, which may not sound too unhealthy, but when we’re unable to resist the £1.80 deal….
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THREE low-calorie alcoholic beverages that won’t pile on the pounds:
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Vodka and Diet Lemonade/Diet Coke
A single shot of vodka contains as little as 55 calories (with a double unsurprisingly containing 110), which is definitely the least calorific option of student-friendly spirits. If you match this with a low-calorie mixer, for example Diet Lemonade or Diet Coke, you can definitely keep your calorie intake to a minimum – and, you won’t be receiving the sugar high, and subsequent low, you would otherwise be receiving from regular Coke
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Gin and Slimline Tonic.
Similar to vodka, gin only contains approximately 55-60 calories per single shot (with slimline tonic water adding only a couple of extra calories). This is perfect for a low-calorie alcoholic beverage if you’re worried about the dreaded Freshers’ Fourteen…
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Light Beer/Lager
Although the term ‘beer belly’ gives beer a permanently bad name, at approximately 160 calories a pint it’s much less calorific than most ciders. If enjoyed responsibly and not in ridiculous quantities, there’s no danger of acquiring a few extra pounds on your waistline!
Whilst we seem to obsessively count calories, we forget alcohol’s other effects on our bodies’ normal processes such as nutrient absorption and burning of energy. Unlike protein, carbohydrate and fat, our body can’t store alcohol – therefore its removal takes precedence over other normal functions, such as fat-burn. There’s no need to have a complete wine or cocktail detox, but try swapping your usual glass of sauvignon blanc for a low-calorie G&T every once in a while!
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