The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Drink Choices

We love a nice adult beverage as much as the next person...maybe more than the next person. However, these popular drinks could be making you retain the weight you are trying to work off daily in the gym. We have compiled a list of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly as far as calories are concerned. Complete with suggestions of how to lower the caloric intake of some:

The Good:

A Glass of Wine: 125-150 calories.

Of course it depends on how much you pour. Red wine generally has about 10% less calories than white wine. Drier wines (less sweet) are the lowest in calories.

A Glass of Sangria:

150 calories. Assuming that sugar is not added simply real fruit juice. Once again the red sangria is the better option. Most wine spritzers are a great option.

Vodka/Gin and Tonic: 200 calories.

You can GREATLY cut down on the calories of this drink by using soda instead bringing this drink to 100 calories. My great friend Malory even uses the packets of Crystal Light (o calories) to make a low calorie vodka and lemonade.

The Bad:

Orange Juice and Vodka (Screw Driver): 200 calories.

You can make this drink less calories by requesting a vodka with soda water with a splash of orange juice and garnished with a orange slice.

Cranberry and Vodka: 280 calories.

Most of the calories can be accounted for in the fact that most cranberry juices are not real and contain a whole lot of sugar. You can cut down on calories by ordering a vodka and soda with a splash of cranberry.

Beer: 150-245 calories.

It's like literally eating slices of bread...maybe the 64 calorie beers are the best option.

The Ugly:

Mojito: 225 calories

...or A LOT more. It's hard to say because some bartenders use tons of sugar and sugar makes you chunky.

Mai Tai: 350 calories.

All those sugary fake juices are sure to make your waist fat.

Pina Colada: 644 calories.

That is about as many calories as a whopper with cheese.

Long Island Ice Tea: 780 calories

...you might as well eat a few slices of cheesecake.

Margarita: 740 calories

...kiss that drink adios. Opt for Bethany Frankel's skinny girl margarita which has 185 calories. The skinny girl margarita consist of 2 oz vodka, .5oz of orange juice, and lime juice.

Other options for cutting down on calories when drinking are using infused vodkas, drinking just about any liquor straight or with soda water, opting for diet coke or diet sprite when used for mixing. Lemon and lime juice is about 10 calories per 1/2 an oz. Also remember the higher the proof of liquor the higher the calories.

Cheers!