The Best and Worst Alcohol to Drink if You Want to Slim Down

Summer often means hanging by the pool and sipping a cold one. But this can be tricky if you’re trying to lose weight. YourTango is here with the best and worst alcohol to drink if you want to keep pounds off.

We live for our happy hour dates but by doing so, are we derailing our diet? When it comes to watching calories and weight control, alcohol can actually be a major foe, no matter how badly we need that cocktail.

Alcoholic beverages can be very high in calories and easily lead to weight gain. It’s perfectly fine to have a cocktail or two, but if you aren’t careful, it can easily add hundreds of calories to your daily intake.

Here are a few of the best (and worst) drinks to ensure you keep your alcohol calories in check:

The Best

Dry wine, not sweet

Sweet wine typically has an additional 100-150 calories per glass, says Ficek. If you do drink wine, consider mixing it with club soda and making it a spritzer to cut down on the calories. Consider going red, too, as it has heart health benefits.

Club soda (as a mixer)

Club soda pairs well with vodka or gin and is calorie free. Plus, you will be helping to rehydrate yourself to prevent a hangover. Lemons and limes can help flavor this mixer, plus it will add a nutritional boost of vitamin C. Say no to adding juice, sports drinks, energy drinks or soda to any alcoholic beverage, says Ficek.

The Worst

Pina Coladas

“This summer-time favorite includes rum, crème of coconut, and pineapple juice, all of which add a combination of calories, fat, and sugar. A 6 oz. pina colada can have well-over 300 calories plus a nice dose of added sugars,” says Miller. Instead try unsweetened coconut water (in place of cream) with rum and a splash of pineapple juice.

Long Island Iced Tea

With a combination of rum, vodka, gin, tequila, and triple sec, this cocktail can have up to 700 calories per 8 oz. serving, says Miller. Instead try unsweetened tea with vodka and a splash of lemon or lime juice.


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