It’s Hard to Enjoy an Adult Beverage While Watching Calories, but this List of Best and Worst Beverages to Drink While Dieting Should Help
One of my favorite things about summer is being able to relax on my deck and enjoy a nice adult beverage. But, as I continue to try to shed a few of my past-winter pounds, I am also trying to be somewhat aware of the calories. After all, if I am going to continue to train for the Insane Inflatable 5K, I would hate to have hours of hard work at the gym be negated by my love of a Bud Lite Lime.
So faced with the knowledge that I probably won't be able to lose weight drinking a beer, and knowing that alcohol from some of my favorite summertime drinks will probably add calories, I found a list of 8 of the Best and Worst Beverages to Drink While Dieting.
I know, having an adult beverage isn't going to help me lose weight. I know this! But, if I make smart choices and stick to just one (or maybe TWO) of these adult beverages, maybe it would be okay to squeeze the occasional drink into my diet plan.
BEST: Mimosa
With a four ounce glass, a Mimosa can tally only about 80 calories! It's also nice knowing that the orange juice will give anyone a little extra Vitamin C.
iStockiStock BEST: Vodka Martini
For just 120 beautiful calories, mix about 1.5 ounces of vodka and 1/3 ounce of vermouth for a Vodka Martini. If you want to splurge with your calories, for an additional five more, add a splash of olive juice.
iStockiStock BEST: Wine
You have probably heard this one before, but depending on whether you choose red or white, a five ounce glass of wine can total only between 100 to 120 calories.
iStockiStock BEST: Gin and Tonic
Mix this 100 calorie shot with a low-calorie mixer and add a twist of lime for a this classic drink that has just 135 calories.
ClipArtClipArt WORST: Long Island Iced Tea
This drink (which consists of vodka, gin, rum and tequila with sweet and sour and a dash of Coke) screams lots of calories! Stay away! (Maybe try a rum and Diet Coke instead?)
iStockiStock WORST: Margarita
This makes me sad. I love a good margarita! Unfortunately, those good margaritas don't love me. But at 450 calories for a small eight ounce glass, this one could quickly derail anybody's diet. I guess I could try one of those skinny versions.
iStockiStock WORST: White Russian
Even though it sounds like he might be a friendly guy, the White Russian is far from friendly for those of us counting calories. Mixed with heavy cream, vodka and Kahlua, this drink packs on the calories with a whopping 500 for a five ounce drink. If this is still your drink of choice, consider swapping a shot of Kahlua in a cup of coffee with a splash of skim milk for 100 calories.
iStockiStock WORST: Fruity Island Drinks
Even though you can't be enjoying some time on an island somewhere, those fruity island drinks can sure taste good sitting in the sun on a warm, summer day. However the calories of the strawberry daiquiris, pina coladas and all the other fruity, slushy drinks can add up quickly. Even though they contain fruit (which is considered healthy!) these island treats are usually served in glasses bigger than five ounces, making them closer to around 800 calories each!
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