Calories in Popular Alcoholic Drinks & Alcohol Calories Chart

It's surprising how many people are unaware of the high calorie content of popular alcoholic drinks. For instance how many people know that a cream liquor shot can contain 160 calories, the same amount of calories as a serving (3,5 oz / 100grams) of scrambled eggs. Or that a pint of lager (16 oz / 500 ml) has around 180 calories, the same amount of calories in a large slice of chocolate cake! (See calories in popular foods.)

What usually adds insult to injury is that heavy drinking sessions weakens our resolve (to put it mildly) and more often than not they are followed by equally unhealthy food binges; usually the saltier and fattier the better. And let's not even talk about breakfast the next morning. Come on admit it, I will, I'm just as guilty.

Even more bad news... alcohol is classed as 'empty' calories. It has zero nutritional value, and with 7 calories per gram, alcohol only comes 2nd to pure fat (9 calories/gram). Alcohol also slows down one's metabolism (which means you burn less fat) and inhibits one's liver from metabolizing fat. Aaargh, shoot me now.

For desperately needed help visit our great ideas and recipes for low calorie alcoholic drinks, and tips on how to naturally increase your metabolism.

Alcohol calorie chart showing calories in popular alcoholic drinks

Important: This alcohol calorie chart is to be used as a guide only. Alcohol Calorie contents can differ between various brands of wines, beers and spirits. Even 'Pint' sizes vary from continent to continent.

Alcohol Type	Calorie Content
Pint of beer	180
Glass of red wine	120
Glass of white wine	116
Glass of Champagne	95
Pint of cider	200
1 shot of Vodka	50
1 tot of Rum	50
1 tot of Whiskey	50
Cream Liqueur	160
Southern Comfort	80
Tia Maria	66
Jack Daniels	60
Mixer (soda)	50
Mixer (juice)	50

A night out for many guys (even if you don't recall) can consist of a couple of beers and some shots, and for the ladies perhaps the same, a few glasses of wine or some liqueur and mixers.

So just to put things into perspective:

• 4 pints of beer = 4 x 180 = 720 Calories
• 2 shots of creamy liqueurs = 2 x 160 = 320 Calories

That's 1040 Calories without even bending the elbow that much, the equivalent of a large meal!

If you want to cut down on alcohol calorie intake see our ideas for low calorie alcoholic drinks (that's the simple option) or make some lifestyle changes (the not so simple option) ...

How to reduce your calorie intake from alcohol consumption

• Make your first drink a light soda or any non alcoholic drink. Just do it! Usually the first drink goes down way too fast, and any desire that you had for moderation usually dissolves with that first alcoholic drink. Trust me on this one.
• If you have to attend functions or parties during the week then stick to non or low alcoholic beverages.
• Now write this on your forehead so that the bartender can read it 'After every alcoholic drink please give me a water or light soda drink'.
• Don't drink to get trashed. If you do then there's probably something wrong with your social environment. Yes, of course alcohol finely tunes your social skills, but remember there's a fine line between 'Don Juan' and 'annoying drunk'.
• If you enjoy mixers then order them with plenty of ice and diet/low calorie sodas.
• Visit our ideas and recipes for low calorie alcoholic beverages

Top Foods for Dieting

You don't have to be on a weight loss plan to lose weight.  If you want to burn more fat but don't want restrictions, calorie counting, or high priced but low flavor packaged food, try incorporating these seven powerful foods into your diet. 

These foods will help you in a variety of ways.  Some will help increase your metabolism.  Most will help make you feel more full.  Others can actually help burn fat.  The best way to add these foods to your diet is to use them to replace the junk food that you eat.  Then you'll get a double weight loss bonus by cutting empty calories, sugars, and bad fats and by adding these diet foods.

Fibrous and Vegetable Based

All of these foods are plant-based.  A diet high in fiber is one of the secrets to effective weight loss.  Fiber is great for a number of reasons.  It helps lower LDL, the bad cholesterol.  It makes you feel full and eat less.  High fiber foods take longer to digest.  Your resting metabolism increases due to the work your body does digesting these foods.

This list is in no particular order.  There is no miracle food so number one won't help you lose more weight than any of the other numbers.  Instead, try to add or increase the amount of all of these foods in your diet.  If you don't like one, then focus on the other six.

1.  Apples 

The pectin in apples makes you feel more full.  This is a great way to eat less.  In addition, the pectin actually limits your cells fat absorption.  Try an apple in the morning during breakfast or try it as a midday snack.

2.  Avocadoes

Avocadoes are proof that a food does not have to be low in fat to help you lose weight.  Instead, it needs to have the right kind of fat.  Avocadoes contain more than  25 of the essential nutrients.  When you eat an avocado you're getting B vitamins, potassium, vitamin E, and lutein.

3.  Grapefruits

Of all the citrus foods, grapefruit ranks the best as a diet food.  It can lower your insulin levels which in turn will make you less hungry.  If you don't like grapefruit, add a different citrus fruit.  Both grapefruits and oranges can increase your metabolism.  The vitamin C actually dilutes fat.

4.  Hot peppers

Spicy foods such as jalapeños are one of the best diet foods.  They give a quick boost to the metabolism.  They also prove that healthy food is not necessarily bland.

 

5.  Broccoli

Broccoli is a powerful anticancer food.  Its high in calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.  It's filling without being high in calories.

6.  Blueberries

Blueberries are full of powerful antioxidants.  They fight against disease, give you energy, and their sweet taste makes a great snack.

7.  Almonds

Of all the nuts, almonds are the most nutritional.  Have a handful of almonds in the morning during breakfast to give you energy for the rest of the day.  They are also great to replace any unhealthy snack foods which are standing in the way of your weight loss goals.

Adding these top seven foods to your diet will help you lose weight while being healthy.  The weight will not come off overnight, but you will gradually shed pounds and keep them off. 

Diabetic Biscotti recipe – 111 calories

Here’s a wonderful biscotti recipe that can be enjoyed by everyone. It’s easy to make and has a great taste from the spices. You can use toasted almonds or walnuts if no hazelnuts are available.

Diabetic Biscotti recipe – 111 calories
Ingredients:
1/4 cup finely chopped hazelnuts
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup sugar substitute (granular low-calorie sweetener)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup butter
2 eggs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Preparation:

1. Roast the hazelnuts in a shallow pan in a 350° F oven for about 10 minutes. Rub the warm nuts vigorously in a tea towel to remove the bitter skins.

1. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sweetener, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs, almond and vanilla extracts.
5. Stir in the flour mixture and hazelnuts.
6. Divide the dough in half. Shape into 2 logs, 2 inches wide and 12 inches long.

7. Spray a baking sheet with some nonstick coating. Bake the bars at 325 degrees F until golden brown (about 25 minutes).

8. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes.
9. Cut the bars diagonally into 21 slices about 1/2 inch thick.

10. Lay the slices on a baking sheet, return to the 300 degrees F oven and bake for about 10 more minutes. Remove to a wire rack and let cool completely before storing in airtight container.

Servings: 21
Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 111
Total fat: 4.4 g
Cholesterol: 20.1 mg
Sodium: 99.4 mg
Total carbs: 15.5 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Protein: 2.1 g
Weight Watchers points: 2