Want to lose weight? Here are the best and worst booze to drink
Alcohol can either give you a beer belly or help you uncover your abs. After all, while some studies have shown that people who put back one or two drinks a day are less likely to gain weight.
So, if you’re trying to lose weight while still enjoying the occasional drink, you’d better be wise about which drinks you choose. Here are the best and worst booze you can order.
The best
1. Wine – Red or white, you can expect to consume roughly 100 to 120 calories per glass. However, there are some considerations to make when picking grapes: White wine typically contains fewer carbohydrates than does red wine, which makes a small difference in terms of calories.
Meanwhile, red wine is richer in antioxidants, and a 2014 study found out that red wine’s ellargic acids delay the growth of fat cells while slowing the development of new ones.
2. Vermouth – A fortified wine with higher alcohol content and infused spices and herbs, vermouth is a calorie saver if you have it by itself. Still, remember that if you mix it into a Manhattan or martini, you’re probably going to be consuming far more calories and sugar.
3. Straight liquors – When it comes to getting the most alcohol for the fewest calories, shots and straight booze on the rocks are the way to go. And as calories increase along with alcohol content, the difference isn’t huge. For instance, a shot of 86-proof whiskey contains 105 calories and a shot of 80-proof vodka contains 97.
However, you also need to keep in mind that the sweeter the liquor, the more calories it typically contains. If you are looking for a flavor boost, try low-calorie mixers like a flavored seltzer or fresh squeezed lemon or lime. This will provide the taste without the calories.
4. Light beers – Light beers are becoming more popular in the Kenyan market because they contain fewer calories and carbs, hence the best brews for weight loss.
However, just don’t use that as an excuse to have more beers than you typically would, or you’ll undo all benefits. Light beers actually tend to have a higher percentage of their calories coming from alcohol compared to standard beer.
The worst
Sugar-packed cocktails – Margaritas and Long Island Iced Teas can set you back more calories than a large order of KFC chips.
Even worse, calories from sugar-laden drinks come as a sneak attack. When you drink a margarita, your body is so overwhelmed with the alcohol content that your body doesn’t properly metabolize the sugar. Instead, it stores the sweet stuff as fat.
There is never a good excuse to drink these and other sugar-filled cocktails especially if you are trying to lose weight or not develop diabetes.