Thursday, April 13, 2006
You’re standing at the overcrowded bar, desperately trying to get the attention of the bartender. When you finally make eye contact, she looks at you expectantly. She asks what you want. Conscious of the impending summer months and the six pack you’re determined to have by fall, you consider ordering the ultra-light beer du jour. Better judgment cast aside, you opt for a light beer on tap. How many more calories could it be, right? And you’re not about to forsake flavor for vanity.
But what difference does your drink choice make when it comes to counting calories? The calories found in the common libations below may surprise you.
Michelob ULTRA
12 ounce serving
Calories: 95
Michelob ULTRA is the original, low-carb beer aimed at an active, weight-conscious individual. The calories aren’t so bad either. You may remember the beer was all the rage when it was first introduced in 2002. It has about 15 to 20 fewer calories than the average light beer. And if counting carbs is your thing, Michelob ULTRA contains 2.6 grams; Michelob Light has 6.7.
www.michelobultra.com
Bud Light
12 ounce serving
Calories: 110
No list of alcoholic drinks would be complete without the best-selling beer in the country and the number one light beer in the world. With 110 calories a serving, it’s a good choice for those who watch their calorie intake, but aren’t obsessive enough to order an ultra-light beer. A word to the wise: if consuming four or five beers in one sitting is a regular occurrence for you, your body will notice those 500 or so extra calories.
www.budlight.com
Free State Wheat State Golden
14 ounce serving
Calories: 181
You haven’t experienced Lawrence til you’ve sipped a beer on the front porch of Free State Brewery. The Wheat State Golden is the most popular, says Kevin Prescott, a brewer at Free State. Most of the other beers they craft have around 200 calories in a 14-ounce serving.
Guinness Draught
12 ounce serving
Calories: 125
Like to go to the dark side with your beer? Good news for you — the calories in Guinness aren’t as hefty as you might think. The Irish know how to enjoy a hearty beer without an obscene amount of calories. Barley is the specialty ingredient in Guinness that gives the beer its starch, sugar and distinctive color.
www.guinness.com
Red wine
5 ounce serving
Calories: 105 (average)
If you’re a classy dame or gent, you may enjoy a glass of red wine in place of a pint. One glass of wine is low in calories, typically 20 to 25 calories per ounce. Prefer chardonnay to cabernet? The calories are virtually the same.
Health Cheques: A Self-Monitoring System, Jane Stephenson
Vodka tonic
6 ounce serving
Calories: 168 (average)
Mixology: 2 ounces vodka, 4 ounces tonic water
Vodka, which means “dear little water” in Russian, is a spirit found in many of the most commonly ordered cocktails. The vodka tonic is a relatively low-calorie choice. Each ounce of vodka averages around 65 calories while tonic is approximately 10 calories an ounce.
The Complete Bartender, Robyn M. Feller
Margarita
4 ounce serving
Calories: 173 (average)
Mixology: 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce triple sec, 1 ounce lime juice
The margarita, a long favorite of beach bums and happy-hour revelers, is not the most diet-friendly cocktail on the menu. Watch out for the super size versions — the El Mezcal jumbo margarita is 27 ounces and will pack on extra calories.
Health Cheques: A Self-Monitoring System, Jane Stephenson
Rum & diet
6 ounce serving
Calories: 130 (average)
Mixology: two ounces rum, four ounces diet cola
In a six-ounce drink, the two ounces of rum counts for approximately 65 calories per ounce — a total of 130 calories. Go with regular cola and you add 48 calories.
The Complete Bartender, Robyn M. Feller
Long Island Iced Tea
6 ounce serving
Calories: 292 (average)
Mixology: 1 ounce tequila, 1 ounce rum, 1 ounce gin, 1 ounce vodka, 1 ounce triple sec, 1 ounce sour mix, splash of cola
A choice for those who abide by the mantra “variety is the spice of life,” the Long Island Iced Tea is a concoction with a little bit of everything. Calorie content is as plentiful as the different types of alcohol.
The Most Complete Food Counter, Annette B. Natow, Jo-ann Heslin
Jager bomb
1 serving
Calories: 213
Mixology: 1 can Red Bull energy drink, 1 ounce Jagermeister herbal liqueur
Oh, jager bomb, how we love you. One can of Red Bull will set you back 110 calories, while one ounce of Jagermeister has 103. If you like the sugar-free option, you save 100 calories, which makes it a decent choice for the weight-conscious. Random fact: Jagermeister is made from 56 different herbs, including rhubarb roots from the Himalayas and chamomile blossoms from Egypt, writes John J. Poister in his book The New American Bartender’s Guide.
The Most Complete Food Counter, Annette B. Natow, Jo-ann Heslin
- All drink recipes from www.drinksmixer.com
So if you choose to imbibe, do realize alcohol can be a pitfall for your diet. Besides being full of empty calories, says Ann Chapman, registered dietician at Watkins Health Center, alcohol also enhances the appetite.
“After your drink, you may eat a meal you wouldn’t have otherwise, “ Chapman says. “So aside from the extra calories in the alcohol itself, you add an extra meal.”
Her tips? Don’t drink on an empty stomach. And for every alcoholic drink you have, drink 10 to 12 ounces of water.
Sidebar: Drink or meal? You decide. The three highest-calorie drinks in The Most Complete Food Counter, Annette B. Natow and Jo-ann Heslin. FYI: A Big Mac contains 560 calories.
Nutcracker
1 serving, 730 calories
Mixology: 1/2 cup ice, 1 ounce vodka, 1/2 ounce Bailey's Irish cream, 1/2 ounce amaretto almond liqueur, 1/2 ounce Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, one of scoop vanilla ice cream
Mexican Grasshopper
1 serving, 638 calories
Mixology: 2 ounce green creme de menthe, 2 ounce Kahlua coffee liqueur, 2 ounce light cream
Mississippi Mud
1 serving, 496 calories
Mixology: 1 1/2 ounce Southern Comfort peach liqueur, 1 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur, 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Sidebar: We asked: Do you think about calories when you drink alcohol?
Jessica Arthur, Tulsa, Okla. senior
“I never think about calories when drinking. I don't even know how many calories are in a drink, and I drink light beer, but not because of calorie content.”
Hillary Burton, Overland Park senior
“Yes. I definitely consider calorie content when I'm drinking. Instead of choosing beer or
Red Bull and vodka (her favorite), I try to stick with diet soda and vodka or rum. Alcohol is loaded with empty calories and it also stimulates my appetite — especially for Wheel pizza.”
Alex Creek, Overland Park senior
“No, I do not think about the calories when I drink alcohol. Really, what is the point?”
Joe Bedalow, Chicago senior
“No, but I heard that a jager bomb contains the same amount of calories as a Whopper, but I don’t care either way.”
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