Alcohol and Calories

Cocktails are not kind to the waistline. Some mixed drinks have more calories than a fast-food burger. Sip beer or wine instead.


Even when you steer clear of the hors d’oeuvre table, holiday parties really have a way of messing with your diet. That’s because alcohol comes in just behind fat in its number of calories per gram. Whereas one gram of carbohydrates contains four calories, one gram of alcohol has seven. Just one serving of 80-proof liquor has nearly 100 calories — and that’s without the addition of mixers, the real diet wreckers.

Margaritas, piña coladas, Long Island iced teas can all contain between 500 and 1,000 calories, depending on how big the pour. If you’re watching your calories, opt for beer, wine or cocktails with a splash of juice or soda water. Even if you’re not on a diet, drinking in moderation is always a smart and healthy idea.