4 Low-Calorie Alcoholic Drinks for Weight Loss

Drinking alcohol and losing weight usually aren’t a great combination. Boozy drinks are high in calories, but have little to no nutritional value.

Research also suggests people who drink more are less likely to stick to healthy eating habits, which can lead to weight gain.

Does that mean you can’t enjoy a toast if you’re looking to lose weight? Not necessarily. Instead, opt for one of these low-calorie alcoholic drinks and drink only in moderation.

4 Low-Calorie Alcoholic Drinks for Weight Loss

Here are some options if you feel like indulging, but you’re keeping an eye on the calories.

1. Red Wine

Red wine contains resveratrol, a potentially heart-healthy antioxidant. While more research is needed to confirm if red wine has any health benefits, a dry red wine (like cabernet sauvignon) is one of the lower-calorie alcoholic beverages you can reach for, says Lori Zanini, CDCES, RD, a certified diabetes educator based in Dana Point, California.

A glass with 5 ounces (oz) of red wine has about 125 calories.

2. Light Beer

If you’re in the mood for beer, go light. It’s another low-calorie option, Zanini says. Many light beers have about 100 calories per 12 oz, so you’ll save about 50 calories per serving compared with a regular beer of the same size.

3. Liquor on the Rocks

Whether you’re into vodka or tequila, gin or whiskey, there’s no real difference in calories or carbohydrates. Liquor is typically low in calories, with about 100 calories in 1.5 oz.

Your best bet is to have it straight or with sparkling water or club soda, Zanini suggests. That’s because a whiskey drink, for example, can quickly go from 100 calories to 200 or more when you add sugary, high-calorie mixers.

4. Champagne

You’ll save calories by choosing champagne over certain wines. For example, a 4 oz pour of bubbly has about 85 calories, while only 3.5 oz of sweet wine has about 165.

In addition to the per drink calorie savings, you may feel fuller and turn down a second drink as a result of the carbonation, which may help keep food in your stomach longer than nonbubbly beverages, too.

Alcohol Type
Calories
Serving Size
Alcohol Type
Calories
Serving Size
Red wine
125
5 oz
Light beer
100
12 oz
Liquor on the rocks
100
1.5 oz
Champagne
85
4 oz

Alcohol-Free Options for Anyone Looking to Lose Weight

Keep in mind: Mocktails are always on the menu. Going alcohol-free is the ultimate way to cut back on calories from drinking. But you’ll still need to keep an eye on what’s going into the mocktails and choose a low-calorie — or better yet, no-calorie — water or sparkling water drink.

Mocktails can also offer a helpful break between alcoholic beverages throughout the night to keep your calorie intake in check.

The Takeaway

  • One of the best ways to support weight loss while maintaining your health is to skip alcoholic drinks altogether.
  • Drinking alcohol can lead to poor food choices, making weight loss efforts more difficult.
  • If you do imbibe, choose low-calorie alcoholic drinks and skip sugary mixers to minimize the extra calories you consume.
  • Nonalcoholic options like mocktails can be creative and satisfying alternatives to beer, wine, or liquor, but keep an eye on sugary ingredients.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

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