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There is absolutely no way around it: Drinks that are icy contain a lot of empty calories, which don’t fill you up like calories from healthy food do. There are a lot of advantages to cutting back on alcohol if you’re looking to improve your health or even lose a few pounds. All things considered, while drinking moderately is important, there are a few simple trades you can make when you do decide to drink to avoid the excessive calories and added sugar that are frequently found in mixed drinks.
Low Calories
The average number of calories in a blended beverage ranges from 60 for a fix of vodka to 500 for a super-sweet mix. The total number of calories depends on how much is added, but a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor typically has between 60 and 100 calories. The blenders could, in fact, significantly increase the calorie count at any time. Pre-made margarita and daiquiri mixes can have 160 calories in a single 2-ounce serving, but these drinks are usually served in 12- or 16-ounce glasses, so you’re probably getting 320 calories for each one—and that doesn’t even include the alcohol! Additionally, these drink additions can contain up to 70 grams of sugar per serving, which is more than twice the American Heart Association’s daily recommendation for grams of added sugar.
If you want to cut back on calories after your next bar visit, a good rule of thumb is to make it easier on yourself: Avoid additional juices, sweet blenders, and syrups and stick to clear fluids. Dietitians enrolled in the Great Housekeeping Establishment Sustenance Lab discuss the best low-calorie beverages and how to make low-sugar mixed drinks at home in this article.
