What is the best way to order an alcoholic drink if you're trying to lose weight?
Now that you know the calories in each alcohol, it's time for you to think about how you're going to order your drink, exactly. Here are a few tips for your next tab, according to experts:
Keep your drinks simple.
"Once you start using more than one type of booze, your calories start to get up there," says Keri Gans, RD, author of The Small Change Diet. For example, if you can take your gin neat with a squeeze of fresh lime, your weight-loss goals will be better off than if you went for the standard, sugar-loaded G&T.
Meet your new BFF
whiskey. Your best bet for ordering the lowest-calorie alcohol is starting with whiskey or scotch and adding water to help open up the vivid flavors, or a no-calorie mixer like club soda, says Gorin.
Make an ingredient switch.
You can always make a few simple swaps to help lower the number of calories in your original drink of choice. For instance, "Ask for a margarita with less agave, [or] a mojito with less sugar," says Gorin. "Ask if the bar is serving 100 percent juice or a juice cocktail, [the latter of] which is a keyword for added sugar and calories." Easy.
Add all the fruits for flavor.
If you want to give your alcohol an oomph, try adding all the fruits to your BEVs, says Meshulam. "Get flavor from muddled fruit and herbs instead of juices, soda, or sugar," says Meshulam, noting that adding splashes of lemon, lime, and soda water can elevate your fruit-filled drink.
The Best Low-Calorie Alcoholic Drinks For Weight Loss
Need a quick tip sheet for ordering a drink without maxing your weight-loss goals? According to our pros, here are the *best* drink orders that include each of the most popular spirits and more.
Vodka soda.
Zero-calorie seltzer might be basic, but it also helps you stay within your calorie deficit and on track toward your weight-loss goals. Add a squeeze of fresh fruit for a little more party.
Rum and diet cola.
Rather than your go-to rum and regular cola, make it a diet to reduce calories and sugar quickly.
Rum and unsweetened black tea.
Here's an alternative for people who don't want to drink any cola—make it a rum and unsweetened black tea, Gorin recommends. One cup of unsweetened black tea will only add about two calories to your bev.
Manhattan.
Don Draper was on to something. If you don't want to drink your whiskey straight, order a classic Manhattan (whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters), which keeps calories, carbs, and sugars low.
Gin martini.
Channeling your inner Bond will serve you well if you're looking to lose weight. A gin martini with two olives is under 200 calories and contains virtually no sugar or carbs.
Paloma
The tangy pink drink, made with grapefruit and lime juice, is like a margarita without the extra calories. Opt for the fresh-squeezed stuff if you can rather than liquid.
Champagne, seltzer, and fruit.
A 4-ounce glass of bubbly isn't much—but you can fill up the rest of your flute with seltzer and fresh fruit or mint leaves for a drink that's yummy and low-cal.
Light beer.
Opt for a light beer instead of the regular thing. Gorin says it's an excellent way to still enjoy beer without the same density as the usual Bev.
Red wine.
Nutritionally, there's not much difference between red wine and white wine, but there are other benefits in choosing a pinot noir over a chardonnay. Gorin says red wine might have some nutritional pros, like a possible boost to cardiovascular health.
Baileys and coffee.
Gorin says adding a 1.5-ounce shot of Bailey's to a cup of decaf-only since coffee is both tasty and almost a no-cal.
Tequila and lime splash.
Vodka or tequila with a splash of lime, lemon, or grapefruit juice and soda is an excellent option for a little bit of kick and juice taste.
Vodka and mint, cucumber, and a lime wedge.
Here's a refreshing drink for you—take muddled mint and cucumber, fresh lime juice, and mix with vodka for a super-refreshing order.
Margarita mixup.
You can ask for specialty cocktails without the sugar, Meshulam says. For example, you can get a reduced-sugar margarita by asking for no agave.
Margarita on the rocks.
"Take a pass on fancy frozen drinks like daiquiris and order your margarita on the rocks," says Gans.
Liquor with a wedge
"Take tequila, vodka, or gin with club soda or seltzer," says Gans. Then, add a single fruit wedge-like grapefruit, lemon, or lime on the side.
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