Are Your Favorite Alcoholic Drinks Unhealthy? Calories, Sugar, and Tips from a Personal Trainer
ABSTRACT
Are you curious if your go-to drink is adding unwanted calories? Explore the calorie and sugar content in popular alcoholic drinks like craft beers, hard cider, and Bloody Marys. Learn tips from a personal trainer on making healthier choices without compromising taste.
Keywords
Unhealthy alcoholic drinks
Calories in popular drinks
High-calorie alcoholic beverages
Craft beer calories
Sugar in hard cider
Calorie count in cocktails
Alcohol and weight gain
Healthier drink choices
Low-calorie cocktails
Personal trainer advice on alcohol
Weight Loss Cocktails / Photo: Olena Bohovyk
Introduction
Ever wonder if your favorite alcoholic drink is unhealthy? Trick question: All alcoholic drinks are unhealthy (and you probably already know this). Check out this list of popular drinks to see if you should feel guilty about your favorite choice. Mine: An Old Fashioned. We can’t be perfect all of the time!
1. CRAFT BEER
We all know the beer belly is aptly named. And while you know to stay away from the heavy Guinness’, you may not be much safer turning to those light craft beers. Why? “The trend in stronger beer means more calories,” Brissette points out. Remember: The higher the alcohol content, the higher the calorie count. “Have a pint and you'll easily take in 270 calories or more. That's like eating a chocolate bar (or several)!” she adds. Not to mention the bloat factor from all those carbs. Dogfish Head IPA clocks in at 450 calories while Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is a whopping 330 calories.Personal Trainer Wisdom: Personally, I love craft beer with a punch, like an IPA or imperial stout. This love affair comes with great consequences, though. Since I’m gluten intolerant, the calories aren’t the only concern. My inflamed gut doesn’t appreciate more than one of these indulgences at a time. As a way to intersect my needs and wants, I often limit my consumption to 1-2 beers before switching to a red wine (a less caloric, inflammatory option). For those drinkers who can withstand the digestive effects, lighter beers will always have less impact on the scale. Don’t be fooled, though. I have found that light-beer-drinkers consume quicker and more at times. They just go down too easy…..
2. HARD CIDER
Cider may seem healthy—it’s an alternative to beer and it’s gluten-free, after all. But while brewskies packs in the empty calories and unnecessary carbs, cider is rich in another black-listed nutrient. “A pint of cider can have 10 teaspoons of sugar. That's more than your daily limit for sugar in the one cider,” Brisette says.Personal Trainer Wisdom: As mentioned, a gluten-free choice of alcohol is always nice and preferred for gut-biome. We still need to be mindful of the sugar-content though. Like most choices, diabetics should especially be mindful of the amount of sugar. The dry ciders will be your best option in this category,
3. IRISH CAR BOMB
Car bomb or carb bomb? “The dark Irish stout in this drink plus the cream and liquor pack in the extra calories (and carbs!),” Holthaus says. Sixteen ounces delivers a whopping 310 calories!Personal Trainer Wisdom: Anything with the word “bomb” in the name is most likely an indulgence. Not much to say here.
4. BLOODY MARY
Your hangover may be better off without the hair of the dog. “A morning after drink like a Bloody Mary only delays the metabolism of congeners—a substance contributing to hangover symptoms—and extends the amount of time it will take for your blood alcohol content to come back to normal,” Holthaus explains. Plus, while vodka is usually a great low-cal option, once you add the tomato juice, vegetables, and spices, most Bloodys make their way up to around 300 calories.Personal Trainer Wisdom: A bloody mary is an allusion of health. While they may consist of vegetables, it most certainly is an indulgence with a lot of sodium. Always choose a short over a large pour.
5. MEXICAN BULLDOG
Beer is a tasty addition to your regular ole margarita, but the combo of both beer and tequila in this drink, plus the limeade, pack a punch—both in terms of the amount of calories and also the alcohol you’re getting, Holthaus explains. A 12-ounce drink will cost you around 230 calories.Personal Trainer Wisdom: The sugar in the limeade elevates the consumption of calories in this drink.
6. WHITE RUSSIAN
The Dude may approve, but nutritionists aren’t a fan. “The coffee liquor and the fresh cream make this small drink very mighty in terms of how many calories it brings,” Holthaus says. Just 4 ounces is 210 calories—and it’s a good bet you’re knocking back a bigger cup than that.7. OLD FASHIONED
For whiskey drinkers, the Old Fashioned is the happy hour introduction to their evening. While this classic cocktail isn’t complicated, the simple syrup in this staple (as well as cocktails like a Whiskey Sour) isn’t so simple, nutritionally speaking. “Just 1-ounce packs in over 5 teaspoons of added sugar,” Holthaus says. “And a 6-ounce Old Fashioned will cost you around 260 calories.”Personal Trainer Wisdom: The best alternative: The traditional way! Only drink an Old Fashioned with one muddled cube of sugar (2.5 g). Your great, great grandfather would be proud. Still want to limit the sugar? Sip Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon neat instead. The proof on this bottle is less than its competitors and has a bit of sweetness baked in.
How will you change the way you order drinks? Do your drink choices affect your ability to lose weight or body fat?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MICHAEL MOODY, PERSONAL TRAINER
As an author, a personal trainer in Denver, and podcast host, Michael Moody has helped personal training clients achieve new fitness heights and incredible weight loss transformations since 2005. He also produces the wellness podcast "The Elements of Being" and has been featured on NBC, WGN Radio, and PBS.
Michael offers personal training to Denver residents who want to meet at the 2460 W 26th Ave studio….or in their homes throughout LoHi (80206), LoDo (80202), RiNo (80216), Washington Park (80209), Cherry Creek (80206, 80209, 80243, 80246, 80231), and Highlands (80202, 80211, 80212). Michael also offers experiences with a personal trainer in Jefferson Park (80211) and Sloan's Lake (80204, 80212).
If you’re looking for a personal trainer who can curate a sustainable (and adaptable) routine based on your needs and wants, Michael is the experienced practitioner you’ve been looking for. Try personal training for a month…your body will thank you!
