Non-Alcoholic Is Lower in Calories

Spring brings many opportunities to indulge in alcoholic beverages. Cold beer at a baseball game, champagne at a wedding, or a bottle of wine at a picnic. Most experts agree that alcohol is fine in moderation. But alcoholic beverages add calories to your meal and may replace more nutritious drinks. If you are watching your weight, switch to lower calorie, nonalcoholic beverages.Nutrient ContentAlcohol is made by fermenting carbohydrates. It offers no nutritional benefits but does supply 7 calories per gram. Caloric content is more than carbohydrate and protein (4 calories per gram) and less than fat (9 calories per gram). These empty alcohol calories add up quickly, leading to increased body fat and weight gain. Alcohol can also interfere with nutrient absorption.ModerationFor most people, alcohol is safe in moderation. That’s one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. One drink is 12 ounces of regular beer, five ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, and scotch).BenefitsResearch suggests that moderate drinking, in the amounts recommended above, may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Red wine, in particular, contains phytochemicals that protect your heart. But if you don’t currently drink alcohol, this is not a good reason to start. A low-fat, near vegetarian diet that is high in fiber along with regular exercise, and abstinence from smoking are the best ways to fight heart disease.DangersAlcohol’s detrimental health, social, and economic effects can be seen in the 14 million alcoholics in the U.S. Drinking more than the recommended amounts of alcohol can increase your risk for high blood pressure and stroke. Heavy drinking leads to numerous health problems, like damage to the liver, brain, heart, and pancreas and an increased risk for some cancers. Alcoholism has a hereditary link; those with a family history of this disease should use caution.Others who should not drink alcohol include women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding, as well as all children and teenagers. Alcohol can also have adverse interactions with some over-the-counter and prescription medications.Nonalcoholic Alternatives

  • When dining out or socializing at a bar, you can always order your favorite drink without the alcohol—a “mocktail” or “virgin.”
  • Or try something simple, like mineral water with a twist of lemon, lime or orange.
  • Many restaurants now serve beer without alcohol.

At home, you have more options.

  • Ice cubes made from fruit juice add flavor to sparkling water.
  • Make your own wine coolers by adding fruit juice and sparkling water to a small amount of wine.
  • Stock up on maraschino cherries, lemon and lime slices, and party-style drink accessories.

Compare the alcoholic beverages to the alternatives.

  • You’ll save calories and in some cases gain nutritional benefits.
  • In addition, since alcohol can make you feel less inhibited, you may eat more when you do drink.
  • Those calories can add up quickly, too.

By Hollis Bass, MEd, RD.

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Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.

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