Its that time of year again, the time of year when you ask WHY is Christmas so close to Carnival? I feel your pain people, since of course I am on a diet gearing up for Carnival and I refused to be derailed by sorrel, ponche de creme, pastelle and black cake as I have seen the ladies in my section and they all look like the section leader handpicked them from a casting for America's Next Top Model.... I am serious, all gorgeous.
Anyway, I digress, if you are planning on consuming alcohol over the next few weeks as you attend Christmas parties, functions and visit friends for the season please note the calorie and carbohydrate content in your favorite Spirits:
Anyway, I digress, if you are planning on consuming alcohol over the next few weeks as you attend Christmas parties, functions and visit friends for the season please note the calorie and carbohydrate content in your favorite Spirits:
| Wine | Calories | Carbs | Per 5-oz Serving |
| Chardonnay | 20 | 0.4 g | 100 calories, 2 g carbs |
| Pinot Grigio | 20 | 0.4 g | 100 calories, 2 g carbs |
| Zinfandel® White Wine | 20 | 0.4 g | 100 calories, 2 g carbs |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 20 | 0.8 g | 100 calories, 4 g carbs |
| Merlot Red Wine | 20 | 0.8 g | 100 calories, 4 g carbs |
| Hard Liquor | Calories | Carbs | Per 1.5-oz Serving |
| Vermouth | 32 | 0.2 g | 64 calories, 0.4 g carbs |
| Coconut Rum | 51 | 5.3 g | 77 calories, 8 g carbs |
| Beefeater® Gin | 65 | 0 g | 98 calories, 0 g carbs |
| 69 | 0 g | 104 calories, 0 g carbs | |
| Scotch Whiskey | 69 | 0 g | 104 calories, 0 g carbs |
| White Rum | 69 | 0 g | 104 calories, 0 g carbs |
| Vodka | 69 | 0 g | 104 calories, 0 g carbs |
| 69 | 2 g | 104 calories, 3 g carbs | |
| Tequila | 69 | 5.3 g | 104 calories, 8 g carbs |
| Gilbey’s® Gin | 79 | 0 g | 119 calories, 0 g carbs |
| Beer | Calories | Carbs | Per 12-oz Serving |
| "Light" Beer | 9 | 0.5 g | 108 calories, 6 g carbs |
| Draft Beer | 12 | 1.1 g | 144 calories, 13.2 g carbs |
| Lager | 14 | 1.1 g | 168 calories, 13.2 g carbs |
| Ale | 18 | 1.1 g | 216 calories, 13.2 g carbs |
| Liqueur | Calories | Carbs | Per 1.5-oz Serving |
| Chocolate Liqueur | 103 | 11 g | 155 calories, 17 g carbs |
| Mint Liqueur | 103 | 11 g | 155 calories, 17 g carbs |
| Peppermint Liqueur | 103 | 11 g | 155 calories, 17 g carbs |
| Strawberry Liqueur | 103 | 11 g | 155 calories, 17 g carbs |
Wine is your best bet in terms of calories per glass, however it does have 2g of carbs per every 5oz, hard liquor like rum or scotch has 0 carbs and if you mix it with diet soda it is not a bad option for a drink either, once you can stop at just A drink. The best advice for those looking to stave off the extra lbs for Christmas is to not drink at all, as the calories in alcohol do add up! I love the options laid out by the author of the blog She Walks Around With It:
Booze not only slows your metabolism, it has lots and LOTS of stupid calories. So like, if you're a girl, and you're aiming to consume 1200 calories a day, and you're an alcoholic, your options go something like this:
Daily Food Intake: Option 1
1/2 grapefruit
1 slice whole grain toast
2 tbs peanut butter
1/4 c cottage cheese
grilled chicken salad
1 apple
2 slices cheese
handful almonds
sensible dinner
Daily Food Intake: Option 2
1 bottle wine
3 potato chips
Basically if you want to survive DRINKING during the Christmas holidays choose your alcohol wisely, drink in moderation, watch the mixers as diet sodas will be the better choice over fruit juice, avoid cocktails and best of all, do not drink at all if you are on a diet. Easier said than done with all the temptation but just think of your costume and the fact that you would have to burn off ALL those calories post Christmas in order for them not to convert to extra lbs!
Tomorrow we discuss Surviving Christmas Part 2.... EATING!
SOURCE:
www.sparkpeople.com
