The Best and Worst Booze to Drink if You Want to Lose WeightAlcohol can either give you a beer belly or help you uncover your abs. After all, while one Archives of Internal Medicine study shows that people who put back one or two drinks a day are less likely to gain weight, research in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that men consume an extra 433 calories on days they have just a couple of drinks.While lowered inhibitions and drink-fueled munchies have something to do with it, 61 percent of the caloric increase comes from the alcohol itself. So, if you're trying to lose weight while still enjoying the occasional drink, you'd better be wise about which drinks you choose. Here are the best and worst booze you can order.Red or white, you can expect to consume roughly 100 to 120 calories per glass. (That's assuming, however, that you're drinking a standardized 5-ounce glass. Research from Iowa State and Cornell shows that people tend to over-pour by 12 percent.)However, there are some considerations to make when picking grapes: White wine typically contains fewer carbohydrates than does red wine, which makes a small difference in terms of calories, says Caroline Cederquist, M.D., author of The MD Factor and creator of bistroMD.

Meanwhile, red wine is richer in antioxidants, and a 2014 study in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, red wine's ellargic acids delay the growth of fat cells while slowing the development of new ones."A fortified wine with higher alcohol content and infused spices and herbs, vermouth is a calorie saver if you have it by itself—as it's commonly served in Europe," says Georgie Fear, R.D., author ofLean Habits for Lifelong Weight Loss. A 1.5-ounce serving contains a mere 64 calories, and typically contains about 15 to 18 percent alcohol, she says. Plus, research out of Budapest shows that it's jam-packed with polyphenol compounds, which may promote healthy weight loss.Still, remember that if you mix it into a Manhattan or martini, you're probably going to be consuming far more calories and sugar, Fear says.When it comes to getting the most alcohol for the fewest calories, shots and straight booze on the rocks are the way to go. "There isn't much of a difference between 80-proof hard liquors," Cederquist says.

"They all have around the same amount of calories and carbohydrates." And as calories increase along with alcohol content, the difference isn't huge. For instance, a shot of 86-proof whiskey contains 105 calories and a shot of 80-proof vodka contains 97.However, you also need to keep in mind that the sweeter the liquor, the more calories it typically contains, she says. Garden Furniture Hire Sydney"If you're looking for a lower calorie alternative, avoid the flavored vodkas and spiced rums and go for the original or 'plain' option offered," she says. Pictures Of Windows With Faux Wood Blinds"If you are looking for a flavor boost, try low-calorie mixers like a flavored seltzer or fresh squeezed lemon or lime. Solid Pink Comforter Sets Full

This will provide the taste without the calories."With fewer calories and carbs, these are the best brewskis for weight loss, Cederquist says. Many light beers contain 90 to 100 calories per 12 ounces, while extra-light beers pack about 55 to 65.However, just don't use that as an excuse to have more beers than you typically would, or you'll undo all benefits. Hey, they generally pack less alcohol, right? Well, yeah, but they actually tend to have a higher percentage of their calories coming from alcohol compared to standard brews. Budweiser Select 55 for example derives 88.2 percent of its calories from alcohol, compared to Bud Light at 74.1 percent, and regular Budweiser at 66.9 percent calories, Fear says.Sugar-Packed Cocktails"Margaritas and Long Island Iced Teas can set you back more calories than a large order of McDonald's French Fries," Fear says. Even worse, calories from sugar-laden drinks come as a sneak attack. When you drink a marg, your body is so overwhelmed with the alcohol content that your body doesn't properly metabolize the sugar.

Instead, it stores the sweet stuff as fat.There is never a good excuse to drink these and other sugar-filled cocktails especially if you are trying to lose weight or not develop diabetes, she says. Now, if you've got a skilled mixologist behind your bar, you're probably calorically safe ordering a cocktail. After all, he'd never serve up one of these artless offenses.High-Alcohol Craft Beers"The last five years have seen an explosion of craft breweries creating high-alcohol varieties, which pack more calories per bottle than you may realize," Fear says. Remember, more alcohol means more calories. Every gram of the good stuff contains seven calories.For instance, Flying Dog Horn Dog, which contains 10.2 percent alcohol by volume, also contains 314 calories per bottle, and Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA boasts 18 percent alcohol by volume, but also packs 450 calories into each bottle. That's a meal in a glass. Unfortunately, though, all that alcohol can wind up making you hungrier.April 11, 2013 |

I’ve had clients give up alcohol and drop weight like a hot potato. But then a holiday or special occasion comes along, they celebrate with a drink or two, and when alcohol creeps back into the picture, so do their lost pounds and inches. Like any habit that impacts weight, consistency is the true key to getting–and keeping–results. So if you don’t want to be a teetotaler for life, use these techniques to create a workable balance. Know what one drink is Research shows that both men and women who drink in moderation are less likely than non-drinkers to be obese. But on the flip side, more than moderate drinking is linked to a greater risk of being overweight or obese. For a woman, it’s no more than one “standard drink” a day, or two for a man. One standard drink is either a 1.5 oz shot of 80 proof distilled spirits, 5 oz of wine (a little less than a yogurt container) or a 12 oz beer (a bottle or can). Each contains about the same amount of alcohol, and will therefore raise your blood alcohol concentration fairly equally.

And nope, they don’t roll over, so abstaining during the week and downing 7-14 drinks over the weekend doesn’t count as moderate drinking. Tip: On a given day 36% of men and 21% of women consume alcohol, and most don’t exceed the recommended limits. If you’re not sure if you’re overdoing it, track your intake for a week or two. I’ve had clients say they think they are light drinkers, only to find out that they’re well above what’s considered moderate after logging their habits. One recent study found that the average amount of wine and liquor served at restaurants was about 40% more than a standard drink. Also, ordering a pint of beer rather than a bottle means an extra 4 ounces. Then there are the mixed drinks the size of smoothies, like a frozen margarita in a mug, which can pack nearly 500 calories, as much or more than an entire meal should provide. Tip: When you’re out, watch the bartender make or pour your drink, try to eyeball the amount, and adjust your estimation accordingly.

In other words, the one drink you paid for may actually contain one and a half, or two. At home, grab a jigger to measure liquor, and use retro (meaning smaller) wine and cocktail ware–liquid served in a smaller fuller glass really does feel like more than the same amount served in a larger emptier one. Vodka sodas have become the customary skinny cocktail because both vodka and club soda (note: not tonic) are carb free. Twelve ounces of ultra low carb beer and five ounces of dry wine contain a little more, about 3-4 grams respectively, but a regular beer packs at least 10 grams, about as much as a quarter cup of brown rice. Just 4 ounces of cola contains about 12 grams, and the same amount of sour mix will cost you a whopping 25 grams of carb. Tip: If you’re drinking with a meal or appetizer that contains carbs, scaling back in your drink isn’t a bad idea. One regular beer three nights a week snowballs into over 1,500 surplus carb grams a year, as much as 100 slices of bread.

A 100-calorie shot of tequila turns into a 500 calorie margarita once it’s swirled into a sugary mixer. But you can whip up healthier, slimmed down versions of slushy umbrella drink cocktails. Eight ounces of pina colada mixer contains 250 calories. For a third of the calories and a lot more nutrients, blend a handful of ice with ¼ cup each 100% pineapple juice, coconut milk (the kind in the dairy case), and sliced banana. Tip: Use watered down frozen, unsweetened fruit to create a cocktail base, spruced up with antioxidant rich add-ins like fresh grated ginger. One of my favorite combos is strawberries with sprigs of fresh mint. Or if on the rocks is more up your alley, check out my Grapefruit, Green Tea and Basil Margarita recipe. Thwart the alcohol-induced munchies Alcohol can act as an appetite stimulant and lower inhibitions–a double whammy recipe for overeating (have you ever gobbled foods while tipsy that you wouldn’t touch when stone sober?). In addition to everything I’ve written above, this is the key reason most weight loss plans nix alcohol.

Tip: To prevent post-drinking noshing you’ll regret the next day, prep some healthy, low cal options before you go out. If they’re ready to eat and right in front of you when you get home, you’ll be less likely to reach for chips or cookies. Good options include pre-popped popcorn, raw veggies with hummus, or cut fresh fruit. If you think you’re knocking back too many drinks each week, mix things up. Plan social activities that don’t revolve around drinking, seek out Meet Up groups that are specifically alcohol free, or volunteer to be designated driver, and sip a club soda with lime while out with friends. Tip: If you’d rather cut back than cut out alcohol, order drinks that will help you take in less alcohol per volume, like a wine spritzer instead of a glass of wine. How do you feel about alcohol? Does it tend to get in the way of your weight loss goals? Did any of this info surprise you? Please tweet your thoughts to @CynthiaSass and @goodhealth Cynthia Sass is a registered dietitian with master’s degrees in both nutrition science and public health.