4 Low-Calorie Alcoholic Beverages…and How to Track Without Worry!

Whether it’s Friday or Saturday night, or Sunday morning brunch, alcoholic beverages are likely to be included as part of the weekend culture. We get it, it can be hard to find a balance between restriction and indulgence when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. Especially if you’re watching your calorie intake, some beverages feel like a splurge. The good news is there are plenty of delicious low-calorie alcoholic drink options that won’t derail your goals. That’s why we are here to provide you with some low-calorie options to order the next time you take a trip to the bar!

Vodka/Tequila and Club Soda

This classic is a go-to for many, and for good reason! It’s refreshing, simple, and one of the lightest options calorie-wise. Your spirit of choice mixed with soda water and a squeeze of fresh lime makes for a crisp drink without the extra sugar.

Estimated Calories: 96 calories for a 1.5 oz shot of vodka

Martini

A traditional martini may be an acquired taste, but it is another great option for keeping calories low. If you like yours extra dirty, just add about 20 calories overall!

Estimated Calories: 125 calories for a 2.25oz serving

Red Wine

A true classic! With so much variety to choose from, this option is sure to please a vast majority. Our recommendation would be to stick with varieties like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, Syrah, and pinot noir. The sweeter the wine, the more sugar content it has, so the calories will be higher.

Estimated Calories: 125 calories for a 5oz serving

Light Beer

If you are more of a beer-drinker, there are options for you, too! Many low-calorie beers exist, and it seems as if more are added to the market every day. With a variety of flavors and ABV, you’re sure to find something to enjoy! Keep in mind as a general rule, the higher the ABV, the more calories in the beer.

Estimated Calories: 105 calories for a 12oz serving at 4.2% ABV

How to Track Alcohol

Being consistent with your macronutrients for the day is possible while including alcohol, you just have to do a little math 😊 Most alcoholic beverages do not have a nutrition label, but you can typically find it online or in MyFitnessPal.

As an example: A beer label might show 0 protein, 15 carbs, and 0 fat but have a total of 250 calories.

If you multiply the 15 carbs by 4 calories, it totals 60 calories – not 250 calories. So where are the extra 190 calories coming from? You guessed it – alcohol.

We do not set alcohol macro goals, but you can track alcohol as carbs, fats, or both, depending on your macro intake. You can also just track the total calories.

Option 1 – Track Alcohol as Carbs

250 calorie beverage / 4 calories = 62.6g carbs

Option 2 – Track Alcohol as Fats

250 calorie beverage / 9 calories = 27.7g fats

Option 3 – Track as Both

250 calorie beverage / 2 = 125

125 / 4 = 31.25g carbs

125 / 9 = 13.8g fats

As always, alcohol does not NEED to be a part of any plan. If you choose to be sober, but feel the pressure to have a drink in your hand at social events, you can always order seltzer water with lime, a mocktail, or a non-alcoholic beer. I love this one!

We hope this makes you feel empowered to find more balance and enjoy whatever beverage you enjoy without worry. If you need any help at all with your health and fitness goals, click here to schedule a free intro and come find out what CrossFit Achieve can do for you!