Calories add up while toasting in New Year
in
Warwick
As a nutritionist, I tend to focus on helping people choose their foods wisely during the holidays to avoid weight gain, but there is another potential source of calories that frequently gets overlooked - the holiday beverages. There are no nutrition fact labels on bottles of wine, liqueur, champagne, vodka, bourbon, rum or gin so their caloric value may come as a surprise to those who are trying to watch their waistlines. Nonalcoholic drinks such as eggnog and mulled cider are seasonal favorites frequently offered as an alternative at parties.
Just how many calories are in these beverages?
The serving sizes are especially important when you consider this list. For instance, I have three different-sized wine glasses in my cabinet. One is tall and thin and holds 5 ounces, the next is a typical wine glass and it holds 8 ounces, and then there is a big one that holds 12 ounces. If I choose the largest glass, then my calorie intake goes up to 264 per glass for my favorite white wine. Alcohol is metabolized by the body as a fat. Many people believe that alcohol is used by the body as a carbohydrate or that it raises blood sugar, but this is not the case. There can be significant carbohydrate-type calories provided by the mixers, such as orange juice or soda. Consider mixing alcohol with sugar-free or diet mixers to reduce the calories and sugar in mixed drinks. Enjoy your holiday beverages and drink responsibly, but remember the calories can add up.
