If you're on a diet to lose weight, every calorie that you consume matters. Most dieters spend time analyzing their food intake. But what about the calories that you drink? Can you drink wine when you're on a diet? It's hard enough to give up the high calorie coffee drinks in the morning, but do you have to give up happy hour as well?
Calories in Wine
The number of calories in wine depends on the type of wine you choose and the serving size. According to CalorieCount.com, white wine calories are lowest in dry varieties and higher as the sweetness increases. A single serving of dry white wine (120 grams or 5 ounces) contains 79 calories. There are 113 calories in white wine that is sweet and a glass of medium white wine contains about 89 calories.
Red wine calories are often higher. A single serving of red wine is 6 ounces and contains approximately 150 calories. It’s also important to remember that red wine is often served in a larger glass than white wine and it’s easy to drink a portion that contains more calories.If you're looking for a low calorie alternative, you’ll have a hard time finding one. Bon Affair is sold in some stores across the country and offers both a low calorie red and white wine spritzer. If you can't find that brand, your best bet is to drink the wine you like, but less often and only in moderation. Measure your wine in a measuring cup once or twice to make sure that you are only drinking a single serving.
The Effects of Alcohol on Your Diet
Regardless of the calories, drinking wine when you're on a diet can be tricky for other reasons. Alcohol can have an effect on your daily nutrition and your eating habits might change when you drink. You're probably going to be more likely to snack on high calorie, high fat or high salt foods when you consume alcohol. And if you drink too much, it could derail your workout plans for the next morning.
For all of these reasons, many dieters cut back on booze to lose weight. Some eliminate wine, beer and cocktails altogether. The right decision for you is a personal one. Just be sure to consider all the facts before you belly up to the bar.