6 Alcoholic Beverage That Significantly Contribute to Weight Gain
Although researchers have not been able to link the consumption of alcoholic beverages directly to weight gain, it is a fact that alcohol itself is high in calories. As a matter of fact, alcohol has 7 calories per gram, second only to fat. There are a variety of alcoholic beverages available, and knowing which drinks to avoid will help reduce weight gain. Some alcoholic beverages that significantly contribute to weight gain are listed below. Many of these drinks contain equal or greater amounts of calories and sugar than some meals!
1. Long Island Iced Tea
Long Island Iced Tea is a popular alcoholic beverage, although it is high in calories and sugar. Just one serving, which consists of 1 ounce of vodka, 1 ounce of gin, 1 ounce of rum, 1 ounce of triple sec liquor and 1 tsp of tequila, 2 tsp orange juice and 2 ounces of cola-flavored soda, contains a whopping 510 calories!
2. Frozen Strawberry Margarita
Frozen mixed drinks, such as margaritas and daiquiris, are popular choices for many. Due to the added sugar, mixed drinks typically have more calories and more sugar than other types of alcoholic beverages. A 5 ounce frozen strawberry margarita has approximately 350 calories, 24 grams of sugar and 26 grams of carbohydrates.
3. Beer
Often consumed at adult parties, dinner and football games is another common alcoholic beverage: beer. There are a variety of types of beer, but for this comparison we’ll look at the common 12-ounce bottle. In one 12-ounce bottle of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot beer, there are 330 calories. Samuel Adams Boston Lager has 180 calories. As you can imagine, popping the top off of too many can certainly deplete your daily calorie bank.
4. Chocolate Martini
While traditional martinis aren’t as high in calories and sugar, chocolate martinis top the charts with their calorie and sugar counts. A 6-ounce serving of chocolate martini, made with 1 shot of chocolate liquor and 2 shots of vodka, contains approximately 440 calories, 9 grams of fat, 42 grams of carbohydrates and 29 grams of sugar.
5. Pina Colada
Pina colada, a smooth and creamy alcoholic beverage, is perhaps one of the most popular tropical cocktails. Made with rum, coconut cream, crushed pineapple and crushed ice, this drink is sure to satisfy the sweet tooth. In a 4.5 ounce serving of pina colada, you can expect to consume approximately 250 calories, 3 grams of fat, 32 grams of carbohydrates and 32 grams of sugar.
6. Mudslide
Another popular favorite, especially at holiday parties and restaurants, is the mudslide. Made with Irish cream, coffee liquor, vodka, vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup, this drinkable dessert is packed with calories and sugar. In fact, one 12-ounce serving contains almost 600 calories! Because of the size, some restaurant varieties contain a whopping 1,100 calories per drink.
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