How many calories are you drinking?
Friday night drinks with friends, a glass of wine to unwind after work, or celebrating special moments with champagne – drinking is often woven into our social fabric and relaxation routines. While these moments of enjoyment are an important part of life, many don't realise that their favourite drinks are silent contributors to our daily energy intake. Unlike the biscuit tin that comes with a nutrition label, your evening glass of wine or weekend cocktails don't come with an easy-to-read breakdown of their caloric content.
And here's the thing – it's not about demonising sugar or alcohol. Both can absolutely have a place in a balanced lifestyle. The challenge is that liquid calories, whether from your morning smoothie or evening wine, often fly under the radar when we think about our overall nutrition. While that Tim Tam might give you 95 calories of sweet satisfaction with a side of chocolate joy, your glass of wine delivers similar calories but might not register in your mind as part of your daily intake.
Common drinks and their average calorie content
Ever wondered what your favourite drinks look like as a snack? Instead of throwing numbers at you about calories in alcohol (let's face it, who remembers those?), let's play a fun game of "drink vs. food." This way, you can actually picture what you're sipping in terms of everyday foods. . It's a real eye-opener – and sometimes quite surprising – to see how your Friday night drinks stack up against your regular meals!
• A creamy cocktail e.g. pina colada has around 300 calories vs 2 slices of toast with some slices of avocado (also 300cal and 0 tsp of sugar)
• 2 bottles of cider (330ml each) has around 300kcal vs a small cheeseburger
• 3 pints of cider has around 800cals vs 1 kebab
• A 375ml can of full-strength beer has around 140cals vs a small soft serve ice cream cone
• 2 cans of full-strength beer have around 280cal vs 1 piece of fried chicken
• 1 pint o full-strength beer has around 215cal vs 1 slice of pizza
• A 375ml can of low strength beer has around 100cals vs 2 chicken nuggets
• A 375ml can of pre-mixed spirits has around 240cals vs a chocolate bar
• 3 cans of pre-mixed spirits have around 720cals vs 2 sausage rolls
• 2 flutes of champagne have around 220cals vs a slice of pizza
• 150ml glass of wine has around 100cals vs 1 dim sim
• 1 bottle of wine has around 560cals vs 1 loaf of garlic bread
How it all adds up
When thinking about drinks and their equivalent calories in food, it is easy to see how regular drinking can quickly add up. This is also before the nibbles and snacks that often paired with our favourite drinks. Alcohol is a well known appetite stimulant which is due to a few possible reasons:
• Your inhibitions are lower which makes it easier to succumb to impulses
• Your blood sugar levels may drop because your liver is busy detoxifying your body of the alcohol instead of keeping sugar levels balanced
• Some of your appetite hormones may be triggered which tricks your brain into thinking you are hungry.
• Alcohol is a diuretic which is why you pee so much when you drink This leads you to be dehydrated and thirst can easily be misinterpreted as hunger.
Top tips for smarter drink choices
Being aware of how it all adds up is a great start. Some simple ways you can reduce your alcohol intake without cutting down socialising:
• Water down your wine or beer with some sparkling water or lots of ice to make it go further.
• Offer to be the designated driver for the night
• Set yourself a limit before you start and count your drinks
• Avoid getting into ‘rounds’ as this adds pressure to keep pace with others instead of what feels comfortable to you.
Healthier alternatives to high-calorie drinks:
• Try an 0% alcohol spirit and a low-calorie mixer. There is a wide variety of low or no alcohol beers, wines and spirits at most bottle shops which taste just as good as the real thing.
• Start with water: Break up your drinks with a glass of water. Try sparkling water with a twist of lime
• Make a jug of water with some flavourful fruits and herbs. For example you could add pineapples, blueberries and sage leaves with some ice for a tasty drink that also has visual appeal.
Making informed choices about what we drink is just as important as watching what we eat – sometimes even more so, as those liquid calories can slip by unnoticed. Whether it's your morning coffee, afternoon smoothie, or evening wine, beverages can significantly impact your daily energy intake. Understanding these 'hidden' calories doesn't mean giving up your favourite drinks; it's about being aware and making conscious choices that align with your health goals.
