Calories in Whiskey: How Different Alcoholic Drinks Impact Weight Loss

Counting Calories in Whiskey and Other Alcoholic Drinks

When watching your weight, the calories in alcoholic beverages matter. While abstaining from alcohol is ideal, you can make smarter choices if you do opt to imbibe. Read on to learn the calorie, carb, and sugar counts in popular booze, specifically whiskey, and how different drinks impact weight loss efforts.

Calories in Whiskey

Whiskey is a distilled spirit made from fermented grain mash. Various types of whiskey include:

• Bourbon whiskey - Made from a mash containing at least 51% corn.
• Tennessee whiskey - Charcoal filtered bourbon made in Tennessee.
• Scotch whisky - Made in Scotland from malted barley.
• Irish whiskey - Distilled in Ireland from a mash of grains.
• Rye whiskey - Contains at least 51% rye grain in the mashbill.

A standard 1.5 ounce (44 ml) shot of 40% alcohol whiskey contains around 100 calories. However, calorie counts can climb higher depending on factors like:

• Proof - Higher alcohol percentage means more calories.
• Aging - Longer barrel aging increases calorie content.
• Additives - Flavorings like honey, maple syrup or sugar add calories.

For example, a 90 proof bourbon contains 105 calories per 1.5 ounce shot. But a barrel proof whiskey at 125 proof packs 140 calories in the same serving size. Overall, most straight whiskey varieties range from 90 to 130 calories per standard shot.

Carbs in Whiskey

Most whiskey and other distilled spirits do not contain carbohydrates, assuming no sugary flavor additives are present. During the distillation process, the sugars naturally present in grains convert into alcohol, leaving behind no residual carbs.

Some exceptions include honey- or maple syrup-flavored whiskeys. These contain around 5 grams of carbs per serving from the added natural sweeteners.

Sugar in Whiskey

There is no naturally occurring sugar left in straight whiskey after distillation. Unflavored varieties don't list any sugar on nutritional labels.

Flavored whiskeys, however, may contain 1-2 grams of sugar per serving from added honey, maple syrup, or other sweeteners. These will increase the calorie count slightly compared to straight whiskey.

How Alcohol Impacts Weight Loss

When consumed in moderation, whiskey and other alcoholic drinks can fit into a healthy lifestyle that includes weight management. But overdoing the booze can sabotage weight loss efforts.

Here's how alcohol affects the body and weight control:

• High calories - Alcohol packs 7 calories per gram, just under fat (9 cals/g). Excess calories from alcohol can lead to fat storage.
• Inhibits fat burning - The body prioritizes metabolizing alcohol over other macros. Drinking can stall fat burning for several hours.
• May increase appetite - Drinking often leads to increased food intake either during or after alcohol consumption.
• Lowers inhibition - Being under the influence leads to poor food choices and overeating.
• Causes bloating - Alcohol has a dehydrating effect and causes water retention, resulting in a bloated look.

For successful weight management, focus on reducing excess alcohol intake, drinking in moderation, and making careful food choices on drinking days.

Tips for Drinking Alcohol While Dieting

If you choose to enjoy alcoholic beverages occasionally while losing weight, employing certain strategies can help mitigate the impacts on your diet:

• Limit yourself to 1-2 servings max.
• Alternate each drink with water to pace yourself and stay hydrated.
• Avoid sugary mixers. Opt for club soda, diet soft drinks, or water.
• Eat before and while drinking to prevent overindulging later on.
• Choose lower calorie options like dry wine and avoid beer and frozen cocktails.
• Account for those liquid calories in your daily food intake.
• Avoid drinking on an empty stomach which can result in quicker intoxication.

Moderating alcohol intake rather than removing it entirely is an approach most can sustain long-term. Just be mindful of calories to keep your weight goals on track.

Calories in Different Types of Alcoholic Drinks

Calorie counts can vary greatly based on the type of booze. Here are the approximate calories per standard serving size of popular alcoholic beverages:

Beer

• Light beer - 100 calories per 12 oz.
• Regular beer - 150 calories per 12 oz.
• Craft beer - 180-250 calories per 12 oz.

Wine

• Red wine - 125 calories per 5 oz.
• White wine - 120 calories per 5 oz.
• Sweet wine - 165 calories per 5 oz.
• Champagne - 90 calories per 4 oz.

Spirits

• Vodka - 100 calories per 1.5 oz.
• Gin - 115 calories per 1.5 oz.
• Rum - 105 calories per 1.5 oz.
• Tequila - 105 calories per 1.5 oz.
• Whiskey - 100 calories per 1.5 oz.

Liqueurs and Aperitifs

• Amaretto - 180 calories per 1.5 oz.
• Cognac - 105 calories per 1.5 oz.
• Schnapps - 150 calories per 1.5 oz.
• Vermouth - 165 calories per 1.5 oz.

Keep in mind craft cocktails mixed with fruit juices, cream, simple syrup and other ingredients hike up calories quickly. A pina colada can pack over 500 calories per serving!

Low-Calorie Alcoholic Drink Options

If you're watching your waistline, these low-calorie drink options can allow you to imbibe without sabotaging your diet:

Dry Wine

Go for dry red or white wine rather than sweet varieties. A 5 ounce glass of dry wine has 100-125 calories. Limiting yourself to one glass with dinner is a smart choice.

Champagne

A 4 ounce serving of this sparkling wine comes in under 100 calories. Alternate each glass with some sparkling water to control your intake.

Light Beer

Selecting a light lager or pale ale can shave 50+ calories off a beer. Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Michelob Ultra are some popular options at around 100 calories per 12 ounce bottle.

Vodka Soda

This simple combo of vodka and club soda or seltzer has only around 100 calories per serving. Flavor it with a squeeze of lemon or lime instead of sugary juice.

Whiskey Neat

Sipping whiskey straight up without any mixers checks in around 100 calories per 1.5 ounces. Just beware of higher proof varieties packing more calories.

Tequila Seltzer

Mix tequila, which clocks in around 100 calories per shot, with zero-calorie seltzer water and fresh lime juice for a slimmed down margarita-like beverage.

Avoid heavy mixed drinks with sugary add-ins and multiple alcohols which can quickly rack up calories. Focus on simple servings of dry wine, spirits, and light beer instead.

Worst Alcoholic Drinks for Weight Loss

Steer clear of the following high-calorie beverages if weight loss is your aim:

Long Island Iced Tea

These gigantic mixed drinks often consist of gin, vodka, rum, triple sec, sweet and sour mix, and Coke topping 800 calories each.

Margaritas

Blended frozen margaritas made with sugary mixes can contain over 500 calories. Even restaurant-made margaritas average a hefty 300 calories.

Pia Colada

Made with rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice, just one pia colada can cost you over 500 calories.

Craft Beer

Trendy high-alcohol craft beers like imperial IPAs and stouts often exceed 250 calories for a 12-ounce serving.

Dessert Wine

Sweet dessert wines like port, sherry and ice wine contain 165 calories or more per small glass.

Mudslide

This ice cream drink made from vodka, Kahlua and Bailey's Irish Cream totals around 340 calories per serving.

When craving a special indulgent cocktail, share one with friends or order a child-size portion to help control portions and calories.

Healthiest and Worst Types of Alcohol for Weight Loss

Ranking from best to worst, here are the healthiest and unhealthiest types of alcohol if you are working on shedding pounds:

Best Alcohol Options

1. Dry wine - 125 calories per 5 oz.
2. Champagne - 90 calories per 4 oz.
3. Vodka soda - 100 calories per 1.5 oz. shot.
4. Light beer - 100 calories per 12 oz.
5. Straight whiskey - 100 calories per 1.5 oz.

Worst Alcohol Options

1. Long Island iced tea - Over 800 calories.
2. Blended frozen cocktails - Up to 600 calories.
3. Mudslides and dessert drinks - Around 340 calories.
4. Beer and ciders - 150-300 calories per bottle.
5. Sugary mixers - Up to 300 calories per serving.

If you're watching calories to lose weight, limit higher calorie beers, aperitifs, and sugary cocktail mixes. Prioritize dry wine, sparkling wines, vodka sodas, and neat spirits.

Tips for Drinking Alcohol on a Diet

Here are some final tips for enjoying alcohol occasionally without derailing your diet:

• Budget your calories to account for drinks.
• Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to pace intake.
• Eat a protein-rich meal before drinking to fill up.
• Avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
• Select the lowest calorie options like light beer or dry wine.
• Limit yourself to 1-2 servings max per day.
• Skip sugary blended or frozen alcoholic drinks.
• Dont let peer pressure lead to drinking more than you planned.

Carefully choosing alcoholic beverages along with employing smart strategies can allow you to enjoy the occasional drink without sabotaging your diet or weight loss goals.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to calories in whiskey, a 1.5 ounce shot contains around 100 calories, absent any sugary additives. However, calories, carbs, and sugar can climb higher depending on the whiskey's proof, aging, and flavorings.

If you do choose to drink alcohol moderately while managing your weight, select dry wine, light beer, vodka sodas, and straight spirits most often. Avoid heavy beer, sweet wine, and high-calorie cocktail mixes. Being mindful of drink choices and portions makes it possible to safely enjoy alcohol without derailing your diet.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.