Counting Calories in Keto-Friendly Vodka Sodas

Counting Calories in Vodka Sodas on the Keto Diet

The ketogenic diet has soared in popularity over recent years for its effectiveness at burning fat. With carb restriction at the core, many initially assume alcohol must be eliminated altogether. However, there are some keto-friendly drink options to enjoy in moderation, including vodka sodas. Read on to learn all about counting calories in vodka sodas and more when limiting carbs.

Understanding the Keto Diet

The goal of the ketogenic diet is to reach a metabolic state called ketosis through severe carbohydrate restriction, typically limiting to 30 net carbs daily. Without abundant carbs for energy, the body begins burning its own fat reserves resulting in rapid weight loss.

To induce fat burning ketosis, most keto dieters restrict carb rich foods like grains, starchy vegetables, sugars, and most fruits. Dairy, non-starchy veggies, proteins, oils, nuts and seeds make up the bulk of keto eating. Such a low carb diet makes many initially question whether any alcohol can be incorporated.

Can You Drink Alcohol on the Keto Diet?

Limited quantities of certain alcoholic beverage options can be enjoyed sparingly without kicking you out of ketosis. Spirits like whiskey, vodka, gin, and tequila contain zero carbs and sugar. Dry wines and champagne average under 5 grams of carbs per serving. Of course calories still add up quickly, so moderation is key.

On the banned list is beer packing 15-30 grams of carbs per 12oz serving. Sweet mixers like juice, soda, and nut milks are also prohibited. And sugary options like dessert wines, sparkling cocktails, and fruity mixed drinks can pack upwards of 30 grams of carbs preventing fat burning.

Vodka Soda Nutrition Info

Combining vodka with soda water, diet tonic, or other zero calorie mixers results in a great keto-friendly cocktail option. Let's take a look at the nutrition breakdown of vodka sodas:

• 1.5oz vodka - 97 calories, 0g carbs, 0g sugar
• 5oz soda water - 0 calories, 0g carbs, 0g sugar

A standard single vodka soda made with 1.5oz spirit totals just 97 calories and 0g net carbs. With most keto dieters limiting to around 1,200-1,500 calories per day, a couple vodka sodas can sneak into your daily limits.

Counting Your Vodka Soda Calories

Calories add up quickly when making mixed drinks due to usual at-home pour sizes exceeding standard servings. This means closely tracking vodka soda intake is crucial to avoid stalling keto weight loss. Use these tips for counting calories:

• Measure drinks precisely with a jigger or shot glass
• Count every ingredient from vodka to squeezes of lemon
• Record each sip in your food diary app
• Pace yourself over a couple hours to limit intake

While a single vodka soda generally fits into keto calorie limits, most tend to consume 3-4 drinks in a single setting risking weight loss progress. Alternate each round with a sparkling water to control quantities and stay properly hydrated.

Other Popular Keto Alcohol Options

Vodka sodas serve as the quintessential keto cocktail, but other low carb alcohol options can be enjoyed in moderation including:

• Dry Wines - 5g carbs per 5oz glass
• Champagne - 3g carbs per 5oz serving
• Light/Ultra Beers - 3-5g carbs per 12oz can
• Low carb mixers like diet tonic, diet soda, soda water, lemon-lime soda, iced tea, sparkling water

Dry white wines like sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and pinot grigio tend to have fewer carbs than heavier reds. Pay close attention to sweet and dessert style wines packing up to 36g carbs per pour!

Similarly with beer, stick to low carb light or ultra options under 5g net carbs. Michelob Ultra ranks best at just 2.6g carbs and 95 calories per 12oz serving. As always, sparkling water makes for a refreshing zero-carb alcohol alternative to stay properly hydrated.

Tips for Drinking Alcohol Keto-Style

Enjoying an occasional drink should not sabotage your keto diet if planned properly. Here are tips for imbibing alcohol while limiting carbs:

• Pace yourself with 1 drink per hour plus water
• Eat before drinking to slow absorption, especially high fat and protein foods
• Skip sweet mixer additions like juice, soda, and nut milk
• Choose clear alcohols like vodka, tequila, gin, champagne which are lowest carb
• Be cocktail conscious avoiding high carb offenders like margaritas, daiquiris, pia coladas, and anything fruity

Following these best practices helps ease the effects of alcohol so you awake refreshed and ready to conquer your keto goals without dreaded hangovers or weight gain!

What About Calories Burned Exercising?

You may be wondering if you can simply burn off excess alcohol calories through exercising more. Unfortunately calories from alcohol do not burn off as easily as other carb and fat calories consumed. Here is why:

• The body preferentially metabolizes alcohol calories first, pausing fat burning
• Most alcohol calories convert directly into fat storage rather than fuel exercised muscles
• Weight lifting or cardio done right after drinking carries increased injury risk

While regular exercise positively impacts health, it cannot directly offset overindulging in vodka sodas or other alcoholic beverages. The key remains closely tracking vodka soda calories to stay within your daily keto diet limits through mindful pouring and pacing all night long.

The Bottom Line

An occasional low carb cocktail like vodka soda can be incorporated into the ketogenic diet sparingly. Dry wines, champagne, and low carb beer serve as other keto alcohol options when calories are tightly measured. Still, abstaining completely or sticking to just special occasions avoids risk of weight loss stalls.

When you do indulge, properly pacing vodka soda or other keto cocktail intake keeps carbs minimal. Avoiding beer, sweet wines and mixers, plus eating before drinking further prevents kicking your body out of fat burning ketosis. Now you can confidently relax and enjoy a few vodka sodas without the guilt or morning after carb hangover!

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.