“Adult Beverage” Calories Add Up Fast

“But I really do not eat that much”. Did you forget about the martini followed by the bottle of wine you shared last night? What about the margaritas (multiple) you had out with the girls the past weekend? Does this sound familiar?

Do you have a “cosmo” belly?
When estimating calorie intake many people completely disregard or greatly underestimate the amount of energy provided in each beverage especially alcoholic beverages.  Meeting friends for drinks after work or late at night can significantly increase calorie intake and weight gain if you don’t know which drinks or how many drinks to order.  Most people have heard of getting a “beer belly” from excessive intake of beer, however cocktails and wine can also lead to weight gain… perhaps a “wine belly” or a “cosmo belly” if those are your drinks of choice.   Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram which is significant compared to protein and carbohydrates that only provide 4 calories per gram.  As with all foods and beverages, moderation is key. You don’t have to miss out on happy hour or a night out; just making better choices at the bar can keep your calorie intake balanced and prevent extra weight gain.

The calories from alcohol add up quickly
Also think about which beverages you tend to drink in large quantities.  While chatting and catching up with friends it’s easy to order 3 to 4 drinks without even thinking about it.  I myself have found that there are certain drinks that I will finish in no time, and other drinks I tend to drink slowly throughout the night.  Another trick I use is drinking from the skinny cocktail straws; this greatly slows down how fast I drink and reduces the amount of drinks I order.  More tips on how to fit alcohol into your diet will be posted in a few weeks.

The calories from alcohol can lead to weight gain
Below is a list of many beers, wines, cocktails, and shots.  Look for your favorites and determine how many calories you tend to drink in a night.  Remember all calorie when consumed in excess of your needs will lead to weight gain. It does not matter whether the calories are from food or alcohol.  So if you are looking for the culprit of your weight gain, or your inability to lose weight, it may just be that night out or happy hour with your friends.  Try lower calorie drinks and maybe change some of your behaviors while drinking so you are mindful of how many drinks and calories you are actually taking in.

Here are the calories of some common alcoholic beverages. Keep in mind that drink sizes (as well as prices as we all know too well!)  will vary depending upon where you go. This will obviously affect the calories. Most restaurants and bars use anywhere from 1-2 shots of alcohol for most drinks (plus the mixer). Our calculations are estimations.

Article was contributed by Liz Dias, dietetic intern at

New York Presbyterian Hospital in NYC