Health

DRINK YOURSELF THIN

From swapping Kronenbourg for Carlsberg and gin for vodka – the easy ways to cut the calories in your favourite drink

Alex Lloyd

Published: 0:08, 13 Jul 2023
Updated: 10:08, 13 Jul 2023

MORE than half of us want to see calorie counts on our booze, according to a YouGov survey.

Weight-conscious drinkers say they find it hard to know how much they are sipping because few manufacturers add this information to the labels of beers, wines and spirits.

GP and weight-loss expert Dr Aishah Iqbal warns booze can play havoc with your diet — GP and weight-loss expert Dr Aishah Iqbal warns booze can play havoc with your dietCredit: Getty

Alcohol contains seven calories per gram, almost as much as a gram of fat which contains nine calories.

GP and weight-loss expert Dr Aishah Iqbal warns booze can play havoc with your diet.

She says: “When you consume alcohol, your body considers it a toxin and prioritises its breakdown.

“The metabolism of fat is temporarily halted until the alcohol is processed.

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"Opt for lower-calorie beverages, such as light beers, dry wines or spirits mixed with soda water or diet soda.”

Here, Alex Lloyd finds some savvy swaps so you can stay trim while enjoying a tipple.

WKD swap

Save yourself 52 calories with this swap — Save yourself 52 calories with this swapCredit: Alamy

Smirnoff Ice is the winning swap — Smirnoff Ice is the winning swapCredit: Alamy

WKD Blue (275ml bottle) 228 cals

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SWAP FOR: Smirnoff Ice (275ml bottle) 176 cals

SAVE: 52 cals

Here for the beer

It wouldn't be summer without beer, so make yours a savvy pint — It wouldn't be summer without beer, so make yours a savvy pintCredit: Alamy

Save yourself 40 calories with a Carlsberg — Save yourself 40 calories with a CarlsbergCredit: Alamy

Kronenbourg 1664 (pint) 250 cals

SWAP FOR: Carlsberg (pint) 210 cals

SAVE: 40 cals

Bin the gin

Gordon's Gin is 213 calories per can

Sainsburys Vodka Lime and Soda will save a whopping 95 calories

Gordon’s G&T (250ml can) 213 cals

SWAP FOR: Sainsbury’s vodka lime & soda (250ml can) 118 cals

SAVE: 95 cals

Slim Pimms

Archers and Lemonade is 215 calories per can — Archers and Lemonade is 215 calories per canCredit: k

Pimms is a BBQ favourite, and it's lower calorie - win win

Archers and lemonade (250ml can) 215 cals

SWAP FOR: Pimm’s and lemonade (250ml can) 160 cals

SAVE: 55 cals

Sherry nice

Tesco's cream sherry is nearly double the calories

Treat yourself to Tesco finest, and save the calories — Treat yourself to Tesco finest, and save the caloriesCredit: Handout

Tesco cream sherry (70ml glass) 106 cals

SWAP FOR: Tesco Finest fino sherry (70ml glass) 60 cals

SAVE: 46 cals

Mali-boo

If sweet tipples are your thing, perhaps think mint rather than tropical

Sipping on Bacardi Mojito will save you 81 calories

Malibu and pineapple (250ml can) 195 cals

SWAP FOR: Bacardi Mojito (250ml can) 114 cals

SAVE: 81 cals

Jack it in

Scrumpy Jack may be tasty, but it packs 185 calories a can

Still enjoy the fizzy apple goodness, but for less

Scrumpy Jack (440ml can) 185 cals

SWAP FOR: Strongbow (440ml can) 163 cals

SAVE: 22 cals

Jammy swap

Jam Shed Chardonnay is 196 calories per glass

Whereas Sainsbury's Riesling is just 138 calories

Jam Shed Chardonnay (250ml glass) 196 cals

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SWAP FOR: Sainsbury’s Riesling (250ml glass) 138 cals

SAVE: 58 cals

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