It’s easy to drink your way through a night out with friends, but have you ever stopped to think about the calories in your cup? The most dangerous calories are the ones you can’t taste.
Most alcoholic beverages are filled with empty calories. A standard glass of wine contains approximately 160 calories, while beer, known as one of the more caloric alcoholic beverages, can contain upwards of 250 calories per pint – and those are just drinks without added sugars and mixers.
In order to put things into perspective, here is a list of how some classic alcoholic drinks compared to food you could be eating instead:
2 bottles of Budweiser beer = 6-oz. grilled Sirloin steak
Two bottles of Budweiser beer: 21.2 g. total carbohydrates, 290 calories
A 6-oz. grilled sirloin steak: 0 g. total carbohydrates, 312 calories
Instead of wasting your time with fermented barley, treat yourself to a nice, substantial dinner. Channel your inner Ron Swanson and learn how to cook the perfect steak.
3 shots of Fireball whiskey = 1 slice of Pepperoni pizza
Three shots of Fireball whiskey: 33 g. sugar, 33 g. total carbohydrates, 324 calories
One slice of pepperoni pizza: 4.11 g. sugar, 34 g. total carbohydrates, 298 calories
Why suffer through taking shots (especially shots of that cinnamon demon Fireball) when you could have an extra slice of pizza? Then, use your leftover pizza (if you have any) to continue that pizza-y goodness into tomorrow.
1 Tequila Sunrise = 1 Hershey chocolate bar
One Tequila Sunrise: 18 g. sugar, 25.6 g. total carbohydrates, 200 calories
One Hershey chocolate bar: 24 g. sugar, 26 g. total carbohydrates, 210 calories
200 calories in just one drink? Ouch. No wonder they taste so good. Try getting chocolate wasted instead of tequila wasted. Or better yet, make it a chocolate party.
1 bottle of Angry Orchard = 4 Oreo cookies
One bottle of Angry Orchard: 24 g. sugar, 30 g. total carbohydrates, 210 calories
Four Oreo cookies: 15.3 g. sugar, 32.5 g. total carbohydrates, 208 calories
Really, spiked apple juice over America’s favorite cookie? There’s no comparison in my book.
1 glass of Chardonnay = 1 serving of vanilla ice cream
One glass of Chardonnay: 1.4 g. sugar, 3.2 g. total carbohydrates, 123 calories
One serving of vanilla ice cream: 14 g. sugar, 16 g. total carbohydrates, 137 calories
Who wants to grow up? Return to your childhood roots with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Maybe even add some sprinkles if you’re feeling fancy.
1 glass of Pinot Noir = 4 Twizzlers
One glass of Pinot Noir: 3.4 g. total carbohydrates, 120 calories
Four Twizzlers: 17 g. sugar, 32 g. total carbohydrates, 140 calories
Let’s face it: no one can do Pinot Noir like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’s Pinot Noir. So, instead of attempting to outdo the true champ, work on mastering this awesome Twizzler hack.
1 Vodka Cranberry = 2 buttermilk pancakes
One Vodka Cranberry: 18 g. total carbohydrates, 172 calories
Two buttermilk pancakes: 21.8 g. total carbohydrates, 172 calories
Wake up without a pounding headache and ready to embrace the day (and pancakes) without feeling guilty. Use your extra time not spent hunting down the Advil to make these easy and delicious pancakes.