A Healthier Guide to Summer Sipping
For as long as beaching was a thing, summer drink preferences have centered around anything cold and refreshing (and portable). But with recent trends like rose and wine spritzers on the rise, the portable alcoholic beverage market seems to be cashing in on lighter, on-the-go options. Among such offerings are rose, wine, flavored wine spritzers, and flavored vodka soda cocktails that are all conveniently packaged in a can or bottle. With a price tag comparable to that of beer and at less than 200 calories per serving, could these new favorites be a smarter choice?
Before we answer that question, let us consider a thing or two...
1. a serving vs. your serving
Yes, a 12-oz vodka spritzer like Truly Sparkling might be around 100 calories, with 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of carbs; overall, not a bad nutritional profile for an alcoholic beverage. However, it is important to be realistic about how many servings you plan on having and what your ultimate total will be.
2. alcoholic content
One standard drink is any beverage containing 14 grams of pure alcohol - this can be 12 fluid ounces of beer, 5 fluid ounces of wine, or 1.5 fluid ounces of 40% hard liquor (vodka, brandy, gin, rum, etc.). So while a 12-oz bottle of light beer like Corona Light (99 calories, 5 grams carbs) may have less calories and carbs than a canned rose like Babe Rose with Bubbles (160 calories, 10 grams carbs), its alcoholic content, or alcohol by volume (ABV) is approximately 1/3 the ABV of a 12-oz can of rose. Long story short, if you're drinking to catch more than just bubbles, you may have to triple your intake of light beer, which would inevitably result in more calories and carbs.
3. preference
There really is no right or wrong drink. If sipping on a single beer brings you more satisfaction than having unlimited amounts of wine (though highly debatable), then have that beer. Like food, alcohol should be consumed mindfully; remember to pace yourself, be in tune with your surroundings, your friends, and your body's reaction to the beverage. If you don't want it, you certainly don't need to have it.
and finally...
4. safety
Not to be a total buzz kill...but all jokes aside, please do drink responsibly.
Excessive alcohol intake can impair judgement and result in injury as well as lead to serious health implications if consumed over an extended period of time. For those with existing medical conditions such as Diabetes, it is important to understand that alcohol can lower blood sugar, leading to a condition known as hypoglycemia. Similarly, alcoholic consumption while taking certain medications or supplements can affect physiological functioning and potentially be life threatening.
