Lots of parties and extra foods tempt us during the Holidays. Before we know it, the Super Bowl is over and we have five extra pounds to try and lose before spring. Everyone is probably aware that most party foods, appetizers, hors d’oeuvres, dips and desserts have a lot of calories. Many are made with butter, cream cheese, cheese, and other high fat ingredients that can really jack up the calorie count.
     As a nutritionist, I tend to focus on helping people choose their foods wisely during the holidays to avoid weight gain, but there is another potential source of calories that frequently gets overlooked - the holiday beverages. There are no nutrition fact labels on bottles of wine, liqueur, champagne, vodka, bourbon, rum or gin so their caloric value may come as a surprise to those who are trying to watch their waistlines. Non-alcoholic drinks such as eggnog and mulled cider are seasonal favorites frequently offered as an alternative at parties.
     Just how many calories are in these beverages?

• White or red wines – 5 ounce serving – 110 calories
• Dry dessert wines- 5 ounces – 200 calories
• Sweet dessert wines- 5 ounces-  up to 350 calories
• Champagne – 5 ounces – 150 calories
• Distilled spirits- Scotch, vodka, bourbon, gin, etc.- 1.5 ounces – 100 calories
• Beer – 12 ounces – 150 calories
• Light beer – 12 ounces – 110 calories
• Non-Alcoholic beer – 12 ounces – 70 calories
• Bloody Mary- 5 ounces- 130 calories
• Gin and tonic- 7 ounces- 190 calories
• Irish Coffee- 10 ounces – 159 calories
• Margarita- 6 ounces- 327 calories
• Martini- 4 ounces – 240 calories
• Mudslide- 8 ounces- 550 calories
• Pina Colada- 8 ounces- 312 calories
• Rum and Coke- 8 ounces – 240 calories
• Whiskey Sour – 4 ounces- 165 calories
• Eggnog – 8 ounces- 343 calories (more than half the calories come from fat)
• Apple Cider- 8 ounces – 125 calories

      The serving sizes are especially important when you consider this list. For instance, I have three different size wine glasses in my cabinet. One is tall and thin and holds five ounces, the next is a typical wine glass and it holds eight ounces, and then there is a big one that holds twelve ounces. If I choose the largest glass, then my calorie intake goes up to 264 per glass for my favorite white wine. It might be wise to enjoy your favorite beverage in the smallest glass available!
     Alcohol is metabolized by the body as a fat and it will raise the level of triglycerides in the blood. Many people believe that alcohol is used by the body as a carbohydrate or that it raises blood sugar, but this is not the case. There can be significant carbohydrate-type calories provided by the mixers, such as orange juice or soda. Consider mixing alcohol with sugar free or diet mixers to reduce the calories and sugar in mixed drinks. Enjoy your holiday beverages and drink responsibly, but remember the calories can add up.