Resolution Diets & Temptation of Alcohol

Losing Weight: Calories, Carbs of Beer & Wine

It's the middle of January and 38% of the 45% of the population that set New Year's Resolutions resolved to lose weight and get fit according to Stephen Shapiro's Goal-free Living. So the question is, which of the most popular diets lets you have that "after a long day at the office" drink?

Beer vs. Wine: Calories and Carbohydrates

ShapeFit and Beer100 offer a list of beers by brand, brewery, alcohol percentage, calories, and carbohydrates. In comparison to wine, beer exacts a hefty penalty on the calorie and carb counter, averaging around 200 calories. This heavy weight champion is not your friend in the diet ring.

By comparison, white wine is between 80 and 90 calories according to Caroline Sadowska of Break Studios. Her 5 Low Calorie Wines are a happy alternative to beer. These include, White Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. FatLossSchool backs this up arguing that "zinfandel tends to be one of the safest bets with a modest 80 calories. Other smart choices are Chablis, at 85, and chardonnays with around 90 calories all from 4 oz servings."

Low-Calorie Liquor

If you're going to drink liquor, choose vodka, which comes in at about 60 calories, and pair it with a diet soda or sparkling water with a slice of lime. Popular Diets, a diet blog, tracks the newest and most popular diets using Google Trends and Market Samurai.

Top 5 Diets Say No to Dieting and Drinking

1. Atikins Diet
2. Zone Diet
3. No/Low Carb Diet
4. Grapefruit Diet
5. 3-Day Diet

Since each of these popular diet choices prohibit the intake of carbohydrates, each of them states that drinking alcohol is strictly out of the question if you want to utilize the full effects of the diet. Not only is alcohol counterproductive to losing weight, there are some serious health risks involved too.

Don't Let Diet Stress Drive you to Drink

The ups and downs of dieting can be stressful and when the pounds aren't coming off it's easy to give in and reach for a vice that makes you feel better. If this becomes a habit and a coping mechanism, it can lead to serious health risks.

The CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says excessive drink can lead to bad decisions including unsafe sexual practices, violence, work loss, drinking and driving and health risks like stroke and cardiovascular problems.

As you embark on your New Year's Resolution diet, stray away from beer and high-calorie sodas in mixed drinks and lean toward those low-calorie white wines for happy hour.