Beware empty calories
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, compared with 4 calories per gram of protein or carbohydrate and 9 calories per gram of fat. Some wines provide small amounts of iron and potassium, and beer contains niacin, vitamins B6, chromium and phosphorus. But to benefit from the nutrients in these beverages, you would have to consume much more than the recommended limit of two drinks per day for a man or one for a woman. Each beverage that follows provide about 15 mL of ethanol, the usual definition of a drink. (Note that the calorie amounts for beer and wine vary depending on the type.)
Did you know? The average Canadian adult gets 21 percent of their total daily calories from beverages!
Dry wine
Alcohol volume: 10-14%
Serving size: 120 mL
Calories: 90
Wine cooler
Alcohol volume: 3.5-6%
Serving size: 355 mL
Calories: 220
Regular beer
Alcohol volume: 3-5%
Serving size: 355 mL
Calories: 150
Light beer
Alcohol volume: 3-5%
Serving size: 355 mL
Calories: 100
Bloody Caesar
Alcohol volume: 12 %
Serving size: 150 mL
Calories: 156
Gin & tonic
Alcohol volume: 9%
Serving size: 220 mL
Calories: 171
Manhattan
Alcohol volume: 37%
Serving size: 60 mL
Calories: 128
Martini
Alcohol volume: 38%
Serving size: 75 mL
Calories: 156
Piña Colada
Alcohol volume: 12%
Serving size: 130 mL
Calories: 262
Screwdriver
Alcohol volume: 8%
Serving size: 200 mL
Calories: 174
Tequila sunrise
Alcohol volume: 14%
Serving size: 160 mL
Calories: 189