Now that the summertime is officially upon us, more people are getting ready to enjoy some boozy drinks to celebrate the laidback season. However, if you’re also trying to maintain your ‘summer bod,’ you may want to be careful which adult beverages you choose to indulge in.
It’s no secret that alcoholic beverages aren’t great for our bodies in general, and aside from the damage they can have on the liver, they can also lead to weight gain. Still, some types of alcohol are considered ‘better’ than others when it comes to adding on pounds.
If you’re unsure which alcohol you should stick to this summer to stay more on track with your weight loss journey, you’re in luck, as a fat loss coach and TikTok content creator named Thomas Whitehead recently made a video ranking types of alcoholic beverages from the best to worst for shedding pounds.
“Here’s the alcohol ranked worst to best if you’re trying to lose as much body fat [as possible] before summer,” says Thomas at the start of his video. Read more about them below.
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Alcoholic Beverages With The Worst Ranking
When discussing the worst alcoholic beverages for fat loss, Thomas begins with sugary, sweetened, and creamy drinks. These are the kind of cocktails that are typically associated with summertime and hanging out on the beach.
"Pina Coladas, White Russians, anything that has Bailey's or cream in it are basically just a dessert in a can, and you're looking at 300 to 500 calories per [serving]," says Thomas.
Even though they can be quite delicious, these tropical or more indulgent drinks are essentially the same as drinking a big slice of cake or a milkshake, as the alcohol and added sugars create a recipe for blood sugar spikes and weight gain.
If you love these types of beverages, just ensure you're drinking them in moderation, or avoid them if you're determined to get fit before the summer ends.
Alcoholic Beverages Ranked In The Middle
The first drink that Thomas ranks next is a fan favorite: beer. People love drinking beer as the weather gets warmer, as it's cheap, often portable, and easy to sip on during events like baseball games or simply a backyard barbecue.
However, many variations of beer are known for being high in calories, and Thomas notes that a standard "pint" can contain 200 to 250 calories, which means that just drinking one is not too bad.
"But we all know you're not stopping at one, and that's where the calories rack up," he adds. "That's where the damage is done."
If you truly love beer and can't see yourself cutting it out when you indulge in a few drinks this summer, look for lighter beers advertised as "low calorie" to balance things out a bit.
Next, Thomas lists wine as his "Rank C" booze for fat loss, informing his viewers that a typical glass of wine contains around 130 calories, which, similar to beer, means that just one glass of wine isn't too bad for staying on track.
However, you'll want to keep this in mind the next time your wine night goes over that one-glass limit, as drinking 2 to 3 glasses or an entire bottle can throw you off course.
Alcoholic Beverages With The Best Ranking
Now, we're getting to the good stuff. A slight step up in ranking from wine is champagne or prosecco, which Thomas says contains around 80 calories per glass.
"It's not terrible," he explains.
"It has less sugar than normal wine, so you can have a few glasses without completely destroying your calorie deficit."
Finally, the alcohol Thomas considers to be the "best" in terms of staying on track with weight loss is clear, hard liquors, like vodka and gin.
"This is where the magic happens with around 50 [to] 60 calories per shot," says Thomas.
While this may be the alcohol with the least amount of calories, it's still important to keep track of just how much you consume in one day or night, not just because of safety reasons but because the calories can add up quicker than you think.
To avoid going overboard, Thomas suggests making yourself a gin or vodka and soda with fresh lime, and then for the rest of the night, only refilling your glass with soda anytime it gets low.
"Nurse that drink, keep your calories low, and enjoy your social life," he adds at the end of his video.
