The One Drink You Need To Cut Out ASAP If You’re Trying To Lose Weight

Having a cocktail or two while dieting won’t sabotage your weight-loss goals if you play it smart. However, not all drinks are created equal. If you are watching your calories but still want to enjoy a nice cold one every once in a while, steer clear of Long Island Ice Teas.

A Long Island Iced Tea does not contain any tea at all. It’s typically made with vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin, and a splash of cola. This combination gives the drink a similar amber hue as ice tea.

All alcohol contains empty calories. This means that it provides your body with calories but contains very little nutrients. The only exception is wine, especially red wine. Red wine is high in antioxidants that can help with heart health.

What makes alcohol especially bad when it comes to weight loss is how your body metabolizes it. After it’s consumed, your body will burn it first as a fuel source before it uses anything else. That includes carbohydrates or fat.  So, if your dink is high in carbs such as sugar, your body will store the excess calories as fat. A typical 14 oz glass of a Long Island Iced Tea contains around 424 calories. For every 8.3 ounces of Long Island Iced Tea, there are about 33 grams of carbohydrates—that’s twice the amount you get from a slice of bread!

The better option is to replace your cocktail with a glass of red wine or drink straight gin or vodka on the rocks or neat. Consuming alcohol in moderation won’t ruin your diet, but the type you choose will adversely affect your efforts. Skipping extra booze will help you enjoy a healthier body without all those “empty” calories.