The reason being is that, when it comes to weight loss, alcohol is considered “empty calories” since it doesn’t contribute to your daily requirement of nutrients and vitamins necessary for proper health.
Too much alcohol is also linked to an increased risk for a slew of diseases, so most doctors will tell you to keep your intake limited, even when you’re not counting calories.
If you have ever attempted any sort of diet or detox, then you’ve probably faced the unfortunate realization that your favorite alcoholic beverages are usually on the list of things to avoid.
But there is one alcoholic beverage that actually has health benefits and that’s wine. Red wine, in particular, contains a key antioxidant called resveratrol, which has been found to actually prevent various conditions, including heart disease and even some forms of cancer.
So, if you’re going to dabble with drinking while you’re trying to maintain your figure, you might as well sip wine. But if you’re really concerned about how many calories you’re tacking on, opt for these low-calorie wines that taste just as good as their counterparts. Cheers!
Stella Rosa Aluminums, $5 for 8. 5 oz can
Calories per glass: 68
From an award-winning selection of semi-sweet, semi-sparkling Italian wines, imported by Riboli Family Wines Estates, comes 16 distinctive flavors available in 750ml, 187ml, and 1. 5L magnum glass bottles, as well as 8. 5oz aluminum bottles. Aside from the light and portable perks, Stella Rosa Aluminums clock in at about the same amount of calories as a cup of grapes and come in several different flavors, including Black, Platinum, Pink and, the newest, Sparkling Rose, which offers flavor notes of strawberry and rose petals. Basically, it’s rosé on the rocks!
Spanish Beso Del Sol Sangria, $15
Calories per glass: 74
If you’re into sweeter wines or, better yet, wine cocktails like sangria, you’ll be glad to know that it is possible to score one that tastes great for half the calories. This sangria is made from 100 percent Tempranillo wine from Valdepeñas and offers hints of Spanish lemon, orange, and a touch of cinnamon. It’s also all-natural, vegan, gluten-free, lower alcohol at 8. 5 percent, and it does not contain any artificial sweeteners. Pretty sweet, right?
2016 Cense Sauvignon Blanc, $15
Calories: 85
This just-on-the-market line of premium wines produced by Truett-Hurst Winery (T-H), a well-renowned vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley of California’s Sonoma County is actually endorsed by Weight Watchers. The Sauvignon Blanc, aptly named Cense, contains only 3 SmartPoints and less than 100 calories. For reference, most wines usually range between 120 to 140 calories per serving and cost, if you will, about 5 SmartPoints. It is lower in alcohol by volume, however, with only 9. 6 percent compared to the usual 12 to 14 percent.
Banfi Vintners Riunite Lambrusco, $6
Calories per glass: 98
Hailing from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, this fruity, light-bodied red wine contains about 20 percent fewer calories than your standard glass of red, which clocks in at around 123 cals. One glass of Riunite Lambrusco contains about 98 calories, so you can think of it like your average Michelob Ultra or Corona Light. One thing to keep in mind is that it also contains less alcohol percentage by volume at 8 percent.
Skinnygirl Wine Collection, $10
Calories per glass: 100
While most brands aim to cut the calorie content of their wine by dicing alcohol percentage in half, Skinnygirl has managed to create an award-winning variety of wines that offer the same percent alcohol by volume (12 percent) as traditional brands. They come in all your favorite varieties, too, including full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, oaky Pinot Noir, rich Chardonnay, fruity California Rosé, sweet Moscato, bubbly Prosecco, and more.
