Brierley Wright's Blog [1]

3 drinks that won't bust your diet

By Brierley Wright [1], July 2, 2009 - 4:36am

If it fits through a straw, it can’t contain very many calories, right?

Wrong!

With the exception of water, I find it easy to forget that what I drink adds to my daily calorie tally—and maybe more so than you’d think. For example, a 5-ounce glass of wine has 125 calories and a 12-ounce beer 150 calories. That’s enough to tip even a disciplined dieter over the top.

But what I find downright disturbing is that some of my favorite summer cocktails are chock-full of calories, to the point that I could trade just one of them in for a meal. Yep, that’s right, a meal.

Here’s how much “damage” your favorite summer sipper can do. (Plus, find more than 20 delicious lower-calorie summer drink recipes here. [4])

Monkeylada [5] – A pina colada boasts about 403 calories. That’s about as much as a hamburger (397 calories). Try this lower-calorie version of a pina colada, made with ripe bananas, fresh pineapple and coconut milk—the Monkeylada.

Blueberry-Lime Margarita [6] – A margarita contains 375 calories, but you could have a hot dog with chili and cheese for 367. Try EatingWell’s Blueberry-Lime Margarita for just 125 calories, plus you’ll get some potassium, vitamin C and antioxidants.

Peach Wine Cooler [7] – You could trade your wine cooler at 200 calories for a scoop of potato salad (203 calories). Save yourself a few calories with this easy homemade Peach Wine Cooler.

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