If you’ve been eating a more healthier diet and getting in some exercise, but still aren’t noticing the fat drop off. It could be the area of your diet you may not have considered.
Many people forget that drinks contain calories too, and many of the most seemingly-innocent drinks can contain more calories than the average deli sandwich.
We know juices and fizzy pop are obvious culprits for containing hidden sugars, but did you know even a few cheeky glasses of wine with your summer salad can derail your weight loss efforts.
Let’s take a look at the calories in some popular beverages and how long it would take to burn off the in sweat.
Pint of lager – 180 calories
If you’re partial to a pint, then you’ll have to do 20 minutes of HIIT (high intensity interval training) to burn it off.
Pint of cider – 200 calories
Cider is sweet, which should be a clue that it contains a load of sugar. Get on your bike and get a good sweat on for 30 minutes.
Large red wine – 210 calories / 250ml
If you like to accompany your meal with a glass of red wine, then 30 minutes on the stepper at the gym or 30 minutes kickboxing will bring you back to square one.
Large white wine – 190 calories / 250ml
Like a glass of white for after work drinks? That’ll be 25 minutes on the cross trainer at the gym or 60 squats to work it off.
Single gin and tonic – 140 calories
Whilst lower in calories compared to beer and wine, a single G&T would take around 1.5 miles of running or 120 sit-ups to make up for it.
Single spirit (no mixer) – 50 calories
If spirits are your tipple. Brace yourself for 10 minutes of HIIT to burn through the calories in just one single shot. Not counting the mixer! (see below)
Cocktail – 200-400 calories
It’s even more difficult to keep track of how many calories are in your cocktail as they contain varied ingredients. Typically, a large, creamy cocktail or one high in fruit juices could contain a whopping 300 to 400 calories. Prepare to sweat with a 5 mile run or a gruelling hour spinning class.
Fizzy Pop – 140 calories
Soft drinks like cola is a major contributors to added hidden calories in our diet. It’s easy to chug one down on a hot summer day without realising, but even more so when sneakily added to your whisky, vodka or cocktail. A standard can of fizzy pop will take you 2 miles of running to burn off. That’s why diet versions are your new best friend.
Smoothies – 110 calories / 250ml
Those tropical sweet and tangy smoothies might seem like a healthy option. But there is nothing innocent about these bottles of liquid sugar. The 45 minutes of cycling should make up for it.
Large Latte – 258 calories
Your morning caffeine fix form your local coffee shop may be the ideal energy boost, hopefully for your morning workout. Because that Grande latte (450ml) is the equivalent of a 30 minute jog. Not including the whipped cream, syrups and toppings.
Hot Chocolate – 215 calories / 225ml
If you like cozy mug of hot chocolate at bedtime, get some extra rest ready for the 6 mile hike to work it of the next day. Extra marshmallows anyone?
Whatever your choice of beverage, just remember that drinks contain calories too. There are things you can do to keep your weight loss goals on track by following these tips:
- Choose low-calorie sugar free options.
- Avoid the mixers and opt for low calorie tonic water.
- Set yourself a target of one or two drinks, then switch to water.
- Before a drinking session with friends, fill up on a pint of water intermittently.
- Watch out for the bar snacks which you may nibble on unconsciously.
