When we go on a diet, we usually think that there are a number of things we need to cut out. Along with chocolates and carbohydrates, we tend to restrict or eliminate our alcohol consumption too. It’s important to remember that alcohol is not necessarily all that bad for your waistline. Wine, for example, offers a number of benefits and might not be too bad for your diet.
The first thing to consider is the number of calories in each glass. Wine consists of alcohol, water, carbs, and a number of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins to name a few. It’s the carbohydrates and alcohol that are responsible for the number of calories in wine. For the most part, there are 4 calories per gram of carbohydrates and 7 per gram of alcohol. Therefore, the alcohol level of the wine will influence the calorie count.
A glass of wine with an ABV (Alcohol by Volume) of 9 – 12 percent has approximately 110 – 140 calories. A glass with an ABV of 15 – 20 percent can contain 180 – 220 calories. So, if you are drinking wine with a higher ABV, you might want to reduce your intake. Enjoy smaller portions in order to kep the overal calorie count as low as possible. Alternatively, look for wine with a lower ABV if you want to enjoy more than just one glass.
According to various studies, men and women tolerate wine differently for a number of reasons. This is why the recommended maximum intake per day for women is one glass of wine whereas men can enjoy up to two glasses.
Finally, if you are trying to choose the right kind of wine, you should avoid high ABV wines such as Port, zinfandel, shiraz, sweet sherry, chardonnay, and so on. Keep in mind that European wines are usually lower in alcohol content so pay attention to where the wine was made. Now, this is not to say that you cannot ever enjoy a glass of Port but you might want to go easy.