Hip Tastes Blog

Alcopops Anonymous
filed under: Ramblings

I've got to thank my buddy Rick Dobbs over at The Mixologist blog for bringing something to my attention that has great bearing on the lives of hip cocktailers concerned with keeping their waistlines trim enough to fit into the latest Marc Jacobs creation. The University of Rochester, gravely concerned with the measurements of weight-conscious drinkers across the land, recently released a listing of the calorie content in many of the alcoholic drinks we enjoy regularly, including your average glass of red wine (70 cals), rose (just 62) and dozens of brands of beer such as Amstel Light (99) and Dos Equis XX Special Lager (156). The most caloric cocktail registered a whopping 789 calories (Long Island, baby) while a Margarita registered a still-high-but-not-quite-so-shockingly-fattening 300.

The groundbreaking study, which will certainly herald clarity in cocktail consumption for countless revelers, also includes a technical definition of the term "beer belly" and states, in crystal clear bullets, the bottom line when it comes to booze and the waistline: "Simply put, alcohol reduces the amount of fat the body burns for energy."

Mon dieu. But at least stylish cocktail denizens across the land are now armed and fabulously prepared to at least moderate their booze intake, utilizing, perhaps, one of the University of Rochester's insightful tips such as "Substitute your "alcopop" for a shot of spirit and a low calorie mixer - about a quarter of the calories!" (Verbatim.)

Cheers.

Posted by Courtney on January 21, 2007 09:02 PM

Comments

Hmmm...I'm justifying my nightly glass of vino with all the recent studies that showed that red wine drinkers were leaner than non drinkers.
Also, as a dietitian that works with gastric bypass patients, I found that most of the morbidly obese population do not drink alcohol.

Posted by: Maureen on January 22, 2007 08:11 AM
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Maureen - that's an excellent justification, and I think - based on much of what I've read on the subject - generally true. Thanks for posting, and keep up the red wine consumption!

Posted by: Courtney on January 22, 2007 10:19 AM
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