You don’t have to give up all of your favorite vices just to shed a few pounds. When it comes to eliminating certain things from your diet, like red wine, it’s important that you keep a few of the most harmless vices for special occasions. When someone hands you a beautiful fragrant glass of merlot, you don’t want to start finger counting to figure out how many appetizers will allow you 2 glasses of red wine…do you? Good because we’ve come up with this comprehensive guide so you know how many calories are in your favorite red wine!
[This is how you guarantee consuming thousands of empty calories in red wine!]
The good news is that the calories in red wine are fewer than calories in white wine, the bad news is not by much. White wine generally has more sugar than red wine, hence the additional calories. But the question isn’t always, red or white?, but rather, which red or which white?
Red Wine Options
Since there are some health benefits to drinking red wine it’s important to choose a red wine that isn’t high in calories. There are many different types of red wine, so even you white wine drinkers will be able to find a low calorie alternative. The calories in red wine will vary by wine type and manufacturer, so consider these safe averages per glass.
First things first, let’s talk about your standard glass of wine. When you drink wine you should consume no more than 4 ounces per glass, which is about 2 shot glasses (regular not double) of wine. But let’s be honest with ourselves and recognize that most of us drink glasses closer to 8 or 10 ounces.
90-Calorie Red Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Zinfandel
95-Calorie Red Wines
Beaujolais
Bordeaux
Burgundy
Rose
Merlot
100-Calorie (or More) Red Wines
Chianti
Ruby Port
Sangria
**Keep in mind that these calories are based on drinking 4 ounces per glass. If you’re a grape juice guzzler, double these portions and remember that number!
What’s So Good About Red Wine?
Unlike most alcohol, drinking red wine isn’t just a delicious way to wreck your diet. Numerous studies have shown the health benefits of red wine in decreasing risk of heart disease. In fact, a moderate consumption of red wine each day is also been known to boost the immune system. Red wine also produces a sense of calm, which allows us to make better decisions about our health and fitness.
Although red wine is actually good for the body in moderation, we must remember that it is still alcohol. Red wine does have a lower calorie count and less alcohol than other beverages like vodka or rum, but it is still an alcoholic beverage and it comes with the same side effects. Drinking alcohol (even red wine) increases your blood pressure, which may be problematic for my friends already suffering from hypertension.
Cooking with Red Wine
Now that you know how many calories are in red wine, you can find creative ways to use red wine without drinking a full glass. Red wine can be used to marinate a nice cut of beef or to give flavor depth to soups and sauces. It’s a great way to add flavor without a lot of salt, as long as you use it in moderation.
[A red wine reduction sauce lets you enjoy the flavor, but with a purpose. Cooking with red wine means saying "buh-bye" to those empty calories.]
Cooking with red wine will allow you to enjoy the flavors without consuming hundreds of empty calories. It’s always best to enjoy all alcoholic beverages in moderation, but because those red wine calories can add up quickly it’s best to know the calories in your favorite wine BEFORE you get to the party.
Red wine isn’t the only to way to stop stressing about your weight loss. Read our review of Brad Pilon’s Eat Stop Eat and see if you can’t find peace of mind in a new way to shed fat.