Amber-colored beers and snack food on an outdoor table.
NUTRITION
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Centr Team

Booze & Food: How does your drink of choice stack up?

Centr Team

While we might regularly stop to reconsider a second slice of pizza or pudding, when the refreshing drinks are flowing, how many of us stop to consider whether what we’re putting into our bodies is packing something more than just water?

Like the food we eat, the alcohol we drink delivers energy to our bodies (just not the kind that will help you smash a workout.) And you know what happens to the energy you put in and don’t use up? It can turn to fat. We’re not trying to wine-shame you, but we know how easy it can be to say yes to one glass, then another, and then we may as well have eaten an entire cake (note: we do NOT recommend this.)

So to help you keep track of all the liquid calories you’re taking in when having a drink, we’re making the comparison clear and easy to understand by stacking some of your favorite alcoholic beverages side by side with some common foods (and a few Centr recipes.)

Remember, when it comes to alcohol and your fitness goals, it’s not only about the excess calories you’re taking in. Studies have shown that alcohol can inhibit protein synthesis, which builds muscle mass, and lower your metabolism, reducing your body’s ability to burn fat. There’s ongoing research about the negative impact it can have on testosterone levels, too.

So how does your drink of choice measure up?

Keep these comparisons in mind when you’re ordering another round or topping up your glass. Because knowing what you’re putting into your body is a big step towards taking control of your health and fitness results.

A glass of light beer contains roughly the same amount of calories as a handful of chips with salsa.
1
/10

Light beer

A 9.5 fl oz / 285ml pot
That’s around the same as a large handful of corn chips and 2 tablespoons of tomato salsa. So, if you’re having a beer while eating nachos with guac and extra cheese, well, you do the math!

A bottle of regular lager contains roughly the same amount of calories as a handful of almonds.
2
/10

Regular Lager

A 12.5 fl oz / 375ml bottle
What goes with beer? Nuts! And what’s a bottle of lager beer equivalent to? About one handful of roasted almonds.

A neat whisky contains roughly the same amount of calories as a piece of celery with 1/2 a teaspoon of peanut butter.
3
/10

Whiskey (neat)

A 1.5 fl oz / 45 ml shot
A serious drink, in a snack-sized portion. Your shot of whiskey adds up to 1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter with 2 celery sticks – although whiskey isn’t advised as a post-workout snack.

A glass of red or white wine contains roughly the same amount of calories as a slice of toast with 1/4 of an avocado.
4
/10

Red or white wine

A standard 5 fl oz / 150ml glass
‘Why don’t we just order a bottle?’ A glass each adds up to a brunch-worthy thin slice of wholegrain toast with 1/4 of a small avocado.

A bourbon & cola mixed drink contains roughly the same amount of calories as Centr's Japanese Glazed Meatballs (185 calories).
5
/10

Bourbon & cola

A 1.5 fl / 45ml shot with 8.5 fl oz / 255ml of cola
Sure, it varies depending on whether it’s a pre-mixed can or one you prepare yourself, but that bourbon and cola combo is delivering around the same energy as one serve of our Japanese Glazed Chicken Meatballs.

A can of dark beer (stout) contains roughly the same amount of calories as Centr's Cheesy Zucchini Muffins (145 calories).
6
/10

Dark beer (stout)

A 12 fl oz / 354ml can
An old-school can of stout packs the same punch as one of our Cheesy Zucchini Muffins.

A glass of alcoholic eggnog contains roughly the same amount of calories as one of Centr's Choc Peanut Bliss Balls (146 calories).
7
/10

Spiked eggnog

A 6.8 fl oz / 200ml glass
Christmas celebration or just really like dairy-based beverages? It’s not so much a smoothie as taking in the equivalent of a Choc Peanut Bliss Ball.

An espresso martini cocktail contains roughly the same amount of calories as a few scoops of hummus with pita bread.
8
/10

Espresso martini

A 3.4 fl oz / 100ml glass
For those who like their cocktails with a coffee boost, your espresso martini is like snacking on a serve of Lemon & Thyme Baked Hummus with Olives & Pita (plus that caffeine kick you don’t get from hummus.)

A vodka tonic mixed drink contains roughly the same amount of calories as a piece of Centr's Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark (163 calories).
9
/10

Vodka tonic

A 1 fl oz / 30ml shot with 9.3 fl oz / 275ml of tonic water
Two things you’re most likely to find on a list of vices: alcohol and chocolate! To put a vodka tonic in context for you, you’re looking at one serving of delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark.

A pina colada cocktail contains roughly the same amount of calories as half of Centr's Grilled Pumpkin, Mozzarella & Marjoram Pizza (400 calories).
10
/10

Pina Colada

A 8.5 fl oz / 250ml glass
So you like pina coladas? Well, we hope you also like our Grilled Pumpkin, Mozzarella & Marjoram Pizza – because that sweet cocktail delivers the same amount of energy straight to your door.

Look, we’re not party poopers – we wouldn’t try to stop you from splurging on a cocktail or having a few beers with your friends. Just enjoy yourself mindfully and drink responsibly. An easy tip to help you not go overboard? Alternate between your booze of choice and sparkling water.

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