Liquid calories in most forms such as alcohol, juice, coffee drinks or soda are sneaky calories. They are easy to intake quickly and pack a lot of sugar in your diet. Scientific evidence confirms that although such liquids count as calories, the body doesn’t detect them the same way as it would detect solid food.
When people eat calories in the form of solid food, they naturally compensate by reducing the rest of their food intake. But when people ingest liquid calories, they don’t compensate for them by eating fewer calories, studies show.
Many people enjoy the jolt from the morning “cup of joe” but can add extra calories in the form of fat and sugar by choosing “fancy” coffee drinks. Be careful of processed creamers and added sugars (agave, honey, brown sugar). Here is an article by Beth Lipton, listing “The 10 coffee drinks worse than a candy bar.” One example is, Starbucks Eggnog Latte 380 calories, 18 g fat (11 saturated), 38 g sugar in a Tall.
Nutrition Action has a concise chart of the calories in your favorite cocktails.
If you are watching your weight, alcohol calories can add up quickly. An average beer will have about 150 calories. Your body does not convert alcohol to sugar/energy for the body, but it does convert alcohol sugar to fat. Spirits do not contain carbohydrate, but beer and wine do to different degrees. Click here to view the amount of carbs per serving of typical drinks.
About the Author: Patti Miller, RD
Patti Miller is a Registered Dietitian having completed her B.S. in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics as well as a dietetic internship. Patti’s professional background includes clinical nutrition support within hospitals and inpatient facilities as well as outpatient counseling and home care visits. Patti has worked as a consultant for BaySport providing one-on-one counseling. She has consulted with private fitness clients and provided nutritional assessments for a healthy, ready-to-cook meal preparation service. She belongs to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and California Dietetics Association. Patti enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two sons and enjoys weight training, golf, games and travel.
