Aperitif. What are the least sweet and lowest calorie drinks?

Cocktails, sodas, rosés, beer… When the sun comes out again, and will last until you go on vacation this summer, it’s hard not to resist the call of aperitifs. However, not all options are created equal in terms of calorie intake. Where should you go if you want to limit your sugar and calorie intake?

Without alcohol

It ranks first on the lowest calorie podium without alcohol. And for good reason, alcoholic beverages contain so-called “empty” calories. Obviously, “they only provide energy (sugar) to sustain the body without otherwise benefiting from the interesting nutritional input,” says dietician, nutritionist Alexandra Murcier. Not to mention that they break saturation. They cause blood sugar levels (blood sugar levels) to rise. The result: feelings of hunger and new sugar cravings when levels return to normal.

Among the non-alcoholic options, you can drink sparkling water, certainly classic, but not very attractive (it should be avoided, however, if you are prone to hypertension or digestive problems such as bloating). You can also opt for homemade lemonade, flavored waters infused with aromatic herbs like basil or mint, or even red fruits. Homemade iced teas are also a great option. “You can add pieces of peach or lemon to give them more flavor,” comments the specialist. You can also use homemade juices. “To reduce sugar intake, the ideal is to mix two vegetables and fruits, for example, with apple-carrot-spinach juice. Vegetable fibers slow down the absorption of sugar by the body,” advises the nutritionist.

If you want to stick to traditional cocktails, but want to use them in their healthiest version, nothing prevents you from making them without alcohol. “Virgin mojito” consists of, for example, carbonated water, brown sugar, lime and mint. “When preparing it, it is ideal to add a smaller amount of sugar than indicated in the recipes,” says Alexandra Murcier.

What about alcoholic beverages?

As for alcohol, you should know that one glass of red wine contains about one hundred calories. Its white version has a slightly higher amount, but the difference is insignificant, says the nutritionist. “A liter of beer (50 cl) is twice as caloric as a glass of red wine,” adds Alexandra Murcier. In detail, a liter of white beer contains 20 grams of sugar, compared to 25 for the blonde version and 35 for brown. “In general, the higher the alcohol content of beer, the sweeter it will be,” says the nutritionist. The last element to consider. fizzy drinks contain gas and can cause bloating.

Cocktails are the sweetest and most caloric beverages, either because juices or sodas are mixed with alcohol, or because two or three spirits are mixed in, which doubles or even triples energy intake. “For example, a spritz contains Aperol and Prosecco,” explains the expert, “which is therefore actually equivalent to two glasses of alcohol.” It is good to know that it is recommended not to exceed two cups a day, and not every day, according to the official recommendations of Public Health France.