Let’s be honest… When it comes to improving your health or losing weight, alcohol isn’t exactly your best friend. It’s empty calories, it can lower your inhibitions around food, and it can disrupt sleep and recovery.
But here at AdMac Fitness, we’re also realistic. Lots of people enjoy a drink now and again, and if it’s something you want to include in your life, it’s better to make smart choices than pretend you’ll never touch a drop.
Here’s how to make alcohol fit more sensibly into a healthy lifestyle, and some better options to choose if you must drink…
Smarter Choices at the Bar
If you’re going to drink, aim for drinks that are lower in calories, sugar, and alcohol content. Here are some options we recommend:
Gin and Slimline Tonic
A classic for a reason. Gin with a slimline (diet) tonic is refreshing, light, and much lower in calories than most cocktails or beers.
Vodka with a Diet Mixer
Vodka with soda water, diet lemonade or diet cola keeps calories down while still giving you something to sip on. Avoid full-sugar mixers — they’re where the calories really rack up.
Dry Wines
Drier wines tend to have less sugar and fewer calories than sweet or dessert wines. A glass of dry white, red or even prosecco can be a reasonable choice if you’re drinking mindfully.
Guinness
Surprise! Despite its rich, creamy taste, Guinness is actually lower in calories than you might expect compared to most beers. At around 125 calories per half pint, it’s a better pick than a heavy lager.
Heineken
If you’re after a more mainstream beer, Heineken is on the lower side calorie-wise, especially compared to higher-alcohol craft beers.
What to Avoid at the bar
Some drinks are particularly unhelpful if you’re watching your health or weight. Try to steer clear of:
High-alcohol craft beers – often stronger, heavier, and packed with calories.
Sweet ciders – loaded with sugar and very calorific.
Alcopops – essentially fizzy sugar water with alcohol.
Sweet wines & liqueurs – dessert wines and creamy liqueurs are very high in sugar.
Keep It Sensible
Whatever you drink, moderation is key. Stick to recommended limits, drink plenty of water, and try to avoid the late-night kebabs and fry-ups that tend to follow a heavy session.
The goal isn’t to be perfect — it’s to make better choices most of the time so you can enjoy life and still move towards your goals.
If you’d like help balancing your fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle in a way that works for you, our personal trainers are here to guide you every step of the way.
Want to improve your health and fitness? Let the AdMac Fitness Personal Trainers help…
AdMac Fitness has been helping the people of East London transform their health and fitness for nearly a decade.
We help people using tried and tested fitness approaches. Our expert team of personal trainers, based in both Bow and South Woodford can help you get a grip of your health forever. With our guidance and experience, you can relax knowing that your fitness journey is going to be guided by some of the best personal trainers in East London.
For more information on who we are, what we do and how we can help you achieve your health and fitness goals, contact us on… 07921465108 or email us at admacfitness@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Our locations are…
AdMac Fitness: Arch 457 Robeson St, London E3 4JA
AdMac Fitness South Woodford: Unit 4 Marlborough Business Centre, 96 George Lane, South Woodford, London, E18 1AD