Drinks = Liquid Candy
Alcohol and sweetened coffee drinks are mostly sugar. We call them liquid candy because they raise blood sugar levels just as quickly as candy does. These drinks are usually large, so their calories add up fast.
If you are following a meal plan, try to avoid alcohol and caloric coffee drinks. If you DO have them, count them as grains (and, sometimes, fats and dairy as well: see chart) and subtract whatever you consume in alcohol or coffee from your daily exchanges. The table shows the calories, serving size, exchange value (the amount to be subtracted from your daily exchange), and, just for fun, the candy equivalent.
As you can see, these drinks are all expensive exchanges! Water, diet juice or soda, and decaf tea or coffee without sugar (adding milk or even a little half and half is fine) are all better choices. They keep you hydrated without adding calories.
| Alcoholic Drinks | Grain Exchanges | Serving Size (in ounces) | Calories | Candy Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hard liquor: rum, vodka, whisky | 1 | 1 | 70 | 3 marshmallows |
Wine | 1 | 3 | 75 | 3 marshmallows |
Light beer | 1 | 12 | 100 | 5 marshmallows |
Bloody Mary | 11/2 | 5 | 125 | 6 marshmallows |
Dessert wine (sherry, port, other fortified wines) | 11/2 | 3 | 125 | 6 marshmallows |
Beer | 2 | 12 | 150 | 7 marshmallows |
Soda (all regular varieties) | 2 | 12 | 150 | 7 marshmallows |
Gin and tonic | 2 | 8 | 175 | 8 marshmallows |
Rum and coke | 2 | 8 | 182 | 8 marshmallows |
Martini | 21/2 | 3 | 195 | 9 marshmallows |
Malt beverage or wine cooler | 3 | 12 | 220 | 10 marshmallows |
Daiquiri | 3 | 4 | 226 | 10 marshmallows |
Long Island iced tea | 3 | 8 | 228 | 10 marshmallows |
Margarita | 7 | 8 | 542 | 28 marshmallows |
| Coffee Drinks | Grain, Dairy and Fat Exchanges | Serving Size (in ounces) | Calories | Candy Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Starbuck's® Caramel Macchiato, with skim milk | 1 grain, 1 dairy | 16 | 190 | 2 fun size Mars bars |
Dunkin Donuts Coffee Coolatta® | 3 grains | 16 | 230 | 41 jelly beans |
Starbuck's® Mocha Frappuccino | 3 grains | 16 | 290 | 5 Tootsie Pops® |
Au Bon Pain® Frozen Mocha Blast | 3 grains, 1 dairy | 16 | 320 | 10 caramels |
Dunkin Donuts Vanilla Bean Coolatta® | 4 grains, 3 fats | 16 | 440 | 125 plain M&Ms® |
** Note: Links preceded by two asterisks are for My Health Advisor clients only. You must log in to view these pages.
© 2003 Nutrition & Fitness Advisors | 617-240-4772 | Terms and Conditions of Use