Quick Answer
A 16 oz can of Bud Light Chelada contains 188 calories.
Calories and Nutrition Facts
Bud Light Chelada is a michelada-style beer made by Anheuser-Busch. It consists of Bud Light beer blended with tomato juice, salt, lime juice and spices.
Here are the nutrition facts for a 16 oz can of Bud Light Chelada:
| Nutrition Facts | 16 oz |
|---|---|
| Calories | 188 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 636 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 16 g |
| Sugars | 12 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
As you can see, a 16 oz can of Bud Light Chelada contains 188 calories, with most of those calories coming from carbohydrates. It also contains a significant amount of sodium at 636 mg per can.
Calorie and Nutrition Comparison to Regular Bud Light
Compared to regular Bud Light beer, the Chelada style has slightly more calories and carbohydrates:
| Nutrition Facts | Bud Light Chelada (16 oz) | Bud Light (12 oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 188 | 110 |
| Carbs | 16 g | 6.6 g |
| Sodium | 636 mg | 15 mg |
The tomato juice, lime juice and salt added to create the Chelada style result in higher carb, calorie and sodium levels compared to original Bud Light. However, the differences are moderate per serving.
Alcohol Content
Despite the additions, Bud Light Chelada has the same 4.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) as regular Bud Light beer.
A 16 oz can at 4.2% ABV contains 0.56 oz of pure alcohol.
Calories from Alcohol vs Carbs
Out of the 188 calories in a 16 oz Chelada:
– 36 calories come from alcohol (at 7 calories per gram of alcohol)
– 152 calories come from carbohydrates and protein (at 4 calories per gram)
So the majority of the calories in Bud Light Chelada come from carbs, not alcohol. The tomato juice and spices add more carbs and calories beyond what you’d get in a typical light beer.
Does Chelada Have More Calories Than Other Beers?
Compared to other major light beer brands, Bud Light Chelada has more calories than most:
| Beer Type (12 oz serving) | Calories |
|---|---|
| Bud Light Chelada | 188 |
| Coors Light | 102 |
| Miller Lite | 96 |
| Michelob Ultra | 95 |
| Bud Light | 110 |
Among popular light lagers, Bud Light Chelada provides the most calories per 12 oz serving. However, compared to fuller-bodied beer styles, it is still on the lower end for calories:
| Beer Type (12 oz serving) | Calories |
|---|---|
| Bud Light Chelada | 188 |
| Heineken | 142 |
| Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | 175 |
| Guinness Draught | 125 |
| Samuel Adams Boston Lager | 175 |
So while Bud Light Chelada exceeds most light beers in calories, it still ranks on the lower end compared to fuller-bodied ales and lagers. The tomato juice and spices add moderate calories versus a typical light beer.
Tips for Drinking Chelada on a Low Calorie Diet
Here are some tips if you’re watching your calorie intake but still want to enjoy Bud Light Chelada:
– Stick to the standard 16 oz can or bottle to control portions
– Treat it as an occasional beer, not your main go-to
– Balance it out by cutting calories elsewhere in your diet
– Drink it slowly and savor it; don’t gulp it down
– Add extra ice which dilutes the beer and decreases calories
– Share a can with a friend instead of drinking a full serving yourself
While Bud Light Chelada packs more calories than a typical light beer, it can still fit into a low calorie diet in moderation when balanced with other low calorie foods and drinks. Limiting your portions and frequency is key to controlling the calorie impact.
Comparing Bud Light Chelada Calories to Other Beverages
At 188 calories per 16 oz, Bud Light Chelada has a similar calorie count to these other drinks:
| Beverage (16 oz serving) | Calories |
|---|---|
| Bud Light Chelada | 188 |
| Coca-Cola | 200 |
| Gatorade | 130 |
| Red Bull Energy Drink | 192 |
| Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail | 210 |
| Naked Juice Green Machine Smoothie | 260 |
In terms of calorie density, Bud Light Chelada is similar to many regular sodas, juices, and energy drinks. It provides a moderate amount of calories per serving, though less than some sweetened beverages.
Making Bud Light Chelada More Low Calorie
If you really want to lighten up your Chelada, here are some tweaks you can make:
– Use Bud Light Next instead of regular Bud Light. It only has 80 calories per 12 oz.
– Add extra lime juice and increase the spice blend to balance out the beer flavor when using Bud Light Next.
– Mix the beer 50/50 with tomato juice instead of the 25/75 ratio used in standard Chelada. This cuts the carb and calorie impact of the juice in half.
– Use fresh tomato juice and squeeze lime juice yourself instead of using pre-made mixes. This avoids added sugars or preservatives.
– Add veggie juice like low sodium V8 instead of just tomato juice for more vegetable nutrients.
– Use hot sauce instead of salt for a spicy kick with less sodium.
– Blend in some avocado, cucumber or cilantro to add fiber, nutrients and flavor.
– Muddle in some fresh jalapeno or serrano peppers for spiciness with few calories.
– Use stevia instead of sugar to slightly sweeten the juice if desired.
With simple tweaks like these, you can create a lighter Chelada that still provides lots of bold, refreshing flavors with fewer calories than the standard recipe.
Should You Drink Chelada if Watching Calories?
Bud Light Chelada can be enjoyed occasionally as part of a calorie-controlled diet. The key factors are:
– Pay attention to portion sizes (stick to 12-16 oz servings)
– Balance it with lower calorie foods and beverages for other meals and snacks
– Make it fit your overall daily or weekly calorie goals
– Dilute it with extra ice or water to reduce the calorie density
– Adjust the recipe to make it lighter as suggested above
– Savor the flavor so you’re satisfied with less
While it does contain more calories than typical light beer, Chelada can still be incorporated into a low calorie diet in moderation. Making some adjustments to dilute and lighten it up helps reduce the calorie impact even further.
Conclusion
A 16 oz can of Bud Light Chelada contains about 188 calories, mainly from carbs, with a moderate amount of sodium. It has more calories than most light beers due to the tomato juice, but less than many full-bodied beers. Enjoying Chelada in moderation can fit into a low calorie diet when balanced properly with other foods and drinks. Making some simple tweaks to the recipe can further reduce the calories and lighten it up. Overall, Bud Light Chelada makes a tasty occasional indulgence as part of a calorie-conscious lifestyle.
