Is gin and soda fattening?

Quick Answer

Gin and soda by itself is not inherently fattening. The calories in a typical gin and soda come mostly from the alcohol in the gin. However, what you mix with the gin and soda can impact the calorie count. Tonic water or fruit juices will add more calories than soda water. The carbonation in soda water has no calories. Ultimately, consuming gin and sodas in moderation is key. Excess calories from alcohol and mixers can lead to weight gain over time.

Calories in Gin and Soda

A standard gin and soda made with 1.5 ounces of gin and 5 ounces of soda water has approximately 124 calories (1, 2).

This calorie breakdown is:

– Gin: 97 calories
– Soda water: 0 calories
– Lime juice: 27 calories

So the majority of calories come from the alcohol content of the gin itself.

In comparison, a gin and tonic made with tonic water instead of soda water has around 200 calories. The additional calories come from the sweeteners added to tonic water (3).

The calorie content can increase further if you add juices or purees to make cocktails like a Tom Collins (gin with lemon juice and simple syrup). Using light or diet options for mixers can reduce the calorie count.

Overall, gin and soda is one of the lowest calorie options for mixed drinks. But it still contains alcohol, which provides 7 calories per gram.

Factors That Impact Calories

Several factors impact the total calorie content of a gin and soda:

– Serving size – The calories will double if you drink a 3 ounce gin and soda versus a typical 1.5 ounce pour.

– Tonic water vs. soda water – Tonic water has added sugars and calories, while soda water provides pure carbonation without calories.

– Mixers – Juices, purees, and syrups add more calories than a squeeze of lime juice.

– Gin style – Some styles like sloe gin are sweetened, which adds more calories than a dry gin.

To keep the calorie content low, opt for a smaller serving size of dry gin mixed with soda water and light squeeze of citrus.

Weight Loss and Gin and Soda

Alcohol consumption in any form can impact weight loss efforts. Since alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, it provides nearly double the calories of carbs or protein (4 calories per gram each).

It’s easy to underestimate your calorie intake when drinking alcohol. Those “empty” liquid calories can add up quickly, especially if you have multiple drinks.

Some research indicates that alcohol consumption may also increase appetite and cravings for unhealthy foods (4). So drinking may cause you to eat more calories in addition to the liquid calories from the alcohol itself.

If you’re actively trying to lose weight through calorie restriction, limiting alcohol intake or avoiding it altogether can promote fat loss. Or you may need to account for the gin and soda calories within your daily calorie target if you still want to imbibe.

Moderation is key if you want to enjoy gin and soda without gaining weight. Stick to recommended limits of 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men (5). And be mindful of increased hunger cues and unhealthy food choices after drinking.

Low Calorie Gin and Soda Alternatives

Here are some ways to create a lower calorie gin and soda if you want to reduce the calories but still enjoy this refreshing drink:

– Use diet tonic water instead of regular tonic water. Diet tonic has zero calories compared to 150+ calories in 8 ounces of regular tonic water.

– Skip the simple syrup in cocktails. Or use just a splash of reduced sugar syrup.

– Use fresh juice from squeezed citrus instead of premixed juices. A squeeze of lemon or lime has minimal calories.

– Try infused sodas. For example, cucumber or mint with soda water has fresh flavor with no added calories.

– Mix in sparkling water for a spritzer. This cuts the Gin content in half.

– Opt for low-calorie mixers like tea, sparkling water, diet soda, or very light juices.

– Choose a gin with lower alcohol content. Some gins are around 70 proof compared to 90+ proof varieties.

With smart substitutions and portion control, you can still enjoy gin and soda without overindulging in calories.

Health Concerns

Like other alcoholic beverages, excessive gin and soda consumption can negatively impact your health:

– **Weight gain** – The extra calories in alcohol can cause weight gain, especially in the abdominal area. This visceral fat around the organs raises disease risk.

– **Liver damage** – Heavy drinking taxes your liver. Alcoholic liver disease includes fatty liver, hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

– **Diabetes** – Chronically high blood sugar can result from alcohol interfering with blood sugar regulation. This raises your risk for type 2 diabetes.

– **Heart disease** – Over time, heavy drinking weakens the heart muscle leading to cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias. High blood pressure is also linked to alcohol abuse.

– **Cancer** – Regular heavy drinking is associated with increased risks of liver, breast, colon, mouth, and esophageal cancers.

– **Immune system suppression** – Alcohol impacts the production of cytokines crucial for immune function. This raises your susceptibility to pneumonia and tuberculosis.

– **Mental health** – Alcohol acts as a depressive. Excessive drinking can worsen anxiety and depression.

To reduce health risks, it’s recommended to moderate your alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men (5). One drink is defined as 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of spirits.

Healthier Alcohol Choices

If you want to imbibe but reduce negative effects on health, some alcohol choices are healthier than others:

– **Red wine** – Provides antioxidants like resveratrol that can boost heart health when consumed moderately.

– **Tequila** – Made from the agave plant, 100% agave tequila has lower congeners thought to cause hangovers.

– **Vodka** – Has lower congeners than darker spirits like whiskey. Opt for unflavored varieties without added sugar.

– **Low alcohol beer and wine** – Provides less alcohol per serving for lower calorie options.

– **Organic and gluten-free** – Contains fewer chemical additives and sulfites.

– **Clear spirits** – Gin, rum, vodka and tequila tend to have fewer congeners than whiskey, bourbon or scotch.

Choosing top shelf, small batch, or locally crafted options can also reduce additives and sulfites that trigger headaches and hangovers.

Just keep in mind that drinking any alcoholic beverage should be done responsibly and in moderation.

Non-Alcoholic Alternatives

If you want to cut out alcohol entirely, you have great-tasting options to still enjoy a gin and soda style beverage:

– **Non-alcoholic gin** – Crafted to mimic flavors like juniper and citrus without alcohol content. Brands include Seedlip Grove 42 and Teetotaler Gin 0% ABV.

– **Hop waters** – Provides hoppy flavor reminiscent of IPAs but with no alcohol. Try Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher.

– **Kombucha** – Naturally effervescent probiotic tea that satisfies a craving for carbonation. Brands like Unity Vibration offer boozy flavor.

– **Cocktail bitters** – Add just a few dashes to soda water with citrus garnish for a flavorful zero-proof drink. Popular options are Angostura Orange Bitters or Scrappy’s Cardamom Bitters.

– **CBD seltzer** – Offers calming effects of cannabis-derived CBD with soda water and natural flavors. Brands include Recess and CBD Social.

– **Shrubs** – Sweetened vinegar syrups that can be diluted with soda water for a tangy mocktail. Enhance flavors with ginger beer, herbs and fruit.

– **Coffee cocktails** – Creamy shaken espresso drinks satisfy the after-dinner ritual without alcohol.

With creativity and an array of artisanal non-alcoholic beverages now available, you can craft flavorful zero-proof cocktails to enjoy anytime.

FAQs

Is gin and soda keto friendly?

Gin and soda can fit into a keto eating plan since gin itself does not contain carbs or sugar. Make sure to avoid sweetened tonic water or juice mixers to keep it keto-compliant. Opt for soda water with a squeeze of lime or lemon juice.

Does gin and soda have carbs?

There are minimal carbs in gin and soda. Standard gin has 0 grams of carbs, and soda water has 0 carbs. A squeeze of lemon or lime juice adds barely any carbs. But tonic water, juices and other sugary mixers will add carbs to the drink.

Is gin inflammatory?

There is some evidence that gin may contain anti-inflammatory compounds from botanicals used to flavor it, like juniper and citrus. However, excessive alcohol intake can promote inflammation throughout the body and worsen inflammatory conditions. Moderation is key.

Is gin healthier than vodka?

Gin and vodka have similar calorie content per serving. Gin may contain useful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds from juniper, citrus and botanicals. However, excessive consumption of any alcohol carries health risks. For healthiest options, limit intake to 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men.

Does gin raise blood sugar?

Alcohol can interfere with blood sugar regulation and insulin secretion. This means drinking gin can potentially cause spikes and dips in blood sugar, especially for people with diabetes or prediabetes. Limiting intake to moderate levels can help avoid blood sugar fluctuations.

The Bottom Line

Gin and soda is one of the lowest calorie mixed drinks you can order at a bar or make at home. The calories come primarily from the gin itself. What matters most is the total amount of gin you consume. Enjoying gin and sodas in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet is unlikely to lead to weight gain or adversely impact health for most people. Just be mindful of calories from additional mixers and increased appetite cues after drinking. Limit intake to 1-2 standard drinks per day and choose low calorie mixers to keep your gin and soda slender.

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