Is it Possible to Drink Wine While Dieting?

Spring and sunny days are just around the corner, so you’re starting a diet and are probably on a calorie-counting mission! Of course, when it comes to dieting, the best approach is to cut out any calories you can do without: so avoid wine and other alcoholic beverages.

80 calories per 100 ml of Champagne

Sparkling wines and champagnes are the lowest-calorie wines, so if you want to cut back on calories, these are your best bet. With just 80 calories per 100 ml (a full flute contains 125 ml), Champagne takes the crown as the lowest-calorie wine! And that’s good news, because with wedding season approaching, you can treat yourself to champagne, crémant, and sparkling wine (in moderation) without feeling too guilty. However, as with any alcohol, be careful not to overindulge, and also watch out for the savory or sweet pastries that accompany these festive occasions. They’ll only add to the calorie count!

86 calories per 100 ml of dry white wine

Dry white wine is a sugar-free wine that contains about 86 calories per 100 ml. It is often the type of wine consumers refer to when they talk about white wine. There are some excellent examples from Burgundy, the Loire Valley, Alsace, and Savoie. These include Muscadets, Pouilly, Sancerre, Vouvray, and dry Bergerac, among others… In practical terms, a dry white wine is very aromatic and lively on the palate. It pairs wonderfully with a basket of oysters, a platter of raw vegetables, shellfish, fish, or poultry. Perfect for lightness and a healthy lifestyle—and therefore perfect for your diet!

86 calories per 100 ml of rosé wine

Good news for fans of summer rosé: there are 86 calories per 100 ml of rosé wine—the same as dry white wine. A symbol of sunny vacations, lazy weekends by the pool, or after-work drinks on a terrace, rosé wine can therefore be one of the lucky few allowed in your diet (always in moderation)! Once again, watch out for the chips or peanuts that often accompany that glass of rosé!

What about red wine, sweet white wine, or naturally sweet wines?

Red wines contain 89 calories, 100 calories per 100 ml of sweet white wine such as Monbazillac or Sauternes, and 150 calories per 100 ml of Muscat or Banyuls. Clearly, sweet white wines or naturally sweet wines are not the best choice if you’re on a diet! Or, if you do give in to temptation, be very careful about how much you drink and add an extra lap to your next run!

My advice: Even though counting calories isn’t recommended when dieting, it’s still a habit many people who are watching their weight have picked up, especially as swimsuit season approaches. Now that you know how many calories are in each type of wine, focus on the amount you drink and how often you drink it. Don’t forget to exercise regularly and watch what you eat. And one last tip: avoid depriving yourself, because frustration is never good when you’re on a diet!