What to drink when on a diet? - Food & Wine Pairings

Do you have to give up happy hours and get-togethers with friends when you’re on a diet? No! Here’s how to balance socializing with counting calories (because let’s be honest, there’s bound to be a few)!

Even though we always tell ourselves, “Nobody’s perfect,” and even though we try not to get overwhelmed by all those photos of photoshopped beauties, many of us tend to be on a diet all the time. But that’s no reason to stop having drinks with friends! With a little self-control and moderation, anything is possible!

81 calories per 100 ml of Champagne

With just 81 calories per 100 ml (a full flute contains 125 ml), Champagne takes the prize as the lowest-calorie wine—and that’s just fine with us! No more frustration, and your diet will thank you! Be careful, though, not to overindulge in all the appetizer crackers and canapés that often come with it, so you don’t let the calorie count get too high!

84 calories per 100 ml of dry white wine

This is often the wine consumers think of when they talk about white wine… It’s a sugar-free wine that’s very delicate to produce and contains 84 calories per 100 ml. Perfect for your diet!

In practical terms, a dry white wine is generally very aromatic and crisp on the palate. There are some excellent dry white wines out there, particularly Muscadet, which pairs perfectly with oysters and seafood platters—and that’s a winner, because when it comes to lightness and subtlety, it’s the perfect match! Your diet will thank you!

87 calories per 100 ml of rosé wine

With 87 calories per 100 ml, rosé is right up there with dry white wine, and honestly, with its beautiful color that reminds us of summer and vacations all year round, a small glass of rosé on the patio (even a heated one) for an aperitif is just the thing!

What about red wine on my diet?

Oh, red wine isn't far behind its white and rosé counterparts… with 89.5 calories per glass…

Our advice: choose the wine you like best, the one you’re craving… because frustration is never good when you’re on a diet; but save this treat for one time a week. And if possible, have your glass of wine at lunchtime so your body can absorb it better!