Vodka Nutrition Facts
If you're trying to improve your diet, you're probably trying to reduce the calories you consume from alcohol. Many people find that they lose weight when they drink less. But some dieters believe that vodka calories are better for you than other booze calories. The fact is, however, calories in flavored vodka and regular vodka can add up just as quickly as the calories in wine and beer if you're not careful. But sticking to your diet doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun! Vodka is one of the lowest-calorie alcoholic beverages overall and has zero carbs, which is why it’s a liquor of choice for dieters, especially those on a low-carb diet like the Paleo or Atkin’s diet. You’ll just need to watch out for sugary mixers, late-night snacks, and drink only in moderation to protect your overall health. If you wish to learn more about vodka nutrition facts, check all the information you need to know below. It includes the nutrition value, benefits, and adverse effects.
Vodka Nutrition Facts: What Does It Contain?
The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for one shot of 80 proof vodka (1.5 fluid ounces, or 42g).
Calories: 97
Fat: 0g
Sodium: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 0g
Fibre: 0g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 0g
Vodka Nutrition Facts: Empty Calories
Vodka contains nothing other than ethanol and water. This means that vodka has pretty much no nutritional value. There is no sugar, carbs, fibre, cholesterol, fat, sodium, vitamins, or minerals in vodka. All the calories come from the alcohol itself. Alcohol is not a carbohydrate. The calories in vodka come only from the alcohol itself. Pure alcohol contains roughly 7 calories per gram. For reference, carbs and protein both contain about 4 calories per gram, while fat contains about 9 calories per gram. This means that alcohol is nearly twice as fattening as carbohydrates or protein and only slightly less fattening than fat. The calorie content is generally the same between different brands of vodka that are that same proof. Kettle One, Smirnoff, Grey Goose, Skyy, and Absolut vodka, for example, are all 80 proof vodkas and each contains 96 calories per 1.5-ounce shot or 69 calories per ounce.
Vodka Nutrition Facts: Health Benefits
Some drinkers enjoy the taste and the effects of drinking vodka and prefer clear alcohol over other alcohol such as beer, wine, or dark liquors. Some low-carb dieters prefer vodka because it provides no sugar or carbs, as long as you drink it without a sugary mixer. Most varieties of wine and beer come with carbs and some sugar, so in that matter vodka might look like a better and healthier choice. Other drinkers believe that vodka is better for you because this light-colored liquor is less likely to induce a hangover. But whether or not you get a hangover has much more to do with how much you drink rather than what kind of alcohol you drink. In conclusion, there is no actual "better" alcohol. Alcoholic drinks provide no nutritional value and very few health benefits, such as those in red wine, but it's not recommended to start drinking just for these benefits. However, if you choose to drink, enjoy the variety you like in moderation.
Vodka Nutrition Facts: Adverse Effects
Alcohol, including vodka, interferes with our body’s fat-burning process. Normally, our liver metabolizes (breaks down) fats. When alcohol is present, however, your liver prefers to break it down first. Fat metabolism comes to a screeching halt while your body uses the alcohol for energy. This is referred to as “fat sparing,” and it isn’t good for someone trying to lose weight. While a single shot of vodka may not seem like a huge deal at under 100 calories, most of us don’t just stop at one drink. Consuming just 3 vodka drinks adds 300 calories to your intake for the day. That’s about the same as a McDonald’s cheeseburger. Alcohol also makes us lose our inhibitions, messes with our hormones (adrenaline and cortisol), and increases our cravings for high-fat, high-carb foods. This makes it even harder to say no to a late-night trip to Taco Bell. Vodka may be a good choice relative to other types of alcohol like beer or sugary cocktails, but if you’re watching your weight, you should treat vodka like you would a piece of a cake or a cookie and save it for a special occasion.
Vodka Nutrition Facts: Varieties
Flavor-infused vodkas can make for a more delicious experience and may also eliminate the need for high-calorie mixers like cranberry or orange juice. Nowadays, you can find vodka infused with the natural or artificial flavor of just about anything. Lemon, berry, coconut, watermelon, cucumber, vanilla, and cinnamon are popular options. There are also more exotic infusions including bacon, whipped cream, ginger, mango, and even smoked salmon. The best part is that most of the infused versions don’t contain any extra calories other than plain vodka! Be careful not to confuse flavor-infused vodka with vodka drinks made with flavored sugary syrups that are added after the fermentation and distilling process. These products often contain many more calories than an infused vodka. Always read the labels carefully. If you can’t find nutrition information on the product label, try searching the manufacturer’s website.
Vodka Nutrition Facts: Preparing It
Vodka by itself has pretty much no taste other than the burning alcohol flavor that a lot of people find unpleasant. So many drinkers choose to mix vodka with sweet juices or sodas to help with the taste. But the high sugar content of many of these mixers can wreak havoc on your diet. A cup of orange juice, for example, contains 112 calories, and regular soda has over 140 calories per can. Most of those calories come from sugar.
Instead of sugary liquids, keep your drink low-calorie and low-carb by mixing your vodka with one of the following:
lower sugar sodas
soda water or club soda with a squeeze of lemon or lime
diluted cranberry juice or lemonade
iced tea
club soda, mint leaves, and a no-calorie sweetener (like stevia)
