Popular cocktail that contains more calories than a Big Mac

The silly season is in full swing, before you go hard at the Christmas party, a dietitian has warned against one alcoholic drink.

The average Aussie consumes an extra 500 calories a day, which equates to about 0.5kg of weight gain after four days, during the silly season.

Aside from Christmas Day, when people indulge way above our recommended calorie intake, eating around 6000 calories – one of the worst culprits for enjoying the festivities is the office party.

The average office party attendee will consume 4941 calories at the work ‘do, research published last year found.

Generally, the recommended daily calorie intake is 2000 calories a day for women and 2500 for men.

But if you’re looking to make healthier choices while still enjoying yourself, UK-based dietitian Terri-Ann Nunns said there are ways you can still indulge while keeping your calorie count in check.

“Some really simple swaps can be made to ensure that calorie intake is reduced without putting a dampener on your festive spirits,” she told The Sun.

Here are her top six alcohol swaps that can help you enjoy the festivities completely guilt-free.

A Long Island iced tea cocktail contains more calories than a Big Mac. Picture: iStock

The cocktail can have as much as 770 calories while the Macca’s menu-item has 564. Picture: Supplied

Replace Long Island iced tea for a Bloody Mary

Many of us love a cocktail during a special occasion – but there’s one popular beverage that will leave you shocked by its calorie content.

The Long Island iced tea contains as whopping number of calories, varying between 355 to 770 calories dependant on ingredients used.

“Not taking into account the potential of a looming hangover, the calorie content of this drink is more than a cheeseburger from McDonald’s,” Nunns said.

“If you want to go for a healthier cocktail, choosing something like a Bloody Mary would mean you would consume much fewer calories and you could even hit two of your five a day (servings of vegetables) if you’re having 150ml tomato juice and if you eat the celery stick afterwards.”

A Long Island iced tea can even have more calories than a Big Mac, which has around 564 calories according to the McDonald’s Australia website.

Forget drinking pints and instead go for a bottle of beer. Picture: iStock

Swap a pint of beer for a bottle of beer

It’s not the standard measurement for a draft beer, but more pubs and bars in Australia are now serving pints, and it could affect your waistline during the festivities when we’re consuming more than normal.

But there’s a pretty simple solution. A pint of lager has 210 calories, where as a bottle has 140.

“The term ‘beer belly’ doesn’t exist without reason. Beer can be a big contributor to weight gain,” Nunns said.

You could also swap that pint for a schooner, which has around the same nutritional value as a bottle of beer.

Swap gin and tonic for gin and slimline tonic

Switching to a slimline tonic with your gin will save 40 calories. Picture: iStock

Changing your mixer to a sugar-free alternative will cut the calories down dramatically.

A regular gin and tonic is 100 calories, and a slimline tonic just 60.

“If you are trying to manage your weight, this is a really easy swap to make and the taste is virtually the same.”

Swap a large glass of wine for prosecco

Celebrating with bubbles rather than a large glass of wine will reduce the calories dramatically.

“A large glass of wine contains 220 calories whereas a glass of prosecco has just 85 calories,” Nunns said.

“You often find that the sugar content can be lower in prosecco which, again, gives it the edge when it comes to calories.

“A glass of prosecco will provide you with 1.5 units of alcohol whereas a large glass of wine is likely to be around three units.”

As if we needed an excuse to sip on a glass of fizz. Picture: iStock

Swap dessert wine for a glass of sherry

It’s an acquired taste, but during those YOLO moments, some of us will enjoy a dessert wine – but it comes to about 118 calories.

A glass of sherry contains just 60 and tastes similar, Nunns revealed.

Swap whiskey for vodka

A single shot of whiskey, which is equal to a 25ml measure, is about 64 calories.

For a healthier swap, choose vodka served as a single measure. One 25ml pour is about 50 calories.

“A double measure with a sweet mixer like Coke is around 170 calories a pop, which is more than a schooner of beer,” experts at Glamour Magazine said.

“So opt for single shots and mix with low-cal soda and fresh lime instead.”