Heart Smart Minute
The key to the Heart Smart Minute is everything in moderation!
So when Friday night Happy Hour rolls around you aren’t feeling left out while your friends and co-workers hit the local bar. There’s nothing wrong with a few drinks per week as part of your Heart Smart Minute plan, but remember all drinks are not created equal–check out this list of popular drinks and the calories that go with it, then make the best choice that will leave you feeling Heart Smart the next day.
Best Heart Smart Minute Choice: WINE (100cal per 5oz serving)
- Chardonnay 100cal, 2g carbs
- Pinot Grigio 100cal, 2g carbs
- Zinfandel White 100cal, 2g carbs
- Cabernet Sauvignon 100cal, 4g carbs
- Merlot Red 100cal, 4g carbs
Second Heart Smart Minute Choice: Liquor (64-119cal per 1.5oz serving)
- Vermouth 64cal, 0.4g carbs
- Coconut Rum 77cal, 8g carbs
- Beefeater Gin 98cal, 0g carbs
- Rye Whiskey 104cal, 0g carbs
- Scotch Whiskey 104cal, 0g carbs
- White Rum 104cal, 0g carbs
- Vodka 104cal, 0g carbs
- Cognac 104cal, 3g carbs
- Tequila 104cal, 8g carbs
- Gilbey’s Gin 119cal, 0g carbs
Third Heart Smart Minute Choice: Beer (appox 150cal per 12oz serving)
Choose Light Beer whenever possible which decreases the calories and carbs per 12oz serving
- Light Beer appox 100cal, 6g carbs
- Draft Beer appox 145cal, 13g carbs
- Lager appox 170cal, 13g carbs
- Ale appox 215cal, 13g carbs
If you budget your calories responsibly and keep to your Heart Smart Minute plan, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy a night out with friends. Remember, most hard liquor drinks are mixed with soda which adds calories quickly. If mixing drinks, avoid sugary mixes and use club or diet soda. If I had to pick the #1 Heart Smart Minute drink, I’d pick Red Wine–from a health stand point the antioxidant value puts it in first place.
