For those watching their waistlines or managing their carbohydrate intake, the combination of vodka and diet coke is a popular choice. This article provides a detailed look at the nutritional information, calorie content, and potential impacts of this combination.
Nutritional Information of Vodka
Vodka, in its pure form, contains very few calories and zero carbs, making it a seemingly guilt-free alcoholic beverage. It's also gluten-free. A single shot typically has less than 100 calories. Vodka may be a low-calorie alcoholic beverage to consider if you’re managing your calories or trying to stick to a low-calorie diet and want to consume alcohol. It also has 0 grams (g) of carbohydrates, making it the distilled spirit of choice for many people on low-carb diets.
Vodka only contains ethanol and water, so it has little nutritional value. All the calories come from the alcohol itself. Here are the nutrition facts for a 1.5-oz (42 g) serving of distilled vodka, 80 proof (40%):
- Calories: 97
- Sugar: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 g
- Vitamins: 0 g
- Minerals: 0 g
The calorie content of vodka and other alcoholic beverages can vary depending on how concentrated the alcohol is. The “proof” is a number that refers to the percent of alcohol in the liquor - the higher the proof, the more calories it contains (and the bigger effect on your blood alcohol content).
You can figure out the percent by dividing the proof in half. For example, 100 proof is 50% alcohol, while 80 proof is 40% alcohol. For a 1.5-oz (42 g) shot of vodka, the number of calories are as follows:
Read also: Understanding Vodka Tonic Calories
- 70 proof (35%): 85 calories
- 80 proof (40%): 97 calories
- 90 proof (45%): 110 calories
- 100 proof (50%): 124 calories
The calories in vodka come from the alcohol itself. Pure alcohol contains roughly 7 calories per gram. For reference, carbohydrates and protein both contain about 4 calories per gram, while fat contains about 9 calories per gram.
The calorie content of different brands of vodka with the same proof is generally the same. For instance, a 1.5-oz (42 g) serving of 40% Smirnoff, Grey Goose, and Absolut vodka each contain 97 calories.
Distilled spirits, like vodka, rum, whiskey, and gin, only contain alcohol, so they have zero carbs. This may seem odd since vodka is made from carb-rich foods like wheat and potatoes. However, the carbs are removed during the fermentation and distilling processes.
Diet Coke: Nutrition Facts
Diet Coke, as a diet soda, is designed to be low in calories and sugar. It primarily contains artificial sweeteners to provide a sweet taste without the added calories of regular soda.
Vodka and Diet Coke: A Calorie Comparison
When vodka is mixed with diet coke, the calorie count remains relatively low compared to other alcoholic beverages mixed with sugary sodas or juices.
Read also: Is Vodka Diet Coke Healthy?
A standard serving of vodka (1.5 oz or 42g) contains approximately 97 calories. Diet Coke contributes minimal calories, making the overall drink a lower-calorie option. In comparison, mixing vodka with regular cola can significantly increase the calorie count due to the high sugar content of the cola. For instance, a 12-oz (370 g) can of cola has 155 calories and 38.5 g of carbs, of which 36.8 g are added sugars.
El Torito Coke & Vodka: A Restaurant Example
A 1 Serving of El Torito coke & vodka, tito's contains 120 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 100% carbs, 0% fat, and 0% protein.
Amount Unit For 1 Serving of El Torito coke & vodka, tito's NutrientValue%DVCalories120Fats0g 0%Saturated fats0g 0%Trans fats0g Cholesterol0mg 0%Sodium10mg 0.4%Carbs10g 4%Net carbs10g Fiber0g 0%Sugar10g Protein0g
Potential Impacts on Weight Management
If you’re on a weight loss journey, vodka may seem like an appropriate alcoholic beverage. However, it’s important to note that it may impact weight management in several ways.
Alcohol, including vodka, interferes with the body’s fat-burning process. Normally, the liver metabolizes (breaks down) fats. When alcohol is present, however, the liver breaks it down first and uses it for energy. This stops fat metabolism, which may lead to an accumulation of fat in the liver and elsewhere.
Read also: Mixing Vodka and Diet Coke
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.
Alcohol is also considered “empty calories” because they don’t provide any nutritional value. Research suggests that drinking alcohol typically adds to a person’s daily calorie intake, which may contribute to weight gain. Alcohol may also increase your appetite and reduce feelings of fullness. More often than not, this leads to eating foods high in fats and carbs, which can quickly increase total calories.
Considerations for a Healthier Choice
While vodka and diet coke is a lower-calorie option compared to many other mixed drinks, moderation is key. Here are some tips for making it an even healthier choice:
- Limit Consumption: Be mindful of the amount of alcohol you consume. Alcoholic beverages, like many other drinks, contain calories that can add up quickly. Going out for a couple of drinks can add 500 calories, or more, to your daily intake.
- Choose Lower Sugar Mixers: Besides diet soda, consider mixing vodka with soda water and a squeeze of lemon or lime, diluted cranberry juice, or iced tea.
- Avoid Sugary Additions: Be cautious of added sugars in mixers. Added sugars are associated with chronic health conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water alongside your vodka and diet coke to stay hydrated and help your body process the alcohol.
Infused Vodkas: An Alternative
Flavor-infused vodkas can make for a more delicious experience and also eliminate the need for high-calorie mixers like sodas or fruit juices. Vodka can be infused with the natural or artificial flavor of just about anything. Lemon, berry, coconut, watermelon, cucumber, vanilla, and cinnamon are popular options. More exotic infusions include bacon, whipped cream, ginger, mango, and smoked salmon.
Many infused versions don’t contain more calories than plain vodka. However, it’s important 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 more calories and carbs than infused vodka.
Always read the labels carefully.
Responsible Consumption
If you drink alcohol, the NIAAA recommends moderate drinking, which is:
- Males: Two alcoholic beverages or less daily.
- Females: One alcoholic beverage or less daily.
That said, it’s important to note that drinking alcohol every day, even moderately, may have several impacts on your physical and mental well-being. If you find you are having trouble cutting back on alcohol, talk with your health care provider.
Quick Answers:
- How many calories are in a 25 mL shot of vodka? A 25 mL shot of vodka (40%) has just under 55 calories.
- Is vodka the lowest calorie alcohol? Vodka and other distilled spirits like whiskey, rum, gin, and tequila are considered the lowest calorie alcohols.
- Is four shots of vodka a day too much? Four shots of vodka a day exceeds the recommended limits for moderate drinking and may have negative health impacts.