These Are The Best Wines To Drink If You’re Trying To Lose Weight

Some research even shows that consuming alcohol in moderation can reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and even death.

Health perks aside, if you’re trying to lose weight, sipping any kind of booze can squash your weight-loss plans if you overdo it (more on that later).

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But it turns out that you can have your glass and reach your goals, too, says Tanya Zuckerbrot, R.D., creator of the F-Factor Diet.

As you might have guessed, she says the key is moderation.

The FDA’s recommended alcohol consumption for women is up to one glass (or five ounces) per day. Five ounces of wine ranges from about 80 calories to 120 calories, depending on the type and the region it’s grown in. Fun fact: That’s lower than the cals in an ounce of dark chocolate. So a glass (or maybe even two) shouldn’t cause you to veer too far from your goals. (Speed up your progress towards your weight-loss goals with Women’s Health’s Look Better Naked DVD.)

Just treat it like any other indulgence by adding up your calories for the day or week to determine how much wiggle room you have and where wine can fit in, says Zuckerbrot.

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Her low-cal picks for white wines are chardonnay, Riesling, white zinfandel, and sauvignon blanc, all of which are under 85 calories, 2.6 carbs, and one gram of sugar. The white wines that might be trickier to fit into your healthy-eating plans are sweet dessert wines, which have more than 14 carbs, eight grams of sugar, and 164 calories per glass, says Zuckerbrot.

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For reds, go with merlot, pinto noir, and rose, which have less than three grams of carbs, one gram of sugar, and 88 calories. And keep an eye on your glass of sherry or marsala, she says. These wines all have more than 14 carbs, eight grams of sugar, and 164 calories.

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Compared to your other happy hour options, like beer, a margarita, or even a vodka cranberry, wine is actually a top choice.

Basically, if consumed in moderation, wine shouldn’t throw off your weight-loss goals. Let’s pop a bottles!