By Team Best Life
Craving a nice cold beverage to quench your thirst and beat the heat? Be careful what you reach for—some beverages can pack a pretty big caloric punch. In fact, some drinks can end up costing you more than a meal!
Take a look below to figure out how many calories some of your favorite drinks will set you back. All calorie information is based on an eight-ounce serving, unless noted.
Lemonade (powder mixed with water) – 40 calories
Sports Drink – 60-80 calories
Soda – 65-95 calories
Iced Tea – 90 calories
Light Beer – 100 calories per 12 ounces
Regular Beer – 150 calories per 12 ounces
Frozen Margarita – 226 calories per 10 ounces
Strawberry Daquiri/Pina Colada – 250 calories for 4.5 ounces
See the Calories in 4 More Popular Summer Cocktails
Of course, calories shouldn’t be the only thing you pay attention to. You should be on the lookout for artificial sweeteners, which are used to sweeten a beverage without adding any (or many) calories. These can be problematic because they may increase your cravings for sweet foods and interfere with your ability to appreciate naturally sweet foods.
Wondering how to wet your whistle? Water is obviously your best choice—it’s calorie-free, refreshing and healthy. Put off by the lack of flavor? Try adding a squeeze of lemon or lime or a few slices of cucumber or other fruit. If you have some calories to spare, try one of these nutritious and thirst-quenching recipes:
Lemon Spritzer – 5 calories
Pour sparkling mineral water or club soda over crushed ice and add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon.
Rhubarb Iced Tea – 50 calories
Red Tea Harvest Strawberry Smoothie – 130 calories
Ginger Chocolate Freeze – 145 calories
Honey Vanilla Chill – 128 calories
Blueberry Shake – 113 calories