Lowest calorie alcohol - drinks that are good for your diet

Drinking is largely thought of as a huge no-no if you are watching your weight or trying to shed the pounds. Beer bellies are associated with over indulgence, plus the unhelpful call of the

kebab shop after one too many. However, Express.co.uk can reveal there is a way to indulge in a tipple without completely scuppering your diet. "To keep the calories down when you’re

drinking, try going with single shots of spirits such as gin, whisky or vodka with a sugar-free mixer such as slimline tonic,” Shona Wilkinson, Superfood UK nutritionist exclusively told

Express.co.uk. It’s important to bear in mind that diet mixers are still not the healthy option - but in terms of keeping calories low they are ideal, Shona says. “If you’re drinking

cocktails, then look for those made just with fruit juice and spirits rather than those containing sugary syrups or extra added sugar,” Shona advised. “If spirits aren’t your thing at all,

and you prefer a lager, she adds: “Go for a light beer, which can contains around 100 calories or fewer per bottle – fewer than half the calories in a large glass of wine.” Another piece of

advice from the health professional advises turning to prosecco, a glass of which is 121 calories.  “Prosecco contains high levels of polyphenols which can be good for the blood,” she said.

“Polyphenols slow down the normal removal of nitric oxide from the blood which helps to increase circulation. “Or go for a Vodka and tonic, with 64 calories.  Vodka and slimline tonic tends

to be one of the lowest calorie alcoholic drinks.” MuscleFood.com create a list of drink swaps you can make to help keep the pounds off.  DRINK SWAPS YOU CAN MAKE: Sweet White Wine 175ml

160cal - Champagne 120ml 89cal Gin & Tonic 210ml 170cal - Slim Line G&T 210ml 115cal Vodka Tonic 280ml 175cal Skinny Vodka Tonic 280ml 106cal Lager 568ml (1 Pint) 208cal - Barbell

Brew Beer 330ml 92cal Mojito 230ml 242cal - Martini 250ml 70cal Long Island Iced Tea 420ml 424cal - Cosmopolitan 250ml 100cal Margarita 230ml 280cal - Moscow Mule 170ml 120cal Drink aware

say: “Because alcohol is made from sugar or starch, it contains lots of calories – seven calories a gram in fact, almost as many as pure fat. “Calories from alcohol are 'empty

calories', they have no nutritional value.” While the summer is high time for drinking to take an upswing in the UK, thanks for the good weather, too much alcohol can be bad for your

health. Express.co.uk has recently revealed a map of alcohol misuse in England. Drinking alcohol was linked to 1.1 million estimated hospital admissions last year - a four per cent increase

on the previous year, figures by the NHS revealed.