British nutritionist Terri-Ann Nunns reveals drink with more calories than McDonald's cheeseburger
Nutritionist reveals the drink that has more calories than a McDonald’s cheeseburger – and what you should swap it for to stay on track this New Year
- Nutritionist Terri-Ann Nunns said Long Island iced teas contain 400 calories
- A McDonald’s cheeseburger contains just two thirds of that – 263 calories
- Long Islands are packed with Coke and multiple spirits like gin, tequila and rum
- Ms Nunns recommends swapping the cocktail for a 140-calorie Bloody Mary
A nutritionist has revealed the alcoholic drink that contains more calories than a McDonald’s cheeseburger – and it’s bad news for anyone partial to cola-flavoured cocktails.
Nutritionist Terri-Ann Nunns determined the calorific content of some of the world’s most popular tipples to advise drinkers of what they are really consuming this New Year.
The British dietitian found the famously potent Long Island iced tea was one of the worst offenders, laced with almost 140 calories more than the Macca’s classic.
A Long Island – made with an array of spirits including gin, rum, tequila, vodka and triple sec mixed with Coke – can contain up to 400 calories, while a standard McDonald’s cheeseburger contains just 263.
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A Long Island (pictured) – made with an array of spirits including gin, rum, tequila, vodka and triple sec mixed with Coke – can contain up to 400 calories
‘It really is no surprise that, dependent on quantities used, this drink can reach 400 calories if not more,’ Ms Nunns told news.com.au.
‘Not taking into account the potential of a looming hangover, the calorie content of this drink is more than a cheeseburger from McDonald’s.’
Dieters keen to stay on track in 2021 should choose alternatives like a Bloody Mary, Ms Nunns says.
These contain just 140 calories and also two of your ‘five a day’ if you count the tomato juice and the celery stick on the side.
A standard McDonalds cheeseburger (pictured) contains 263 calories
And it’s not the only drink Ms Nunns suggests leaving on the shelf in 2020.
She recommends opting for a small glass of prosecco instead of a large glass of wine to save yourself a whopping 135 calories per drink.
A large glass of wine contains roughly 220 calories while a flute of prosecco has just 85.
Substituting a schooner of lager with a bottle of beer will also dramatically reduce your calorie intake.
A large glass of wine contains roughly 220 calories while a flute of prosecco has just 85
A schooner typical contains 136 calories while a bottle has just 43 calories.
It’s a similar story with A single glass of gin with slimline tonic also only contains 64 calories, while a regular gin and tonic contains between 100 and 170 calories.
‘Some really simple swaps can be made to ensure that calorie intake is reduced,’ Ms Nunns said.
According to Australia’s official alcohol guidelines, adults should not consume more than ten standard drinks a week and no more than four per day.
For support for alcohol-related problems and addiction you can contact Turning Point Services, or one of the many other services available, speak to your GP, local health service or call a helpline.
There are trained telephone counsellors available in every Australian state and territory.