How Many Calories Are In A Glass Of Wine

From toasting a birthday or celebrating a new job to unwinding after a long day, those occasions call for wine. For many people, it wouldn't be dinner without a glass of light, fruity Chardonnay or a bold, spicy Zinfandel. But if you're watching your weight, that means watching your calories. It doesn't matter if you're eating or drinking, calories are calories. And just like pounds, they add up. Though wine is fat-free and lower in carbs than beer, it still has calories. When it comes to successful weight loss and maintenance, it's the calories that count.

Calories in wine vary depending on the grape, producer, growing conditions, and other factors, but in general there are 125 calories, 3.84 grams of carbohydrates, and 0.91 grams of sugar in a 5-ounce serving of red wine, according to the USDA nutrient database.

Port and other sweet dessert wines that are often enjoyed after dinner contain more calories and higher amounts of sugar. A 3.5-ounce serving of port has 165 calories, 14 grams of carbs, and 8 grams of sugar. A 5-ounce glass of wine per day is considered moderate wine intake. It's important not to overdo it, though, since excess alcohol consumption may negate the health benefits associated with wine, which is rich in antioxidants that can reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.

Have you ever noticed that the hunger pangs tend to strike when you've been drinking alcohol? Research has shown that alcohol can lead to weight gain not only from the calories it contains, but also by stimulating your appetite, which may lead to consuming additional calories from food. If you're concerned about calories, here are a few tips so that you can have your wine and drink it, too.

Research has shown that alcohol can lead to weight gain not only from the calories it contains, but also by stimulating your appetite, which may lead to consuming additional calories from food.