Alcoholic Drinks
Navigating social events while keeping an eye on your diet can be challenging. One area where many people struggle is with alcoholic beverages – they can be surprisingly high in calories and syns. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you make informed choices.
This page provides a comprehensive guide to the syn values in various types of alcoholic drinks, from lagers and ciders to wines and spirits. We’ve detailed the syns per ml, per 100ml, in a shot, a glass, and even in a pint for those who enjoy a larger serving. We’ve also provided a handy SynScore and SynRank to help you easily compare different drinks.
Whether you’re a fan of a crisp glass of prosecco, enjoy a refreshing pint of cider, or fancy a shot of tequila on a night out, you can find the information you need here. So, the next time you find yourself at a social event or simply enjoying a drink at home, you can make a choice that suits your lifestyle and dietary goals.
Remember, it’s not about complete abstinence, but about informed decisions. Enjoying a drink doesn’t have to derail your diet – it’s all about moderation and balance. So, go ahead and explore the table to find the best options for you. Cheers to making informed choices!
How to use this table
Navigating this table is simple, but let’s break down the various columns to ensure you’re making the most of the information provided.
- Type: This is the type or brand of the alcoholic drink. We’ve included a range from beers and wines to spirits and liqueurs.
- Syns per ml: This is the number of syns in just one millilitre of the drink. This is a very small measurement but it’s useful for understanding how syn-dense the drink is.
- Syns per 100ml: This shows the number of syns in a standard 100ml serving. This column is very handy, as 100ml is a common measure for many drinks, especially wines and spirits.
- Syns in a shot (35ml): A ‘shot’ is typically used to measure spirits and liqueurs. While you wouldn’t typically drink a shot of lager, for example, we’ve included this measure for completeness.
- Syns in a glass (250ml): This is the syn value for a typical glass serving of the drink. The size of a ‘glass’ can vary, but this gives a good estimate for a standard serving.
- Syns in a pint (568ml) : A pint is a larger measure, typically used for beers and ciders. Again, you wouldn’t normally drink a pint of whiskey, but we’ve included it for completeness and interest.
- SynScore: This is a score we’ve assigned based on the drink’s syn value, with 100 being the lowest syns and 0 being the highest. It’s a quick way to compare the syn values of different drinks.
- SynRank: This is the drink’s ranking based on its SynScore, with 1 being the drink with the lowest syns.
When using this table, we suggest you use the measure that’s most relevant to how you typically consume the drink. For example, if you usually drink wine by the glass, look at the ‘Syns in a glass’ column. If you’re measuring out spirits for a cocktail, ‘Syns in a shot’ might be more useful.
Remember, this table is a guide, and the actual syn value can vary depending on the exact brand and serving size. But it’s a great starting point for making informed choices about what you drink.
Why do some alcoholic drinks have so many syns?
The calorie content in alcoholic beverages varies greatly, and it largely comes down to three components: the alcohol content, the sugar content, and the presence of any additional ingredients.
Firstly, alcohol itself is quite calorie-dense. It has almost twice the calories per gram as carbohydrates and protein, and just a bit less than fat. So, drinks with a higher percentage of alcohol, such as spirits and liquors, tend to have more calories than those with lower alcohol content, like light beers or wines.
Secondly, sugar adds to the calorie count. Some drinks, like sweet wines, cocktails, and certain liqueurs, contain added sugars or are made from high-sugar fruits, which bumps up the calorie count.
Lastly, additional ingredients can also contribute to the calorie content. Mixers like soda, juice, or cream used in cocktails, for instance, add extra calories.
So, while a light beer might be relatively low in both alcohol and sugar, a creamy liqueur could be high in alcohol, sugar, and additional ingredients, leading to a much higher calorie content. This is why there’s such a broad range in the calorie and hence, the syn values of different alcoholic drinks.
What are the lowest syn alcoholic drinks?
Choosing low-syn alcoholic drinks can be a challenge, but it’s definitely possible! Here are some options to suit different preferences:
- For Beer Lovers: Opt for a 0% Lager. With only 1.6 syns per 100ml, it’s the lowest syn choice for beer lovers. Even a 4% lager doesn’t fare too badly, coming in at 1.7 syns per 100ml.
- For Wine Enthusiasts: While wine isn’t the lowest syn option, choosing a sparkling wine like Prosecco can be a better choice. It contains 3.2 syns per 100ml, making it a lower syn choice compared to other wines.
- For Cider Fans: Cider is another relatively low-syn option, with 2.4 syns per 100ml.
- For Those Who Love Spirits: Opt for clear spirits like vodka, gin, or rum, as they’re usually lower in syns. Just remember to mix them with a zero-calorie mixer like diet soda or sparkling water.
- For Liqueur Lovers: Liqueurs tend to be higher in syns, but if you enjoy them, consider having a smaller portion to keep the syns down.
- For Champagne Connoisseurs: Champagne and similar options like Moet & Chandon or Bollinger have around 3.5-3.8 syns per 100ml. While not the lowest syn option, it’s a decent choice for a special occasion.
Remember, moderation is key. It’s not just about choosing the lowest syn option, but also managing the quantity you consume. Enjoy responsibly!
