A calorie counter's guide to holiday drinking

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A bottle of beer, a glass of wine or a shot of liquor. If you're watching your weight, which one of these alcoholic drinks offers the least amount of calories per serving?

"I would say beer is your best alternative, having a light beer, when I say light, that's in calories and not light in color," said Dietitian Molly Paulson.

A 12-ounce bottle of light beer has an estimated 100 calories, versus 150 for the same size regular brew. A glass of red wine has about 100 calories, but is measured in a much smaller 4-oz. serving. Experts argue mixed drinks are the biggest diet busters. A mixed drink like a daiquiri can pack in more than 400 calories in an 8-oz. glass.

"Alcohol will typically make you gain weight in the fact that it's calories taken in that most people don't account for," Paulson said.

Paulson says alcohol is loaded with carbohydrates and sugar.

She suggests a better way to hold down the calories while drinking is to alternate beverages, making every other drink a glass of calorie-free water.

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