CHOICE reveals how many calories are in holiday drinks

With party season upon us, chances are you are indulging in a few extra alcoholic beverages. 

But do you know how many kilojoules you’re actually consuming? 

CHOICE is hoping to close a loophole in Australia’s food labelling laws that allows alcohol companies to hide nutritional information from consumers.

Consumer watchdog group CHOICE has revealed the kilojoules found in some of our favourite alcoholic beverages as it works to close the loophole in Australia’s labelling regulations

‘This is especially worrying considering the amount of kilojoules found in alcoholic beverages; one bottle of cider can contain 868 kJs, the equivalent of eating a small McDonald’s fries,’ said CHOICE on its website.

The consumer watchdog group found that a can of Coke has 675 kJ but when you add Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, it jumps to 1069 kJ.

And just one can of the mixed drink will cost you the same amount of kilojoules as a McDonald’s hamburger.

While vodka has long been hailed as the healthier choice when it comes to liquor, don’t think you’re off the hook with a can of Smirnoff Double Black. 

CHOICE found that a can of Coke has 675 kJ but when you add Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, it jumps to 1069 kJ

Just one can of the Jack Daniels Whiskey and Cola mixed drink will cost you the same amount of kilojoules as a Macca's hamburger

Just one can of the Jack Daniels Whiskey and Cola mixed drink will cost you the same amount of kilojoules as a Macca’s hamburger

The healthiest option on Choice's list is a 375ml bottle of Pure Blonde Ultra Low Carb Lager

It clocks in at only 387kj - nearly the same as one Tim Tam cookie

The healthiest option on CHOICE’s list is a 375ml bottle of Pure Blonde Ultra Low Carb Lager, which clocks in at only 387kj – nearly the same as one Tim Tam cookie

A 375ml can of the drink, which is mixed with Smirnoff vodka and a citrus flavoured soda, likewise has 1069kJ. 

The healthiest option on Choice’s list is a 375ml bottle of Pure Blonde Ultra Low Carb Lager, which clocks in at only 387kj – nearly the same as one Tim Tam cookie. 

But those who enjoy drinking bubbly on the holidays may be shocked to find out that just one glass is 438kJ.

If you're feeling really festive and enjoy a full bottle of sparkling wine, you'll be consuming 2190kJ in one sitting

Meanwhile a bottle of sweet white wine will have an average of 3,315 kJ per bottle

If you’re feeling really festive and enjoy a full bottle of sparkling wine, you’ll be consuming 2190kJ in one sitting – while a bottle of sweet white wine has 3,315 kJ

And if you’re feeling really festive and enjoy a full bottle of sparkling wine, you’ll be consuming 2190kJ in one sitting. 

A 150ml glass of white wine is 464kJ and a 150ml glass of red wine has 481kJ

A 150ml glass of white wine is 464kJ and a 150ml glass of red wine has 481kJ

Removing the bubbles won’t reduce the kilojoules. A 150ml glass of white wine is 464kJ and a 150ml glass of red wine has 481kJ.

Downing one full bottle of sweet white wine would be equivalent to eating three McDonald’s hamburgers, CHOICE also revealed.

A 330ml of Somersby Apple Cider clocks in at 868kJ, just eight kilojoules more than a small order of the fast food giant’s fries.

And eggnog lovers out there, beware. Four glasses of the beloved holiday drink is the same as eating eight McDonald’s hamburgers back to back. 

Alcohol is a discretionary food, defined by the Australian government as being dense in kilojoules without offering nutritional benefits.

And CHOICE revealed that alcohol is now the ‘leading contributor to Australia’s discretionary kilojoule intake’, beating out chips and sugary soft drinks, among others.

CHOICE hopes that by identifying kilojoules in each alcoholic drink, Australians can make healthier choices and choose the lower calorie options, if they desire.

A 330ml of Somersby Apple Cider clocks in at 868kJ

It has just eight kilojoules more than a small order of Macca's fries

A 330ml of Somersby Apple Cider clocks in at 868kJ, just eight kilojoules more than a small order of McDonald’s fries



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