We know alcohol can be\u00a0full of empty calories, but sometimes you just\u00a0need\u00a0a cold beer after a long day at work or during a night out with friends. And that\u2019s fine \u2014 balance is important! But the calories in alcohol can add up quickly, especially if \u201cone beer\u201d turns into two or three.<\/p>\n
But what if there was a drink that could satisfy your fizzy cravings without messing with your meal plan? Enter: White Claw, the flavored malt beverage has taken the market by storm.<\/p>\n
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\n<\/blockquote>\nWhite Claw is an alcoholic seltzer (5% to 8%\u00a0ABV) made with a simple blend of seltzer water, a gluten-free alcohol base, and infused fruit flavor. The\u00a0roster of available flavors\u00a0is growing faster than beards in this country and includes raspberry, black cherry, mango, lime, and grapefruit along with a couple dozen others.<\/p>\n
Naturally sweetened with a small amount of pure cane sugar \u2014 and no artificial ingredients or high-fructose corn syrup \u2014 most White Claw varieties\u00a0clock\u00a0in at just 100 calories and 2 grams of carbohydrates\u00a0per 12-ounce can.<\/p>\n
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Is White Claw Healthier Than Beer?<\/h2>\n
Although hard seltzer is now a nearly $9 billion category\u00a0with mass appeal, it\u2019s not necessarily that much healthier than beer. \u201cAlcohol is still a poison any way you look at it, and you can still get fat from excess alcohol,\u201d says\u00a0Denis Faye, M.S.<\/p>\n
And while White Claw is marketed as a lower-calorie alternative to beer, the difference in calories is actually pretty small. \u201cTake Stella Artois, which contains about 150 calories a bottle \u2014 you\u2019re only really saving 40 calories,\u201d Faye says. \u201cIf you like the taste of hard seltzer, cool \u2014 but if you prefer beer, just have the beer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The focus, he adds, should really be on\u00a0how much\u00a0you\u2019re drinking rather than what type of beverage you choose. If you have more than a drink or two \u2014 whether it\u2019s beer or seltzer \u2014 the\u00a0calories in alcohol\u00a0are going to start adding up.<\/p>\n
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Should You Hop on the White Claw Trend?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Hard seltzer sales have skyrocketed over the past half decade or so, and White Claw accounts for around\u00a0almost half\u00a0of all hard seltzer sales. The wildly trendy drink has spawned Instagram fan accounts, and the hashtag #whiteclaw has been used nearly 300,000 times. That\u2019s some serious beverage loyalty.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not surprising when you consider the popularity of fruit-infused sparkling waters such as\u00a0La Croix. Like its nonalcoholic counterparts, White Claw is light, not too sweet, and offers several refreshing flavors to choose from.<\/p>\n
And the natural ingredients in White Claw appeal to health-conscious consumers looking for alternatives to sugary drinks. For example, one brand of\u00a0canned tequila\u00a0margarita\u00a0contains 360 calories and 27 grams of sugar per 12-ounce can. We love a margarita, but if you\u2019re looking to cut back on sugar, White Claw Natural Lime Hard Seltzer has only 2 grams of sugar per 12-ounce can and less than one-third of the calories.<\/p>\n
So should you be drinking White Claw? Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference \u2014 and moderation. If your fridge is already stocked with sparkling waters, chances are you\u2019ll love the taste of White Claw, and the lower calorie count is a bonus. But if nothing can replace your favorite IPA, go ahead and enjoy one \u2014 just keep in mind the\u00a0daily recommendations for alcohol\u00a0are one drink for women and two drinks for men, no matter what beverage you choose.<\/p>\n
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