"Alcohol is toxic and it does increase your risk for many diseases, and the reason it does is because it's so high in calories and obesity is linked to so many lifestyle diseases," says Karen Schwartz, a registered dietician with the Bon Secours St. Francis Health System.

Alcohol has seven calories per gram, more than both protein and carbs. But there are options, thanks to the people in the wine and spirits industry, who never miss out on an opportunity to capitalize on the latest diet craze.

The carb-cut-down fad has produced plenty of low-carb beers and wines. Red and white wines have the lowest amount of carbs of all the alcoholic beverages with only three to four grams in each five-ounce glass.

Schwartz says the overall message people looking to eat and drink healthier should get is to drink in moderation.

Luckily for those of us who might have never understood the definition of moderation, the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture in 2005 defined sensible drinking as one drink a day for women and two for men.

While moderation might not be the more attractive choice, it can keep you looking more attractive, at least to those who stay sober.

[ calorie and carb count in popular drinks ]
Light beers usually have 50 fewer calories than their fattening counterparts and there is always the popular option of drinking diet soda with (insert favorite liquor.) Red wine is also a great choice, considering there are studies that show it reduces the risk for heart disease, according to Shwartz. Here's a breakdown of what you may be drinking.

Drink	Calories	Carbs (g)
Beer, 12 ox.	146	13
Light beer	99	5
Whiskey (80 proof), 1.5 oz.	97	0
Coffee liqueur (53 proof)	175	25
Daiquiri, 2 oz.	112	4
Piña Colada, 4.5 ox.	262	40
Dry Dessert Wine, 3.5 oz.	30	4
Sweet Dessert Win, 3.5 ox.	158	12
Table Red	74	2
Table White	70	1
Low Carb and Light Beers	Calories	Carbs (g)
Amstel Light	95	5
Bud Light	110	6.6
Busch Light	95	3.2
Coors Light	102	5
Corona Light	105	5
Labatt Blue Light	111	8
Michelob Light	113	6.7
Michelob Ultra	95	2.6
Mike's Light Lemonade	84	2
Miller Lite	96	3.2
Milwaukee's Best Light	98	3.5
Natural Light	95	3.2
Rock Green Light	92	2.6
Samuel Adams Light	124	9.7

Source: Bellaonline.com, michelob.com, anheuserbusch.com