The Unknown Calories in Alcohol.....

Now is 9.57am, Friday, April 11 2008 and I'm having a bad headache. Too much party perhaps?

Too much drinking, Nah.... It's true I came back this morning at 2AM from my boyfriend uncle's 25th anniversary. Yup and it was a Thursday night and boy can you imagine the tiredness you will get the next day? I wish I could call it a day but work have to go on....How sad.

Luckily, my work is mobile and flexible so I can still afford a little time-off/"Ular"(as my bf would put it). The party was held at this beautiful restaurant called, "ISHq" is located at Crowne Plaza, K.L. It has a very cozy ambience and a touch of Indian/Middle East decor to it.

I was in awed when I stepped into the restaurant looking at the lighting, the flooring and the mini fountain at the middle of the dining tables. The fountain even has some floating Orchids and Chrysanthemum, which added a sense of calmness to it. And my bf's cousin, Nance who works there got us a booking of 45 ppl, buffet style. The food served was Northern Indian style.

Every inch of the food was delicious and yummy. I usually go for 1 serving even for buffet style but this was too tempting to resist for 2nd and 3rd round. I had like 3 of their Naan bread cos it was so soft as compare to our normal "Mamak stalls" (Our Malaysian road side food stalls operated by Indian Muslim). What Punjabi party will do without serving of alcohol right? There was practically free flow of Beers, Vodka and Whisky. Practically, people there are drinking more than they are eating...so what a waste I would say.

And what a coincidence today while checking my mail, I’ve got and email talking all about booze! Well just to shed some lights to those beer drinkers and just watch out how many calories you are actually consuming in….

BEERS
Regular Beer: 153 calories (It takes you 45 minutes to walk it off)
Light Beers: 103 calories (It takes you 30 minutes to walk it off)
Dark Ale: 185 calories (It takes you 51 minutes to walk it off)

COCKTAILS

Bloody Mary:125 calories (10 oz.). It takes 34 minutes to walk it off.
Cosmopolitan : 213 calories (4 oz.). It takes 59 minutes to walk it off.
Pina Colada :303 calories (8 oz.). It takes 83 minutes to walk it off.
Apple Martini :235 calories (4 oz.). It takes 65 minutes to walk it off.
Gin & Tonic:143 calories (6 oz.). It takes 39 minutes to walk it off.
Rum & Coke:156 calories (6.5 oz.). It takes 43 minutes to walk it off.
Red Bull & Vodka:177 calories (9.3 oz.). It takes 49 minutes to walk it.
Long Island Iced Tea:276 calories (8.3 oz.). It takes 76 minutes to walk it off.
Margarita: 800 calories!! (If you're craving a margarita, stick to the smallest size and order it on the rocks. Save a few hundred calories by staying away from any cocktail that could be a dessert (anything with chocolate, cream, multiple liquors or fruit juice). Stick vodka soda.)

TIPS

An easy way to cut down on your drink calories is to use Low-calorie or Zero-calorie mixers. Using Diet Coke instead of Classic in your Rum and Coke will save you 61 calories. Don't forget to ask for diet tonic or soda water.

Regular tonic has as many calories as a can of Coca-Cola. What about trying your drink with soda water and a splash of your favorite juice to save 50 or 60 calories?

WINES

Red wine:129 calories (5 oz.). It takes 35 minutes to walk it off.
White wine, dry:120 calories (5 oz.). It takes 33 minutes to walk it off.
White wine, sweet:141 calories (5 oz.). It takes 36 minutes to walk it off.
Rose wine:102 calories (5 oz.). It takes 28 minutes to walk it off.
Sparkling wine: 68 calories (4.1 oz.). It takes 21 minutes to walk it off.

You guys probably heard the stories buzzing around the health benefits of wine, but, just like dark chocolate, a small amount can go a long way. Just stick to one 5-ounce glass(And I mean 1 glass) of your favorite wine, or have a white wine spritzer cut the calories in half.

Sweet wines and dessert wines have about 50 calories more than dry wines per serving. So, too many glasses of those red wines are also equivalent of you drinking beers.

For those interested to book a place for their event or just normal dine-in you, the address is below:

ISHq Restaurants
Main Lobby,
Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Sultan Ismail
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

Telephone: +603 2144 3440
Fax: +603 2144 3442

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