The Truth: Is tequila bad for you if you're trying to lose weight?

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

A 1.5-ounce shot of pure agave tequila contains approximately 97 calories and zero carbs, often leading many to believe it's a 'healthy' alcohol choice. But is tequila bad for you if you're trying to lose weight?

Quick Summary

Pure agave tequila is low in calories and carbs, but the alcohol itself halts fat-burning in the body and adds empty calories, which can sabotage weight loss efforts.

Key Points

Metabolic Priority: Your body prioritizes metabolizing alcohol over burning fat, effectively stalling your weight loss progress for many hours.
Empty Calories: A shot of pure agave tequila is low-calorie, but mixers in cocktails add significant empty calories that contribute to weight gain.
Appetite Stimulation: Alcohol can disrupt hormones that regulate hunger, leading to increased appetite and greater cravings for unhealthy foods.
Agave Myth Debunked: Beneficial compounds (agavins) from the agave plant do not exist in the final distilled tequila, invalidating claims of weight loss benefits.
Poor Judgment and Sleep: Alcohol can impair decision-making and reduce sleep quality, both of which are major sabotages to maintaining a healthy diet and weight.
Moderation is Essential: For weight loss, the key is limiting alcohol intake and opting for low-calorie choices, such as pure tequila with calorie-free mixers, to mitigate its negative effects.

Understanding the Myth vs. Reality of Tequila and Weight Loss

For years, some health blogs and social media posts have claimed that tequila can aid in weight loss, citing studies on compounds found in the agave plant. However, this is a significant oversimplification and misinterpretation of the science. While the agave plant contains certain sugars (agavins) and prebiotics that have been shown to have health benefits in animal studies, these compounds are destroyed or converted into ethanol during the distillation process. The tequila you drink contains none of these potentially beneficial compounds.

The real story behind tequila's impact on weight loss is tied to the way the human body processes alcohol, regardless of its source. The primary factors to consider are the effects of alcohol on your metabolism, calorie intake, appetite, and hormones. When you're trying to lose weight, understanding these mechanisms is far more important than focusing on the low carb count of pure tequila alone.

The Metabolic Impact: Why Alcohol Stalls Fat Burning

When you consume alcohol, your body treats it as a toxin that must be metabolized and eliminated immediately. Your liver, which is responsible for processing fat, carbohydrates, and proteins, prioritizes the metabolism of alcohol over everything else. This process brings your body's fat-burning to a temporary halt. Depending on the amount consumed, this metabolic slowdown can last for up to 36 hours. This metabolic re-prioritization is one of the most significant reasons why regular alcohol consumption can hinder weight loss progress.

How alcohol interferes with fat metabolism

Prioritization over Fat: Your liver and metabolic system focus entirely on eliminating the alcohol, leaving other macronutrients, including fat, to be stored for later.
Energy Source: Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, nearly as calorie-dense as fat (9 calories per gram). These are considered 'empty calories' because they provide energy without nutritional value.
Extended Impact: A night of drinking can result in your body being in a fat-storage state for a day or more, significantly slowing down your weight loss.

The Hidden Calories in Tequila-Based Cocktails

While a shot of 100% agave tequila on its own has a low calorie count, the real danger to your diet lies in popular tequila cocktails like margaritas. These mixed drinks can be loaded with added sugars from triple sec, simple syrup, or pre-made mixes, dramatically increasing the calorie count. A single large frozen margarita from a restaurant can contain hundreds of calories, potentially negating an entire day's calorie deficit.

Calorie Comparison: Tequila Shot vs. Margarita vs. Other Drinks


Drink Type	Standard Serving Size	Approximate Calories	Carbohydrates (grams)
Pure Tequila Shot (80 proof)	1.5 oz	97	0
Classic Margarita	6-8 oz	200-300+	Varies, typically high
Regular Beer (5% ABV)	12 oz	150	13
Glass of Red Wine	5 oz	125	4
Vodka Soda	1.5 oz vodka	97	0

Alcohol's Influence on Appetite, Judgment, and Sleep

Beyond just the calories, alcohol affects your body and brain in ways that lead to poor dietary decisions. It can stimulate your appetite by altering hormone levels and lowering inhibitions.

Alcohol's side effects that impact weight loss

Increased Hunger: Alcohol can stimulate your appetite-controlling hormones, making you feel hungrier than you actually are.
Impaired Judgment: A few drinks can lower your inhibitions and willpower, making it much harder to resist unhealthy, high-calorie food choices, especially late at night.
Sleep Disruption: While alcohol might make you feel sleepy, it disrupts your sleep cycle and reduces sleep quality. Poor sleep can further affect hunger hormones and lead to increased cravings the next day.

How to Drink Tequila Mindfully While Losing Weight

If you choose to consume tequila while working toward a weight loss goal, moderation and mindful choices are essential.

Tips for mindful drinking

Stick to Pure Tequila: Opt for 100% agave tequila and avoid sugary mixers that significantly increase your calorie intake.
Choose Calorie-Free Mixers: Mix your tequila with soda water and a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a low-calorie, low-sugar drink.
Drink with Food: Have a healthy, protein-rich meal before you drink to slow down alcohol absorption and help prevent later food cravings.
Stay Hydrated: Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water to slow your consumption and stay hydrated, which can help prevent hangovers and related cravings.
Limit Your Intake: Set a strict limit on the number of drinks you'll have for the evening and stick to it.

Conclusion: Tequila is Not a 'Diet' Drink

While pure tequila is lower in carbs and calories than many mixed drinks and beers, it is far from a magic bullet for weight loss. The primary issue is the alcohol itself, which contains empty calories and, most importantly, forces your body to pause fat metabolism. The notion that tequila is a 'diet-friendly' drink is largely a marketing myth, especially when consumed in sugary cocktails. For sustainable weight loss, it is best to treat tequila and all other alcohol as an occasional indulgence and account for its impact on your overall calorie intake and metabolism. If you choose to drink, moderation and smart choices are key to minimizing the negative effects on your weight loss journey. For more comprehensive information on alcohol and weight management, visit MedlinePlus.

What's the Deal with Alcohol and Weight Gain? - Pilot

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 100% agave tequila contains approximately 97 calories and has zero carbs, fats, or sugars.

This myth stems from studies on the agave plant, not the distilled spirit. The beneficial compounds (agavins) found in the plant are not present in the final tequila product, leading to misinformation.

Yes, consuming any type of alcohol, including tequila, causes your body to prioritize its metabolism over other nutrients like fat. This halts fat burning until the alcohol is processed.

The best mixers are calorie-free options like soda water or sparkling water, with a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice.

Yes, but moderation is crucial. You must account for the calories and metabolic effects of alcohol within your overall diet and exercise plan.

Yes, a 'skinny' margarita is often better as it uses fresh ingredients and avoids sugary mixes, but the calorie content can still vary. Opting for pure tequila with soda and lime is the lowest calorie option.

Alcohol can stimulate appetite-regulating hormones and lower your inhibitions, making you more prone to overeating and craving high-calorie, unhealthy foods.