Smirnoff Vodka and Your Diet

Vodka is a product that can be traced back for centuries. Smirnoff, which was last sold to the British corporation Diageo in 2002, was founded by P.A. Smirnoff in Moscow, Russia, during the 19^th century. His filtration system included a fairly new system of processing the vodka through charcoal to remove the impurities.

Smirnoff was the first vodka to be introduced in the United States. It is now sold in over 100 countries and has become the most popular vodka in the world, according to the Diageo Corporation, which also owns other popular spirits like Jose Cuervo, Bailey's Irish Cream and Tangueray Gin. Within the Smirnoff brand there are options that can fit your diet without expanding your waistline - if you read the labels carefully.

Nutrients
A typical serving of vodka is one ounce, about the equivalent of a shot glass. In one ounce of Smirnoff, there are only 69 calories. The vodka contains no other nutritional value as it is lacking in vitamins and minerals. It does not contain any nutrients that could be considered damaging to a diet either, such as fat, cholesterol, sugar or carbohydrates.

Types
Straight Smirnoff comes in a few versions, with two commonly sold ones in the United States. The Smirnoff No. 21 is the number one vodka in the world, according to the company that makes it. Smirnoff No. 57 is a stronger vodka which is 100 proof, or the equivalent of 50% alcohol by volume. In addition to the plain vodkas, Smirnoff makes flavored vodkas, including blueberry, pineapple, raspberry and orange.

Mixers
The nutritional information when looking at vodkas like Smirnoff will really depend on how it is served. Vodka is not often served straight. A vodka drink can include mixers like tomato juice for a Bloody Mary, orange juice for a Screwdriver, or additional alcoholic spirits for a Martini. It is these additional ingredients which bring added calories and sometimes sugar and carbohydrates, not the vodka itself. The flavors do not add any calories to the vodka, making them a local calorie cocktail when added to plain soda.

Smirnoff Ice and the Malted Drinks
Smirnoff has a line of malted mixed drinks such as the Blueberry & Lemonade and Smirnoff Ice. The nutritional value of Smirnoff straight vodka is strictly in a small caloric value. The malted beverages, on the other hand, do contain additional calories as well as carbohydrates which make them similar to that of a mixed drink. The Smirnoff Ice Green Apple, for example, has 175 calories in a 12 ounce bottle. It also contains 10 grams of carbohydrates, though it has no cholesterol, sugar, protein, vitamins or minerals.

Considerations
Smirnoff Products, like most vodkas, are made from a mixture of grains. The company has not divulged the specific recipe for each on. These grains may include wheat, corn and rice. If you have an allergy to one of these products, or a condition such as celiac disease which makes you unable to digest wheat, be cautious when drinking Smirnoff or other vodkas which may be made with wheat.