It is not impossible just to avoid doing such stuff entirely, but it is not mandatory. It's important to realize, though, that weight gain or weight loss issues can often be down to what you drink as much as what you eat. If you drink a glass of wine a day, or get through a family-sized bottle of soda, you may not be at a good weight.
If you have to get a drink with dinner, then the better choice is always a glass of water. There are more explanations to this than just the issue of weight. A glass of water will keep you from getting thirsty and will help you enjoy your meal, but not interfere with your taste. And if you are hungry, the only thing you can do is a bottle of water – it replenishes the body’s hydration levels and allows you to enjoy the occasional glass of wine or soda more, because you get to really savor the taste.