Beer Wine & Waistline

Within the world of healthy dieting, how many times do you hear the words ‘no thanks, I’m watching what I eat’ following the refusal of a biscuit or delicious cake. On the other hand how many times do you hear someone say they are watching what they drink?

Beer Wine & Waistline

Not to suggest that we are a nation of binge drinkers as many news sources would have us believe. But alcohol is an ever present part of our culture whether it be a nice glass of wine with a meal or heavy weekend session of pints or cocktails.

How many times do you hear the words ‘no thanks, I’m watching what I eat’ following the refusal of a biscuit or delicious cake. On the other hand how many times do you hear someone say they are watching what they drink?

Not to suggest that we are a nation of binge drinkers as many news sources would have us believe. But alcohol is an ever present part of our culture whether it be a nice glass of wine with a meal or heavy weekend session of pints or cocktails.

With an aim to remain impartial and not advocate consumption of alcohol or preach that one should live a life of distilled water and nothing else. It is important to know the difference between moderate alcohol intake and excessive drinking which can lead to serious health problems, excessive weight gain being one of them.

Here we are concerned with the effect alcohol has on calorific intake. It is for certain that whatever your lifestyle choices where alcohol consumption is concerned there could be a major impact on your waist lines.

A meal in a glass.

Although alcohol itself does not contain any fat, the calorific content of different alcoholic beverages varies widely. For instance a typical pint of lager can have around 200 calories per glass, and depending on the brand could have as many as 250 cals. A couple of pints could amount to the equivalent of a 500 calorie lunch.

A shot of a spirit such as gin or vodka could typically contain around 50 calories. But take into consideration what may be mixed with it such as cola, lemonade and other sugary things. This addition can more than double the calorific intake of the drink.

Wine tends to have around 120 calories in a 175ml glass, which can slightly increase due to sweetness. There are fewer calories in dry wines.

Calories in some of the leading alcopops can stack up to 230 calories per bottle!

Choose Wisely.

Take note of government recommendations of alcohol consumption men: 3-4 units per day women 2-3 units per day.

Have a small glass of wine with a meal if you wish BUT make sure you know what small means!

If you are on a calorie controlled diet or a member of a weight loss club.

Take note of the calories you may be drinking and not just what you eat

Choose your poison wisely and the mixer you put with it. Dry wine has fewer calories than a sweet wine and why not opt for a ‘light’ beer.

Keep in mind that alcohol can give you the munchies and lead to diet devastation such as pizzas or kebabs!