Alcohol and Weightloss

How can alcohol intake inhibit weight loss when it contains no fat? First of all overall calorie intake is a very important consideration for weight loss – alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. A glass of Red or White wine contains around 100 calories, Champagne around 130 calories, Regular Beer 140 calories, Gin & Tonic 175 calories and Whiskey Sour around 200 calories, and a Long Island Ice Tea 400 calories!!

Aside from the fact that alcohol adds to your overall calorie intake, how else does it affect your ability to lose weight? The human body uses different sources of energy depending on what is available. This energy comes from Alcohol (acetate), Carbohydrate (glucose), Fat, Protein – and in that order. When alcohol is consumed, the liver converts it into Acetate, which is then released into the blood stream and then tops the list of energy sources your body is drawing from. Therefore, while your body is busy burning alcohol, it is NOT burning carbohydrates or fat which results in storage of this energy, hence the extra weight. Alcohol intake also increases your appetite, and can lead to consuming more food which can equal more calories.

Of course there are other negative effects that go along with alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a diuretic, this means that it causes water loss and dehydration and along with this, loss of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc which are responsible for fluid balance, chemical reactions and muscle contraction and relaxation. Good quality sleep is harder to achieve after a few drinks – while alcohol can help induce sleep, it is not a very deep sleep and lack of restful sleep has it’s own set of health issues.

So, how do we manage alcohol intake? Well, for some, it can mean cutting it out altogether, but mostly, cutting down will be helpful! If you drink to relax – I do find a nice glass of red very relaxing – then try some other methods of relaxation such as going for a walk (always works for me), reading or listening to music – or, just make sure you keep it to ONE glass! Aim for a minimum of 3 alcohol free days/nights per week and on the days you allow alcohol, keep it to a minimum AND include extra exercise to account for the extra calories you are consuming (remember, energy in vs energy out).