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January 7, 2016 By Irv Rubenstein

Alcohol and Body Weight Don’t Mix Well

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Alcohol and Body Weight Don't Mix WellYears ago, I read an article in a lay journal about alcohol’s effect on body weight. It mentioned three ways by which drinking alcohol affects weight gain.

First, it is a load of empty calories, which means a small amount has a lot of calories that our bodies prefer not to use in a healthful way. That is, it’s neither a protein for muscle building, a fat for protecting cell membranes or providing fat soluble vitamins, nor a carbohydrate for its flavors, nutrients or bulk. A typical drink – 4-5 oz wine or a shot of liquor – is 110-140 calories, useful only for quick energy and a buzz.

 

Second, alcohol, if ignited, burns fast. As such, if you have a drink your body will use it for fuel first, before it breaksAlcohol and Body Weight Don't Mix Well down the other foods you eat for nutrients and energy. After you burn off the alcohol, much like a fancy alcohol-inflamed dessert, your body, satisfied with the calories, stores the food you ate while drinking as fat…body fat.

Finally, as a recent study shows (see link below) drinking disinhibits you. It reduces your self-control when it comes to portion control or maybe even food choices. Just as it may make that woman or man at the bar look a lot more attractive, it may make the cookies more attractive and the broccoli more ugly.

 

Booze and Body Fat
Booze and Body Fat So what to do when confronted by a typical social situation where alcohol mixes with food options, like at a party?

 

  • First, have a bite to eat of foods you enjoy that are also healthful BEFORE you go to the event.
  • Second, drink a large glass of water or low-calorie flavored beverage BEFORE you to to the event.
  • And, finally, drink a glass of water before and after each alcoholic drink so you are not thirsty…and so you have to go to the bathroom more frequently.

It may not stop you from eating too much of the higher calorie foods, but at least you’ll be getting in more exercise during the evening.

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Filed Under: Fitness Blog Tagged With: alcohol, body weight, high calorie diet, water, weight loss

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