Alcohol and Weight Loss: Do They Get Along?

Alcohol and Weight Loss: Do They Get Along?

While going through our weight loss programs, we often encounter questions like ‘can alcohol and weight loss go hand in hand?’ Truly speaking alcohol and weight loss are enemies, but an occasional drink can have a place in a healthy lifestyle. In fact, many experts agree that consuming one peg per day is actually good for health and the benefits include a reduced risk for hypertension and high blood pressure. If, however, you are exceeding one drink daily, you might be sabotaging your weight loss plans. Here are a few facts you must know before mingling your weight loss program with drinking.

•Alcohol is metabolized differently than other foods and beverages. Under normal conditions, your body gets its energy from the calories in carbohydrates, fats and proteins that need to be slowly digested in the stomach—but not when alcohol is present.

•The liver places all its attention on the alcohol. Therefore, the carbohydrates (glucose) and dietary fats are just changed into body fat, waiting to be carried away for permanent fat storage in the body.

•Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it causes water loss and dehydration. Along with this water loss you lose important minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc. These minerals are vital for the maintenance of fluid balance, chemical reactions, muscle contraction and relaxation.

•Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram and offers NO nutritional value. It only adds empty calories to your diet. Why not spend your calorie budget on something healthier?

•Alcohol might help induce sleep, but the sleep you get isn’t very deep. Ultimately, as a result, you get less rest.

•Alcohol can also increase the amount of acid that your stomach produces, causing your stomach lining to become inflamed. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to serious health problems, including stomach ulcers, liver disease, and heart troubles.

•Alcohol actually stimulates your appetite. While you might be full from a comparable amount of calories from food, several drinks might not fill you up. In this state, you are more likely to overeat—especially greasy or fried foods—which can add to your waistline.

•Skipping a meal to save your calories for drinks later is a bad idea. If you come to the bar hungry, you are even more likely to munch on the snacks, and drinking on an empty stomach enhances the negative effects of alcohol.

• You might think that drinking liquor is more diet-friendly because it has no carbohydrates, while both wine and beer do contain carbs.

Now that you know the realities of liquor, you can adjust your drinking habits in a way that it does not affect your
weight loss program. You cannot let your fitness efforts fail just because you drink…right…it is not worth it!!