Alcohol and weight loss – not a good combo...
Wednesday, 10 February 2010.
Originally from express article 10 February 2010
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| Diana Rands from CADS. |
Well folks, it is hard to believe but as I get scarily close to 50, my gorgeous wonderful partner is going to make an ‘honest woman’ out of me...yes we are getting married!
Oh my god – there is so much to organise!! And then there is the little matter of fitting into the dresses (we are both wearing dresses). We bought them on the assumption that we will lose weight before then – now the day is looming… You see we are both very happy and comfortable, and in this state you can start looking like a comfortable old sofa – with the stuffing bunching up in places.
Something must be done! Our first step was to exercise more (hard in this weather), and now we are looking at calorie intake. Eating less chocolate and croissants helps, so does cutting down (or even cutting out for a while) alcohol.
Food is essential for the nutrients it gives our bodies - but alcohol is empty calories. Alcohol calories are particularly bad for weight loss because our bodies convert alcohol into acetate, which is prioritised as an energy source – ahead of fat. In other words – acetate stops fat loss!
Also, the calorie count of pure alcohol is twice as high as carbohydrates or proteins, at 7 calories per gram – pure fat is only just higher at 9 calories per gram. This means that a 175ml glass of wine has 116 calories, 500mls beer has 184, and 100mls of whiskey has 220. Anyone on weight watchers will know that is a fair amount of calories!
Of course we all know heavy drinkers who are very thin; in all likelihood they probably have replaced food with alcohol, and may be suffering the associated health consequences.
There are also grey areas and drinking a moderate amount of alcohol for most people does not result in weight gain – it is just if you want to lose weight (in a sensible healthy way – i.e. not starving yourself) cutting down your alcohol intake is a very good start.
We will fit those dresses yet!
If you have concerns about your own or someone else's alcohol or other drug use contact CADS on 8451818 to discuss this or you can call in to any CADS unit without appointment any weekday morning between 10am and 1pm and see someone face to face. Or visit our website www.cads.org.nz. If you live outside Auckland contact the Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797.
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