Alcohol and weight loss
There are many theories on weight loss, most of them recommend that a person who is dieting or on a weight loss program should avoid drinking alcohol while trying to accomplish this. However, there is now evidence that some moderate intake of certain alcohols is not actually a deterrent to people who are trying to lose weight. Studies have shown that people in France or in the countries around the Mediterranean have a much lower incidence of heart disease or high cholesterol levels. They also have fewer issues with obesity as a whole.
This has lead researchers to find the key elements in their diets that are different than those in the Western Hemisphere. They have found that both of these cultures drink moderate amounts of wine on a daily basis and use olive oil for most cooking and other food preparation that requires fatty oils or substances. Therefore they have concluded that drinking small to moderate amounts of wine and adding olive oil to our diets are healthy changes that can actually improve our health.
The reason that most experts and clinicians feel that people should refrain from consuming alcohol while dieting is the fact that many alcoholic drinks are very high in carbohydrates as well as providing high caloric intake with no nutritional value. Wine on the other hand has as little as 1 gram of carbohydrates in a four ounce glass.
It stands to reason for purposes of heart health and in keeping cholesterol at a manageable level, a person should be able to consume moderate amounts of wine along with an otherwise healthy diet and continue to lose weight in a steady manner.
All wines are not equal however in relation to caloric values. The lowest caloric value was found in the Zinfadel wines which have 80-90 calories per four ounce glass. Burgundies, Bordeaux, and Chlabis are all under 100 calories per glass as well. The wines to stay away from due to high caloric content would be the Muscatels and the Ports. They have from 160-185 calories per glass which is twice the amount of calories the other wines listed have.
Adding a four ounce glass of wine either once or twice a day only adds approximately 200 calories per day. The caloric content is outweighed by the fact that wine has been shown to help to reduce cholesterol numbers and can improve heart health. Wine should be limited to three times per week in order to allow the optimum weight loss for the person who is interested in losing weight.
Dr Atkins, the founder of the Atkins diet states that he recommends that people following his diet refrain from alcohol but if they feel that they do want to drink while trying to lose weight, it is acceptable to drink wine or straight gin, vodka, rye, or scotch with a sugar free mixer on occasion.
The founders of the Protein Powder Plan state that one glass of dry red or white wine (3 ounces) or a 12 ounce bottle of light beer is acceptable intake while ascribing to their diet plan.
So it is reasonable to say that some alcohol consumption is safe while continuing to lose weight as long as moderation is adhered to and the type of alcohol is limited to the above types in order to continue to lose weight and not thwart the dieter’s efforts in any manner.
If you do drink alcohol, be sure to eat high protein foods that are low in fats and carbohydrates during the same amount of time. Alcohol can affect people more if they do not have food with it. Eating high protein and low carbohydrate foods gives the body less sugar to burn at the same time as it burns up the energy in the alcohol.
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Comment by Sheila Joyce Gibbs on 5 October 2008:
Just read your column. I tend to disagree, and here’s why. In my 2nd disasterous marriage, my husband watched my weight like a hawk!
Plus he was one of the worst Alcoholics I’ve ever met, and always wanted me to drink with him. So for 15 yrs I drank with him, workmates, friends & neighbours, and maintained a weight of 117 lbs (@ 5ft 6 tall). It was very easy, I just hardly ate, and when I did eat, it was usually fruit, yogurt, Special K Cereal etc etc.
I only drank ‘Grey Hounds’ which you should know, the Grapefruit juice in those is unsweetened. HOWEVER, I’ve paid the price now.
As all alcohol does contain sufficient drug like power, to basically destroy anyones health, as it see’s fit. With no warning at all! Currently there are no cures available for 99% of these alcohol caused health afflictions.
Don’t we have enough problems in this world ?
Do we really need to add to it, by so many of us drinking the crap ?
Comment by Jana on 13 August 2009:
Unfortunately this article “forgets” to mention the role that alcohol takes as a poison in your body that needs to removed. You liver turns the alcohol into acetate and your body will ALWAYS burn that form of energy off first. This means anything you have eaten will be put on hold, or stored as fat while your body is feverishly trying to rid itself of the alcohol. Alcohol is not “just” calories, it slows your fat loss, lowers you testosterone, and increases cortisone in your body. YOu cannot simply work out harder, or cut your calorie intake down to accommodate the alcohol. Your body needs fuel to build muscle and burn fat, alcohol is completely empty calories. Not the best way to lose fat if you ask me. Articles like this really anger me because it gives people that do not want to give up their drinking an excuse not to, and in the end it will cause their diet to fail.
Of course, after you have lost the fat you desire and want to maintain THEN moderate drinking 1-2 glasses a day is acceptable. But Fat Loss and Alcohol do not mix!
Sorry for the rant…