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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