How Alcohol Slows Down Your Fitness Goals
Let’s talk about alcohol.
The bad news is alcohol has empty calories with no benefits. Consuming alcohol gives you loads of calories with no nutrients, no minerals and no vitamins.
Alcohol is used as primary fuel when we consume it and is the first thing the body burns even if you’re eating quality foods. The result?
The good food you have just consumed will be stored as fat, not burned as it would be without the introduction of alcohol in the system. That is why a lot of time, heavy drinkers are overweight because their body is using alcohol as fuel and not food.
Alcohol can mess with your brain on a food level. It stops your brain from making solid judgment calls on your decision-making. If you are thinking “I’m full, I’m going to stop eating,” after consuming a meal, you will stop.
But if you have had alcohol, your brain may not get that signal that you are satisfied and you will consume more calories – and most likely not from good quality food sources, like oversnacking or selecting overly processed foods.
Alcohol can also disrupt your metabolism because it impairs the absorption of different nutrients which can lead to slowing of weight loss. It inhibits the body’s ability to burn fat for energy, increases inflammation, disrupts the balance of the gut biome and interferes with the production of hormones that regulate metabolism like leptin and insulin.
Ugh, but the news isn’t all bad if you are mindful of your alcoholic consumption choices and habits.
Here are 4 alcoholic spirits that are very low in sugar and have 100m calories per 1 ½ oz. that you can enjoy without the heavy guilt factor:
- Vodka
- Whisky
- Tequila
- Brandy .
Everything else has more sugar and more calories (https://www.calories.info/) . Be careful when mixing cocktails with milks, juices, or syrups as then you will be in for a complete sugar overload! Pick a better- for-you low sugar mixer like sparkling water (flavored or unflavored), light tonic water, coconut water, diet soda or zero sugar cranberry juice.
If you are a gin lover, you are sneaking up slightly with the calories with 115 calories per 1 ½ oz. For the oenophiles, one 5 oz glass of red wine has 125-150 calories per serving, with the same serving of white wine coming in at a slightly lower 121-148 calories. Know however, that the more alcohol content the wine, the higher the caloric count.
A fun night out with the girls doesn’t have to be a teetotaler occasion as long as you enjoy alcohol responsibility and know the caloric facts.
About the Author
Name: Di Katz Shachar
Professional Title: Master Fitness Trainer and Founder of Bodyholic
Bio: Di Katz-Shachar is a Master Fitness Trainor, Entrepreneur, Public Speaker and Author with nearly two decades of experience transforming lives through holistic wellness. As the founder of Bodyholic, she empowers individuals to achieve their fitness goals with personalized training programs and expert guidance.
