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If you are trying to lose weight, you can boost your efforts by cutting back on alcoholic drinks. Alcohol can cause weight gain in a couple of ways. First, alcohol is high in calories. Some mixed drinks can contain as many calories as a meal, but without the nutrients. Second, you also may make poor food choices when you drink.
While you do not have to entirely cut out alcohol, you may need to consume it more mindfully. You should watch the number, and type, of drinks you choose. You will also want to keep an eye on how drinking affects your eating habits.
Calories and Portions Count
So, how much can you drink if you are trying to lose weight? Health experts recommend that anyone who drinks should do so in moderation. This means no more than 1 drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men. You may want to drink even less than that to lose weight. Keep in mind that alcohol has empty calories. This means it has calories (7 per gram versus 4 per gram for carbohydrate and protein) but no nutrients. In order to drink alcohol while cutting back on calories, you need to plan it into your daily calorie count so you do not go over. Remember that when you drink alcohol, you are replacing potentially healthy, and filling, food with calories that will not fill you up.
When choosing what to drink, check serving size and calories. Here is a quick comparison of some common alcoholic drinks:
- Regular beer, about 150 calories for a 12-ounce (355 mL) glass
- Light beer, about 100 calories for a 12-ounce (355 mL) glass
- Beer, higher alcohol or craft, 170 to 350 calories for a 12-ounce (355 mL) glass
- Wine, about 100 calories for a 5-ounce (145 mL) glass
- Distilled alcohol (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey), about 100 calories for a 1.5-ounce (45 mL) serving
- Martini (extra dry), about 140 calories for a 2.25-ounce (65 mL) glass
- Pina colada, about 380 calories in a 7-ounce (207 mL) glass
Pay attention to what else goes in your drink. Many mixed drinks include juices, simple syrup, or liqueur, which add extra calories quickly. Look for lower calorie options, such as a splash of juice and soda water. You may want to skip mixed drinks completely and stick with beer or wine.
Portion size is something else you should keep an eye on. Know what a standard drink looks like:
- 12 ounces (355 mL) of beer
- 5 ounces (145 mL) of wine
- 1.5 ounces (45 mL, or one shot) of hard liquor
The sizes of alcoholic drinks at a restaurant or bar are often larger than the standard amounts listed above. In some cases, 1 drink may actually have 2 or more servings of alcohol and calories. If you are served a drink that is larger than the standard size, skip a second drink. At home, use a jigger when mixing drinks, and serve them in smaller glasses. It will feel like you are having more.
Eat Before you Drink
Drinking on an empty stomach will make you feel tipsy more quickly. This can lead to eating or drinking more than you want to. Having some food before you drink will help your stomach absorb the alcohol more slowly and help you make better choices.
Studies show that people tend to make poor food choices when drinking alcohol. To avoid piling on the calories after a drink or two, have some healthy snacks ready to eat when you get home or make plans to have a healthy meal after your drink. Good snack choices include fruit, air-popped popcorn, or hummus and veggies.
Take it Slow
Just like eating too fast can lead to overeating, gulping down drinks may cause you to drink more. Sip your drink slowly, putting it down in between sips. When you are done, have a non-alcoholic drink, such as water or low-calorie soda, before having more alcohol.
Make a Plan for Drinking
The best way to control calories from drinking is to limit how much you drink. Before you go out, set a limit for yourself and stick with it. It is OK to turn down a drink you do not want or refuse a top-off on your wine glass. You can skip drinking altogether and volunteer to be the designated driver.
When to Call the Doctor
Contact your health care provider if:
- You or someone you love is concerned about how much you drink.
- You cannot control your drinking.
- Your drinking is causing problems at home, work, or school.
Alternative Names
Weight loss - alcohol; Overweight - alcohol; Obesity - alcohol; Diet - alcohol
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Alcohol and public health: ARDI FAQ (frequently asked questions). www.cdc.gov/alcohol/ardi/faqs.html. February 29, 2024. Accessed June 11, 2024.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website. Rethinking drinking: alcohol and your health. rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/. Accessed May 28, 2024.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website. Alcohol calorie calculator. rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/tools/calculators/alcohol-calorie-calculator. Accessed May 28, 2024.
Nielsen SJ, Kit BK, Fakhouri T, Ogden CL. Calories consumed from alcoholic beverages by U.S. adults, 2007-2010. NCHS Data Brief. 2012;(110):1-8. PMID: 23384768 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23384768/.
US Department of Agriculture; Agricultural Research Service website. FoodData Central. fdc.nal.usda.gov/. Accessed May 28, 2024.
Review Date 5/14/2024
Updated by: Stefania Manetti, RDN, CDCES, RYT200, My Vita Sana LLC - Nourish and heal through food, San Jose, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.