Who doesn’t enjoy a stiff drink at the end of a taxing day at work; or a couple of beers on a Saturday evening with friends? But Alcohol and Weight Gain are synonymous unfortunately so your alcohol consumption is playing havoc with your weight loss (or gain) plans.
According to a research paper entitled “Patterns of alcohol drinking and its association with obesity” written by Ahmed A Arif of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centre, USA and James E Rohrer of Mayo Clinic Family Medicine Program/Rochester, USA; and published by the Bio Med Central, current drinkers were found to have lower odds of obesity than non-drinkers. But binge drinkers and those who consumed more than four drinks a day had significantly higher odds of weight gain. Similarly, the odds of significant weight-gain were found to be lower among those who reported drinking frequently and consuming less than five drinks per week.
According to a research paper entitled “Patterns of alcohol drinking and its association with obesity” written by Ahmed A Arif of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centre, USA and James E Rohrer of Mayo Clinic Family Medicine Program/Rochester, USA; and published by the Bio Med Central, current drinkers were found to have lower odds of obesity than non-drinkers. But binge drinkers and those who consumed more than four drinks a day had significantly higher odds of weight gain. Similarly, the odds of significant weight-gain were found to be lower among those who reported drinking frequently and consuming less than five drinks per week.
A glass or two of wine a day is not bad
But the question here, says Delhi-based Dietician and Nutritionist Dr Ratna Dubey, is whether you are drinking something like wine or cocktails. “Cocktails contain various mixers and sugar and other high calorie stuff.” A glass or two of wine a day is not bad, but watch those pretty coloured drinks with cute little umbrellas in them.
Drinks and their calorie counters
The other thing to know is your drinks and their calorie counters. They are not really diet drinks after all! A five-ounce glass of wine has around 150 calories, a 1.5-ounce shot of vodka or 12 ounces of light beer could be adding 100 calories to your counter. Dr. Dubey adds, “Some studies have shown that consuming alcohol temporarily inhibits the oxidation of lipids (fat) in the body.” So essentially this means that you’re adding calories and not even burning what you already have.
What is the wise move when drinking?
Vidhi M, a self-confessed social drinker who is currently on a diet to lose weight for her sister’s wedding this winter says, “I’ve always known that through alcohol you can gain weight. So, when I’m on a diet, the first thing I strike off my list are cocktails. If I must drink, it is usually just one diet coke and vodka in an evening; and max once a week.” Dr. Dubey thinks that’s a wise move. While moderate consumption can aid a healthy lifestyle, each individual’s body has a different definition of “moderate”, she explains. And as Vidhi put it with a smile, “Abstinence never hurt.” Alcohol and weight gain are indeed synonymous, so quitting the former should take care of the latter.
0 comments:
Post a Comment