This article is written by CS Healthcare, a specialist provider of health insurance. People watching their weight should pay attention to how much alcohol they are drinking. Alcohol contains 7kcal/g, which is only slightly less calorific than fat, which contains 9kcal/g, say experts. Having a large glass of wine will cost you the same 178 calories as eating two chocolate digestive biscuits and it can take you more than half an hour's brisk walk to burn these calories off. Eating or drinking too many calories on a regular basis can lead to weight gain, but alcohol, unlike food, can have very little or no nutritional value.
Recent reports have shown that people are unaware of calories in drinks and don't include them when calculating their daily consumption. Government guidelines recommend men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day, and women should limit themselves to 2-3 units a day. A standard 175ml glass of wine contains about 2 units and a large 250ml glass contains about 3 units.
If you have had a heavy drinking session, you should avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours, experts advise.
Cutting down on drinking alcohol can have a positive effect on weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight. If you don't want to abstain entirely, there are ways that can help you cut down, including opting for a smaller glass sizes, diluting alcohol with soda water or a low-calorie soft drink, alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and keeping a few nights each week alcohol-free.
Source: NHS
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