Of course, it is not recommended that you drink alcohol while you are starting a new fitness regimen and a new nutritious diet, but there are some times where you are certainly allowed to enjoy yourself.
Like carbs, proteins and fats, alcohol is used for energy, but it is not essential and it is not stored in the body.
Alcohol is 7 calories per gram whereas fat is 9 and carbohydrates and proteins are 4 calories per gram. That being said, not all alcohols are created equal. A serving of alcohol is defined as any drink that has .6 oz of pure alcohol. This amount is found in:
- 12 oz regular beer: 150 calories
- 12 oz of wine/malt or spirit-based cooler: 210-230 calories
- 5 oz wine: 100 calories
- 1.5 oz of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor: 100 calories
- 3 oz sherry or port: 130 calories
- 9 3/4 oz malt liquor: 135 calories
So if you’re watching your calories, stick to wines and liquor, but be sure not to mix it with anything as that will increase calorie intake. Also, stay away from drinks that start with mixes (ie. margaritas) because they can be loaded with sugar. Also try substituting club soda for regular soda.
You may already know that women and men metabolize alcohol differently but you may not know why. Women have less water in their bodies, thus the concentration of alcohol in their bodies is higher. Also, the presence of food in the stomach allows for a slower absorption of alcohol. The time it takes for food to enter into the small intestine is the rate at which the alcohol will get into your blood stream.
So as a general health and safety rule, women can have one serving of alcohol a day and men are allowed 2. Be sure that you aren’t “saving” you servings for the weekend and then binge drinking, which is dangerous behavior.
-Tony Tiamiyu
Instant Fitness, LLC
Atlanta's #1 Personal Trainer
Lindbergh City Center
What about resting your metabolism with a free to day to drink and eat as much as you want, does that work?
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