Is Alcohol Fattening? Or is a Glass of Wine Truly Good for You? Here’s the Scoop.

Alcohol has been known to contribute to belly fat. But why is calories from alcohol different than any other? Here’s why, and how you can enjoy without guilt.

By Flavorful Fit’s Eve Elenhorn

When it comes to alcohol, online articles are extremely contradictory. On the one hand, we hear a glass of wine is good for the heart, has antioxidants, and can be a positive addition to our day. On the other hand, many articles cite alcohol as a contributing factor to the unwanted belly bulge from its sugar content and unnecessary calories. It’s also known that a glass of vodka has less calories than a banana. So where is the line? How can we find the proper balance between enjoying a drink and being mindful of our dietary needs?

The term that we tend to hear most when referring to alcohol is “empty calories.” Since alcohol is made from fermented sugars and starches, it is basically drinking straight carbohydrates. Alcohol has almost as many calories per gram as pure fat—with zero nutritional benefits! Additionally, alcohol interrupts our body’s natural fat burning process. Since the body is not accustomed to store alcohol, it has to use energy to remove it, and all other processes, like absorbing nutrients, and burning fat, are put on hold. With every shot, we are compromising our body’s energy which triggers appetite, and leads to impulsive snacking.

In order to minimize weight gain when drinking alcohol, it is important to use these helpful tips.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

• Say no to syrups and sodas. Swap those for real fruit juices and seltzer.
• Say no to straight vodka, gin, whiskey, and rum. Swap with a 5 ounce glass of wine to cut back on calories.
• Say no to your usual Cosmopolitan. Swap the vodka with seltzer and a spritz of champagne, and add the usual cranberry juice. Add lime and mint for added flavor.
• Say no to mixers. Swap with natural fruits like lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit, watermelon, and fresh herbs like mint, lavender, and rosemary.
• Don’t be afraid to tell the bartender to make a custom creation.  Don’t forget—you can control your beverage.
• When drinking alcohol, alternate between alcoholic beverages and water.
• It is best not to drink more than two alcoholic beverages.
• Bulk up your drink with ice to add density.

Here are some delicious cocktail recipes from a previous Live Instagram broadcast with Annette Mizrahi Interiors:

 

 

 

 

 

About Eve:

A certified health coach, personal trainer, and natural chef, Eve discovered her current way of life after trying a lot of diets that simply didn’t work. Instead, she discovered what did work: a lifestyle change. Today, through her “Flavorful Fit” movement, she coaches women on the making the right choices and becoming healthy. Follow her on instagram @flavorful_fit.