Suppose you’re starting your fitness journey this year. It is essential to watch what you eat and what you drink.
Alcohol is high in calories and low in nutrition, so it’s not a panacea for your health. However, that doesn’t mean your social life and alcohol intake must take a halt. Let’s face it; there is no better way to relax after a long day than with an ice-cold glass of wine.
The average cocktail contains 222 calories. Even if you don’t drink sugary drinks like Margaritas or other sweet cocktails, pure alcohol still has about seven calories per gram. This equates roughly to 207 calories per gallon ounce.
Alcohol, when savored responsibly, can be part of a healthy diet. Research shows that moderate to light drinking can be associated with higher creativity, better memory retention, and lower stress levels. It may also make you live longer.
Moderation is key to enjoying adult beverages without gaining weight. You can choose low-calorie alcoholic drinks and plan your alcohol consumption.
8 Ways Alcohol Affects Weight Loss
It slows down your metabolism.
After eating and drinking, the body metabolizes what we consume. This involves breaking down nutrients and then storing or using them as energy. Because you cannot store alcohol in the body, our bodies immediately begin to process alcohol. Other nutrients, such as fats, carbs, and proteins, are saved. This set-aside energy can then be stored as body fat.
The metabolism slows down when there is a disruption in the metabolic process. The metabolism slows down over time and can lead to weight gain if there is a lot of alcohol consumption.
It is considered empty calories.
Many people refer to alcoholic drinks as “empty calories”. They provide calories but minimal nutrition.
A 12-ounce can of beer contains almost 155 calories, and a 5-ounce red wine has 125 calories. On the other hand, a recommended afternoon snack should contain 150-200 calories. So, if you consume several servings on a night out, it can add up to more calorie intake, even if you drink the lowest calorie liquor.
It can affect your organs.
Your liver’s primary function is to filter out any foreign substances entering your body. This includes drugs and alcohol. The liver also controls the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates as well as proteins.
Excessive drinking can cause a condition known as fatty liver. This condition can cause liver damage, affecting the way your body stores and metabolizes carbohydrates and fats.
Accordingly, it can be challenging to lose weight due to changes in how your body stores energy.
It can affect nutritional intake and proper digestion.
Consuming alcohol can cause impaired digestion and poor absorption of nutrients. This can significantly impact on the metabolism of organs involved in weight management.
Stress on the stomach or intestines can be caused by alcohol. This can lead to decreased digestive secretions and food movement through your tract.
Moreover, healthy digestion is dependent on healthy digestive secretions. They are responsible for breaking down food into essential macro-and micro-nutrients, which are absorbed by the body. So. it’s vital to keep everything in moderation by only drinking low-calorie alcoholic drinks.
It disrupts sleep.
Alcohol impacts sleep quality, whether it is a glass of wine at dinner or several drinks before bed.
Inadequate sleep can have a direct impact on your weight loss. It can also lead to unhealthy food intake and block your body’s metabolism, further limiting your ability to lose weight. It’s simply a matter of how well you sleep that makes it harder to lose weight.
Ultimate List of Low Calorie Alcoholic Drinks
There are many options to choose from when you ask a dietitian what is the best alcohol to drink on a diet? Here are some of them:
1. Vodka
Calories: 100 calories per 1.5 ounces of distilled vodka 80-proof.
Use low-calorie mixers like club soda to avoid sugary juices.
2. Tequila
Calories: 100 calories per 1.5 ounces of Tequila
The best thing about tequila? It’s simple to make a “shot” of tequila using salt, lime, and tequila.
3. Gin
Calories: 115 calories per 1.5 ounces of gin
Try a simple drink, like a martini. And don’t forget the olives. They contain beneficial antioxidants like vitamin E.
4. Whiskey
Calories: 100 calories per 1.5 ounces of 86proof whiskey
Skip the cola and enjoy your whiskey on the rocks as a low-calorie option.
5. Brandy
Calories: 100 calories per 1.5 ounces brandy
To enjoy the subtle fruity sweetness of the brandy, this drink should be enjoyed as an after-dinner nightcap.
6. White Wine
Calories: 123 calories per 5-ounces
You can make a refreshing spritzer by adding fresh fruits to your wine, sparkling water or club soda if you feel inspired.
7. Rum
Calories: 65 calories per 1 ounce of Rum
You can pair a diet Coca-cola with 7.5 ounces of Rum to concoct a low-calorie alcoholic drink like Rum Coke.
The list could go on because of the unlimited choices of lowest calorie liquor to try while on a diet. Regardless of the low-calorie alcohol brands on the market that you can try, what’s essential in losing weight will always be your intake moderation.
Tips on How to Cut Calories on your Alcoholic Drinks
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Set limits on drinking – Set a goal in the number of drinks you plan to consume in a week and hold yourself accountable. This helps in controlling your calorie intake for weight loss.
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Hydrate yourself with water – Make it a habit to have one to two glasses of water for every alcoholic drink you consume.
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Ensure to eat before you drink alcohol – It is important to eat before you drink. It can make a big difference to your mood the next day and your weight loss journey in the long run.
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Choose low-calorie alcoholic drinks – Choose healthier options from this list of best alcohol for weight loss, such as vodka, whiskey, and gin, because they all have zero carbs.
Let Village Warehouse Wines and Spirits be a part of your weight-loss journey.
With the vast range of alcoholic drinks to choose from to concoct your low-calorie alcoholic drinks and cocktails, Vail liquor store is the right place to go to. Visit us now and let our staff help you select the suitable drink for your fitness journey.
