To drink or not to drink?

We have received a lot of comments and questions recently about alcoholic drinks in relation to health and weight loss.  One person said they are "giving up all alcoholic drinks to lose the weight they gained over the summer" while another countered, "I will never give up my wine!".  So how does your choice to drink alcoholic beverages impact your health and weight?  Do the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption outweigh any risks?  You probably have us figured out by now, and know that once again we are going to say that the answer is not black and white and there is no definitive right or wrong.  What we do want is for you to be informed about the effects that alcohol can have on your body and for you to make the best decision for you.

If you do choose to enjoy alcoholic beverages we encourage you to follow the guidelines for moderation.  The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans define moderation as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.  Examples of one drink are 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, and 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.

The Mayo Clinic advises that while drinking alcohol may offer some health benefits, if you don't currently drink, don't start drinking for the possible health benefits.  Some of the health benefits that have been linked to moderate drinking include a reduced risk of developing heart disease, reduced risk of dying from a heart attack, and possibly reduced risk of diabetes, stroke, and gallstones. 

Since many of you have stated goals of losing weight and/or improving body composition, it is important to understand the effects of alcohol on your metabolism.  Alcohol contains "empty calories" meaning it has no nutritional value.  Furthermore, your body cannot store alcohol so it must go to work immediately to metabolize alcohol which can have a detrimental effect on other metabolic processes.  Then, of course, there is the consideration of the number of calories in those drinks.  Some higher calorie drinks can contain 500 or more calories.  If you are on a maintenance diet of 2000 calories per day to maintain your current weight that is 25% of your daily intake!

The decision to include or exclude alcoholic beverages is personal, and goes beyond dietary decisions.  However, when you do make choices about specific foods or drinks, we believe that eliminating all the things you enjoy leads to a feeling of deprivation that ultimately leads to failure.  Whatever changes you do make must be maintainable as a lifestyle change in order to be successful.  S.M.A.R.T. Fitness participants can visit the members page at www.smartfitnessaz.com for healthier drink choices.