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Alcohol and Soft Drinks

 

Its not just food that contains calories, drinks do too. Alcohol and some soft drinks can contain a surprising amount of calories & sugars and it's easy to consume large quantities ruining all the hard work you've achieved in cutting your food intake and exercising.

Alcohol

To lose weight, you need to reduce your alcohol intake. Alcohol contains about 70 calories per serving. These are 'empty calories', or energy without any substantial vitamins or minerals. Additionally, alcohol may directly promote fat storage by slowing fat and carbohydrate digestion and increasing appetite. Alcohol can also give you the urge to eat snacks, usually the wrong sort, high in calories, fat and salt.

It logically follows that to lose weight, you need to reduce your alcohol consumption.

How can I reduce my alcohol intake?

  • Eat before you drink alcohol: it fills you up, slowing your drinking pace
  • Drink water or a diet soft drink before drinking any alcohol and avoid salty foods while you are consuming alcohol
  • Sip alcohol slowly and put your glass down between sips
  • Intersperse your alcoholic drinks with non alcoholic drinks such as water or diet soft drinks
  • Choose light beer (not high alcohol)
  • Do not let other people 'top up' your glass and do not let peer pressure make you drink more than you want to
  • Be the designated driver

Soft Drinks

Soft drinks contribute to weight gain and cause tooth decay

Some soft drink companies claim that their products can be incorporated into a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. However most health professionals believe that soft drinks contribute to weight gain and cause teeth decay.

Soft Drinks are high in Calories & Sugars

The average soft drink contains eight teaspoons of sugar per 375ml can. So next time you are thinking about having a soft drink look at the calories on the label: you might be shocked.

Diet drinks contain far fewer calories but check the label first especially sugars.