How much does occasional alcohol hurt your diet?
EricaH7
Posts: 74 Member
I have been eating healthy, but this weekend I have a bachelorette party, and the following weekend the wedding. I still plan to watch what I eat every day, including those days. But, there is a good chance I will be drinking quite a bit over these two days. Will these two days make me gain weight even though I eat healthy all week long?
0
Replies
-
If you go over your maintenance calories consistently or dramatically yes it could cause a gain. However this is only 2 days of your life. The key to special occasions is planning. Decide how many calories you'd like to allocate to alcohol in each of these weeks, for ease of math lets say 1000 for each occasion. If you create a deficit of only about 150 calories during the week preceding the event voila! you maintain and still get your party. You don't gain weight in an instant. Its totally acceptable to look at your allotted calories as a weekly average i.e. 15000 calories per week broken down by whatever split works for you.3
-
Yes you may gain, but you should drop that just as quick if you keep up your otherwise healthy eating.2
-
Thanks for the answer, I guess I always have a hard time thinking of calories on a weekly basis. I weigh daily and I always just assume the calories I don't eat at the end of the day are gone I don't know why. I have been panicking about how many calories of alcohol I am going to consume over these two days. I guess I should take a step back and see how many extra calories I have for the week I haven't consumed and see if it evens itself out.1
-
I've lost 80 lbs over the last two years, and drank most weekends. That said, I possibly could have lost it faster if I had abstained
5 -
You can probably expect a water weight increase which will show up on the scale, especially if you weigh yourself the next morning. Usually that goes away within a few days to a week. As for actual fat gain, it is possible but you'd have to eat 3500 calories OVER your TDEE every day which is quite a bit. It could also stall your weight loss depending on whether or not you end up consuming at maintenance.2
-
Another question, What is the most calorie friendly drinks to get at the bar this weekend for the bachelorette party? beer? I know everyone says vodka, but usually that would be mixed with soda so that would be just as bad as beer wouldn't it?0
-
Shots!2
-
Vodka...with water and lemon!
Choose light booze...the clearer the better....beer bad..vodka good!0 -
JustMissTracy wrote: »Choose light booze...the clearer the better....beer bad..vodka good!
Jack Daniels better...
4 -
JustMissTracy wrote: »Choose light booze...the clearer the better....beer bad..vodka good!
Jack Daniels better...
Why aren't we friends yet?!!! Good choice!1 -
Alcohol affects people differently. In my experience, while losing weight, it will temporarily stall my progress or may cause me to gain weight. Therefore, I have to look at alcohol consumption as MORE than just additional calories. The liver has many functions and plays a key role in weight loss by processing fat. It also processes toxins. Alcohol is a toxin that is processed by the liver. In the liver, the processing of alcohol (toxin) will take priority over other functions, including processing of fat. For me, it takes anywhere from 24 hours to several days for my liver to complete the processing of alcohol and to begin processing fat again and to get back on track with my weight loss goals after consuming alcohol.
Armed with this knowledge, there are times when I believe the occasion or the company I am with is more than worth the temporary stall in my weight loss. On other occasions, not so much.2 -
JustMissTracy wrote: »Vodka...with water and lemon!
Choose light booze...the clearer the better....beer bad..vodka good!
I have never had vodka with water. It honestly just sounds disgusting to not have something else giving it flavor. lol2 -
JustMissTracy wrote: »JustMissTracy wrote: »Choose light booze...the clearer the better....beer bad..vodka good!
Jack Daniels better...
Why aren't we friends yet?!!! Good choice!
We already are. I can spot JD lovers a mile off
2 -
Erica, I don't mean this in a bad way, honestly, but would you just relax and enjoy your party this weekend! You'll be fine, you won't be obse overnight from a night out. Just enjoy yourself and get right back on track the next day.
"naturally" Skinny people have nights out too!3 -
JustMissTracy wrote: »Vodka...with water and lemon!
Choose light booze...the clearer the better....beer bad..vodka good!
I have never had vodka with water. It honestly just sounds disgusting to not have something else giving it flavor. lol
Me too...lemon...or lime even! Sometimes just a splash of some fruity drink like Cherry 7up is nice too!0 -
Derpy_Hooves wrote: »Erica, I don't mean this in a bad way, honestly, but would you just relax and enjoy your party this weekend! You'll be fine, you won't be obse overnight from a night out. Just enjoy yourself and get right back on track the next day.
"naturally" Skinny people have nights out too!
Thanks I really needed to hear that. I have been so focused on what I eat and drink for the past month I can't stand when I go over in calories! I do need to relax and stop the obsession to have a good night.
2 -
Excess calories cause far gain, not alcohol. From comments on these forums I'd say the bigger problem is lowered inhibitions that lead to overconsumption of high calorie foods when drinking alcohol.2
-
I fall off the proverbial wagon most weekends. I like my wine. I have not gained weight but it does stall my weight loss. Many times I will drink my daily allotment of calories.
As for the most calorie friendly drinks some light beers Budweiser 55, Miller 64, Michelob Ultra etc are the lowest in calories. Ironically a pint of Guinness only has 105 calories. Gin or Vodka & diet tonic or club soda give you the calories from the alcohol which are about 80 per 1.5 ounces. You may have to bring your own diet tonic.
Another thing that helps is water. For every alcoholic drink you have, have a full glass of water, preferable a pint, in between. This will also reduce any hangover & keep you full.
Stay away from things made with juice (usually about 130 calories per 8 ounces) or soda. Especially avoid creamy things (mudslides, white russians etc.) & frozen things (pina coladas, daiquiris etc.)
Do try to dance A LOT at these events. The calorie burn from dancing will offset the calorie intake from the booze, at least a little.0 -
My go to "skinny" drink is vodka with club soda and a lime - or 2!2
-
In my experience the danger is not the alcohol but the tendency to think IDGAF about the diet after a few drinks! Relax - as long as you revert back to counting cals 2 days will not affect your progress in the long term!1
-
A couple of days of excess alcohol isn't going to impede your weight loss goals. Enjoy
0 -
Thanks for the answer, I guess I always have a hard time thinking of calories on a weekly basis. I weigh daily and I always just assume the calories I don't eat at the end of the day are gone I don't know why. I have been panicking about how many calories of alcohol I am going to consume over these two days. I guess I should take a step back and see how many extra calories I have for the week I haven't consumed and see if it evens itself out.
It takes some time to wrap your head around the concept (at least it did for me) but its actually quite liberating and for me a necessity since I am now maintaining. If I tried to hit my exact goal every day I'd go absolutely crazy but when I was losing I only considered calories per day because any day I was under was a bonus and on the rare occasion I went over it was covered in my deficit.
As far as skinny drinks, white wine is a good choice (about 110 calories per 5oz) but thats a dry version which is what I prefer. I also drink Light beer. Personally I couldn't drink a glass of vodka and water or even vodka and soda. The closest I get to that is gin and tonic or Jack and ginger which are both quite calorific I think so I mostly avoid those. And for me as others have mentioned the alcohol is a calorie issue but to add another layer its also the late night cheese and bread cravings that accompany.
All that being said 2 nights out won't ruin you. Try and be mindful but enjoy your time. If it becomes a habit worry then but for now just have fun 1 -
Alcohol hurts your diet only in the sense that it is high calorie with no nutrition. Also in the sense that if you drink enough to lower inhibitions you might decide to eat everything in sight. Other than that I don't think it matters much. Still, that first point is enough for me to cut back on it while losing weight.
The idea that having a glass of wine will somehow negate whatever calorie deficit you have is a fantasy though.0 -
There is such a thing as flavoured vodka ya know..................1
-
two things alcohol is a macro that carries calories in addition to the carbs that are in there. Secondly it is a depressant and it slows your metabolism. What I would do is enjoy the party and wedding and then get right back on the wagon. If you can't look good and enjoy life, what is it all worth. I wouldn't plan to give up on the fun things just to stay a pound or two ahead of where I am.1
-
JustMissTracy wrote: »Vodka...with water and lemon!
Choose light booze...the clearer the better....beer bad..vodka good!
I have never had vodka with water. It honestly just sounds disgusting to not have something else giving it flavor. lol
The lemon (or the lime in my case) gives it flavor.0 -
cross2bear wrote: »There is such a thing as flavoured vodka ya know..................
I have tried it. Not a fan. lol Way too strong of flavor for me! I would much rather mix regular vodka with a flavored drink.0 -
Drinking alcohol occasionally will not be a problem. If you have trouble with overeating when you drink that could be an issue, but for one weekend I wouldn't worry. Just get back on track the next week.0
-
CasperNaegle wrote: »two things alcohol is a macro that carries calories in addition to the carbs that are in there. Secondly it is a depressant and it slows your metabolism. What I would do is enjoy the party and wedding and then get right back on the wagon. If you can't look good and enjoy life, what is it all worth. I wouldn't plan to give up on the fun things just to stay a pound or two ahead of where I am.
This is what I am going to do. It just stinks looking forward and thinking I probably won't lose a pound for another 3 weeks until after these parties are over. As for everyone's comments about eating when drinking, I never have had an issue with that. I love light beer and for some reason it makes me feel full to where I don't really need to snack on anything when I am drinking. The issue is I can drink quite a few light beers in a night. I need more than a couple, unfortunately.0 -
I have an alcohol blow out every Friday which is my weigh day
This far I've lost 3lb a week
So it hasn't affected my loss
Once a week doesn't harm
You got to have a treat now and then x2
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions