Alcohol Calories Ignored!

KitTheRoadie

Hi folks, the BBC are running a story at the moment about dieters ignoring the calories in alcohol and the effect that can have on their weight loss.

I thought I'd post the link so all my MFP peeps could read it - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20874204

There's also a link in there to a calorie counter where it shows you how many calories say a glass of wine has, and how much exercise you'd need to do to burn off those drinks. It's here for your convenience - http://www.wcrf-uk.org/cancer_prevention/health_tools/alcohol_calorie_calculator.php

I know alcohol calories are empty (not nutritional) and sometimes I log them sometimes I don't, that's just a personal preference.

Happy New Year all! :bigsmile:

RosscoBoscko

Think you'd have to be pretty stupid to ignore calories in alcohol when trying to diet as they're obviously gonna be there. Not saying that about the approach you take though as you clearly know they're there you just don't choose to log them, but if people are dieting and wondering why not losing weight if they are not monitoring alcohol calorie intake then what do they expect, nothing we put in apart from water is going to be calorie free, that should be obvious. It always amazes me how many people don't realise these things!!

squankmuffin

I remember when I found out how many calories were in Jagermeister. Put me right off!

I include everything, because it all adds up. I can see why people might not on "cheat days", if your mind works that ways. But if you regularly drink you want to be recording, I'd imagine.

andiechick

I stopped drinking so much years ago when I was doing weight watchers and I realised how many calories I 'wasted' on booze. I'd much rather eat my allowance, so now I only really drink once a month when I have a night out with the hubby, although I have to be honest I don't add what I drink to my diary, lol!!!

daz_automatic

It really does make you think doesn't it? A large glass of wine (or two choccie biccies) would take a 30 minute brisk walk to burn off! :sad:

squankmuffin

I know a pub that is 15 minutes away. If I walk there and back and have one glass, am I even? :devil:

RosscoBoscko

Sounds like a good plan. just walk home and back after every glass and could have more!!

Sweatinglikeapigtolooklikeafox

Someone ran a story where girls/women were not eating so that they could go out and drink without the worry of calories.
Have never done that! but it explains why I gained so much weight at University.

phoebs16

Hi, for me....

I've got to contend with alot of stress going on around the family at the moment, so whilst I'm not ignoring the fact that I'd be better off without the alcohol calories. I kinda need the odd glass of wine to help de-stress a little. I can't afford to go out, and drink the cheapest wine there is going so not that naughty, and whilst it comes in at 165 calories a glass, that's only a little more than some snacks.

squankmuffin

Someone ran a story where girls/women were not eating so that they could go out and drink without the worry of calories.

I read that. Quite apart from the eating disorder / drinking on empty stomach / binge drinking concerns, switching all your calories to one or two days of the week is not a good way to lose weight.

Eep!

RosscoBoscko

Hi, for me....

I've got to contend with alot of stress going on around the family at the moment, so whilst I'm not ignoring the fact that I'd be better off without the alcohol calories. I kinda need the odd glass of wine to help de-stress a little. I can't afford to go out, and drink the cheapest wine there is going so not that naughty, and whilst it comes in at 165 calories a glass, that's only a little more than some snacks.

Thats fine tho, you take it into acoount and plan for it, its the people that somehow think it doesnt count who are the problem/have the problem!

Sweatinglikeapigtolooklikeafox

I am planning on a cheat day this month (Partners birthday with 6 very drunk blokes) and then I probably won't drink much till August

chervil6

luckily i dont really drink alcohol any more , i decided i hated the hangovers and the losing of the next day

and yes i do know i can drink sensibly , but when out with friends it can be hard to .........

squankmuffin

I think we can credit Phoebs as being sensible enough to not use glasses like this:



Editing to clarify that this /\ is a full size brandy bottle and a huge glass, not a mini brandy bottle. Ha ha!

I have to remind myself what pub measures are. :laugh:

AverageUkDude

I only drink on special occasions and holidays anyway, both of which i tend not too count on, I just go by what seems sensible.

phoebs16

Lol Squankmuffin! What a glass that would be! Glad to say I haven't seen any glasses that size ;o)

sijomial

I pre-log my alcohol calories early in the day when I know I'm going out - makes you realise how much you have to exercise to balance it out.
3 pints of cider 600 calories, 50g of roasted cashews 318 calories.
918 calories is a good workout and the cider tastes much better knowing you have "earned" it.

rfsatar

I remember when I found out how many calories were in Jagermeister. Put me right off!

I include everything, because it all adds up. I can see why people might not on "cheat days", if your mind works that ways. But if you regularly drink you want to be recording, I'd imagine.

Hmmm it sure wouldn't be the cals in Jagermeister that put me off... but Skittle Bombs.. well that's another story!

rfsatar

I know a pub that is 15 minutes away. If I walk there and back and have one glass, am I even? :devil:

Only if you walk with extremely high knees on the way...

slofitness1978

Thanks for this information, it's really interesting and has certainly opened my eyes!