Red Wine - Friend or Foe

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dsmonteith
dsmonteith Posts: 65
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Ok, what is the deal with Red Wine? My goal is to lose about 15 more lbs. I've read that Red Wine is a powerful antioxidant but I've also read that alcohol can hurt your weight loss efforts. I'm not sure which school of thought to go with. I'd love some other input! So, what do each of you think?

Replies

  • BL_Coleman
    BL_Coleman Posts: 324 Member
    Red wine is about 150 calories for a normal size glass or 100 for around 5 oz. It is good for you in moderation , however the calories will still count against you. As a red wine drinker i try to limit my wine to 1 glass a day or under b/c otherwise the calories I believe will out weigh the benefits.
  • ATT949
    ATT949 Posts: 1,245 Member
    Alcohol is metabolized as soon as it passes through the stomach/small intestinal wall (can't remember which) so, to put it very loosely, it gets burned off before the duck confit that might accompany it. In that sense, it can hinder your weight loss.

    When I was losing weight, I had less than 3 oz of wine and that was at the end of a wine buying trip (I tasted 64 wines and the last one was so good, I had to drink some of it). Now that I'm in maintenance, I consider wine like any other food in terms of calories and impact on weight.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    http://www.ehow.com/way_5651804_alcohol-weight-loss.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask


    Calories and Health

    One of the biggest reasons that alcohol gets in the way of dieters is that it has a lot of empty calories. Many spirits and wines are also combined with sugary mixtures, sodas and other mixers that add even more calories to the alcoholic drink--a Long Island ice tea or pina colada can have 300 to 400 calories or more in a single serving. Alcohol has no nutritional value, and some beverages, such as beer, are also loaded with carbohydrates.

    Alcohol is also metabolized differently from other substances, and it affects the way your body handles carbohydrates and fat. When alcohol is present, your body starts to process it right away instead of focusing on the things it would normally work to break down, like sugars and dietary fat. Those get converted into body fat instead.

    Excessive alcohol use can cause problems for the liver and have a dehydrating effect, making it difficult for yourbody to rest. A body that operates normally and efficiently is important for healthy weight loss.
    Dietary Choices

    In addition to the calories and negative effects alcohol can have on the body, it can also affect the way you eat. It may stimulate the appetite, causing you to eat more than you would without the effects of alcohol. Alcohol also tends to lower a person's inhibitions, so after a drink you might not choose the foods you normally would while trying to lose weight, and you may also eat an increased amount of food instead of practicing moderation and portion control.

    You can enjoy an occasional drink or night out, but if you are dieting, limit the frequency of your drinking, and make smarter choices such as choosing lighter beers, mixing alcohol with low-calorie beverages and avoiding drinks that are especially high in calories. It is also a good idea to eat before you start drinking, so you choose healthier foods, can more easily moderate your eating and will not be drinking on an empty stomach. If you have underlying health conditions, or questions about whether alcohol consumption is okay for you, talk with your doctor to be safe.


    Read more: Alcohol and weight loss | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5651804_alcohol-weight-loss.html#ixzz1l4genOQb
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Wine is a simple sugar that is quickly converted to glucose which increases insulin levels. Not a positive for weight loss and cravings. If you enjoy a little, proceed with caution but enjoy. Balance it out with protien and complex carbs at the tiem you consume it and you'll balance out your glucose a little. If you really want antioxidants, there are many less risky ways to get them. Say blueberries for example. or maybe some brussel sprouts?
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    Red wine is my friend~
  • jenny031477
    jenny031477 Posts: 53 Member
    Red wine is my friend~

    Haha! Ditto!

    Everything in moderation, right? I enjoy a glass or 2 a couple of times a week.
  • FORIANN
    FORIANN Posts: 273 Member
    I will put in some cardio time for a good bottle of red wine. :)
  • Sl1ghtly
    Sl1ghtly Posts: 855 Member
    Ok, what is the deal with Red Wine? My goal is to lose about 15 more lbs. I've read that Red Wine is a powerful antioxidant but I've also read that alcohol can hurt your weight loss efforts. I'm not sure which school of thought to go with. I'd love some other input! So, what do each of you think?

    It's all about dosage. Kerosene is safe to drink, if taken in extremely small amounts.. but if you turn up a glass full you'll probably crap out stuff that's supposed to stay in. Drink within reason, and you'll be fine.
  • dsmonteith
    dsmonteith Posts: 65
    You've lost 107 pounds??? Wow! Congratulations! That is an amazing accomplishment!
  • ATT949
    ATT949 Posts: 1,245 Member
    It looks like I'm pretty fortunate about losing weight.

    The hard part for me in losing weight was deciding to do it. Once I made that decision, I made a plan and executed it (Army officer training). I wanted to lose more weight in January so I went back on my diet and lost about 8 pounds. For me, it's just "Sit there, don't eat that." and the weight comes off.
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