For those of us who are trying to eat healthily or who are on a diet we often try to focus on reducing the number of calories we consume through food, but how many of us actually pay attention to the number of calories we consume through alcohol?
Anyone on a calorie controlled diet knows how important it is to keep track of the number of calories consumed on a daily basis, although many of us are unaware of that alcohol can in fact be extremely high in calories and can therefore affect our health.
Alcohol contains what are referred to as “empty calories” these are calories which are commonly found in high energy foods although have little or no nutritional benefit these unused calories are then stored as fat. But alcohol doesn’t just affect your waistline and your general health and wellbeing it can also play havoc with your mental and emotional health.
Just one large glass of white wine can count for 150 calories but if its sparkling wine just that one glass can contain as many as 180 calories. If a large glass of red wine is more your thing you could be consuming up 160 calories per glass and up to 170 for a glass of rose wine.
For the average women just 3 large glasses of white wine can account for almost one quarter of a female’s daily recommended calorie intake!
A glass of wine is, of course not forbidden but too much alcohol can be bad for you and your health, it can also be extremely high in calories too so watch out!
For more information on the number of calories in alcohol take a look at the Love Life Alcohol Calorie Counter.
At the end of a long day, a glass of wine or maybe even a bottle of wine can help you take the edge off of a hectic day at the office. Or perhaps you’re the type of person to crack open a bottle beer and spend the rest of the evening in front of the TV chilling out. Sound familiar?
If alcohol is your tipple after a stressful day at the office, maybe it’s time to cut it out and consider the alternatives. Many people are aware of the negative effects alcohol can have on the way you act when you drink too much, and how it may affect your physical appearance but not many people are aware of the damage alcohol can do you to your mental health.
Despite, after a few drinks most people appear to be more confident and positive alcohol actually supresses brain activity and drinking in excess can have a very different impact on your mental health.
Drinking too much alcohol can lead to anxiety and depression as well as affect your memory and brain function. In more serious cases too much alcohol can lead to self-harm, psychosis and even suicide.
If you’re worried about the effects alcohol could be having on your mental health and general wellbeing then seek help from your Doctor or local GP. Alternatively you could contact charities that can help such as Drink Aware.
There are many side effects related to alcohol some of which have more serious consequences than others.
Alcohol can affect your sleep, which is probably why you feel so tired in the morning after a night out. It can also affect your appearance and lead to dark, tired looking eyes, spots on your face and leave you feeling bloated to.
Too much alcohol can also leave your smelling pretty nasty! Approx. 10% of alcohol leaves the body through your sweat, urine and your breath, which is why people can generally tell if you’ve been drinking the night before.
Alcohol can also harm your stomach, your heart, affect your fertility, ensure you gain weight and has been linked to some types of cancers. But if you really needed anything more to put you off alcohol, it might be worth knowing that alcohol is addictive. So those couple of glasses of wine you have every night after work, is that because you want a glass or need a glass?
First things first – not that we’ve ever heard of anyone doing this – but you should most certainly avoid working out after a drink or whilst drunk! Quite simply it’s dangerous. Your judgement and vision is impaired and if you’re really over the limit you’re not safe to be operating gym equipment!
In all seriousness though, alcohol will more than likely affect your fitness. Have you ever tried to go for a run after a heavy weekend? Well it’s ten times more difficult and because you’ve been drinking your workout will actually just be undoing the damage of all the calories you’ve consumed through your heavy drinking session.
You should avoid working out on a hangover as your body is already seriously dehydrated, which is partly why you feel so bad. But if you’re really suffering with the post drinking guilt and last night’s kebab is just playing on your mind, make sure you drink plenty of water to help rehydrate before, during and after your session.
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