It impacts our decision-making, lowers our metabolism, produces additional stress, and traps us in an unhealthy cycle of binge eating and lounging. A less extreme version of substituting alcohol for food when attempting to lose weight is to eliminate does liquor make u gain weight carbohydrates from one’s diet, and to consume wine instead. Several years ago we had dinner with an acquaintance who refused to take any bread from the breadbasket because he was on a diet, and lectured us on the evils of carbohydrates.

Bottom Line on Alcohol and Weight Gain

Sleep deprivation, whether from lack of sleep or impaired sleep, can lead to an imbalance in the hormones related to hunger, satiety, and energy storage. Research suggests that alcohol can lead to increased periods of wakefulness during sleep cycles. However, the effects of alcohol surpass even social drinking etiquette. When your body is using alcohol as a primary source of energy, the excess glucose and lipids end up, unfortunately for us, as adipose tissue, or fat. This means that they provide your body with calories but contain very little nutrients. Here are eight ways alcohol can impede your weight loss and what you should drink instead.

• However, if you drink a lot of beer or binge drink regularly then you are at a very high risk of belly fat gain, as well as various other serious health problems.
• Talk with a doctor if you’re finding it hard to limit your alcohol intake or if you have questions.
• The phenomenon of “mommy wine culture,” for example, has made it seem normal for women to drink large amounts of wine to cope with stress—or just to socialize.
• This indicates that beer drinking doesn’t specifically put weight on your belly.

The Truth About Alcohol And Weight Gain

Consuming foods and drinks high in sugar can quickly lead to weight gain. So, if you’re eating pizza or even a light salad with your cocktail, the calories from that food get stored as fat instead of burned for energy. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-relapse-signs-symptoms-stages-stats/ Opt for low-calorie options like light beer, and skip mixed drinks with a lot of liqueur, juice, and syrup. Ensure you eat a hearty meal before going out, and keep healthy snacks on hand if you get hungry.

Here’s How To Clean Up Your Diet Now That You’re Sober

However, if you’re talking about flavored or infused vodkas that come pre-mixed with juices and other added sugars and sweeteners, that can lead to weight gain. With almost the same amount of calories as pure fat, drinking alcohol can mean you put on weight.1 And if you’re putting on weight overall, it can show as a ‘beer belly’. Take a 2018 study published in the journal Obesity, which examined data from 4,901 overweight or obese individuals with Type 2 diabetes who had participated in a yearslong weight loss program. One group received intensive lifestyle interventions, and was told about the number of calories in alcohol.

Alcohol and Aging

But ultimately, alcohol must find its way to the liver, which is the only organ that knows what to do with it. “In these cases, it is a natural occurrence and should not be a cause for concern,” said Dr. Drobot. Other causes that are easy to fix before they have negative effects include eating more salt and dehydration. While everyone’s body stores fat differently, it’s generally stored in the stomach, hips, thighs, and arms. According to registered dietitian Catherine Rall, one of the big reasons our bodies hold on to water is to maintain the chemical balance in our bodies. What’s more, studies have shown that the amount of alcohol you consume and how frequently you consume it also matter when it comes to your waistline.

Calories in wine

It’s used by medical professionals to assess your risk for alcohol dependence. So yes, it’s possible to gain weight from alcohol, but it’s not inevitable. This may all sound as if alcohol is ruining your chances of that beach body. But fear not — watching your weight doesn’t necessarily mean having to cut alcohol entirely out of your diet.

If you’re trying to lose weight, it turns out one of the BEST things you can do is stop drinking alcohol. All of these can lead to long-term weight gain and contribute to the bloating and digestive issues that cause weight gain after a night of drinking. Still, these factors do contribute to a longer-term connection between alcohol and weight gain. Beer, hard cider, sugary wine – they can all pack a powerful caloric punch. Liquor is generally lower in calories, but here’s the thing about that. Your social anxiety isn’t the only thing that alcohol inhibits.

You’ve been eating healthier and exercising, so what could it be? If you’ve experienced fluctuations in your weight, you might be wondering if you’ve actually gained body fat. This isn’t always the case — and if your weight gain happens quickly and comes with puffiness and bloating, it’s likely water weight. To minimize your risk of gaining weight, make sure to keep your alcohol intake within the recommended limits and lead a healthy, active lifestyle. Drinking beer can cause weight gain of any type — including belly fat. The best way to get rid of your beer belly is to reduce your alcohol intake, exercise regularly and improve your diet.

Alcohol can negatively affect your sleep

If you’re watching your waistline, many lower-calorie mixers keep the flavor intact—try seltzer water or light tonic, or sip yours neat with just a splash of club soda or lime juice. Drinking pre-mixed spirits will expose you to less alcohol overall and, as such, fewer toxins in the body. But remember that these drinks are still high in sugar, so it might not be the best choice if you’re trying to lose weight.