Alcohol Calories Instead of Food?

Dieters today are less likely to cut back on alcohol calories than food calories. Why is that? Many people know that fat is bad because it contains 9 calories per gram. But alcohol is next on the list, with 7 calories per gram. The perceived benefits of alcohol (“red wine is good for the heart”) and the delusion that “liquids don’t count” seem to tip the decision to cut back on food, not alcohol. The term “liquid diet” never had a more deserving meaning than it does with these new findings. Today, both genders seem to be preoccupied with losing weight. However, women have more difficulty than men in this department and drinking won’t help.  Alcohol has no nutritional value, so they are consuming empty calories while complaining about their waistlines. Why are women so reluctant to give up alcohol? In today’s society, women are expected to be full-time moms, have a career, be the matriarch of the family while experiencing very little stress and frustration. The women who open a bottle of wine at the end of the day to unwind think that it’s better than a slice of chocolate cake. Alcohol helps take the edge off and its initial effects relax the body. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, unwinding may turn to binge drinking, which is defined as 4 drinks at a time for women.  Binge drinking alcohol is linked to other health complications, like diabetes and blood pressure issues, not to mention other problems that may occur while drunk. Losing weight by cutting out alcohol may be better for you and a slice of chocolate cake may be healthier. Did you ever swap alcohol for food? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook and include how you overcame your alcohol addiction.