Is Alcohol Making You Fat?

Dr. Nick Galante, M.D. - Certified Medical Doctor (M.D.) Harvard Medical School

Alcohol is important to social and personal situations.
It does not need to be excluded, but just like everything else, knowing its place and moderating it intake is key to building a leaner and healthier you.

First and foremost, alcohol is Calorie dense. Each gram has 7 Calories, almost midway between carbs/protein and fat.

That's just pure ethyl alcohol. When you add the mixing substances, you have a very Calorie dense substance.

On top of that alcohol has general detrimental effects on fat loss by inhibiting fat burning metabolic pathways, creating a favorable environment for fat storage, and decreasing testosterone production.

But again going back to the fundamental principal of Calories in and Calories out, you can enjoy alcohol. Just like all other nutrients, it must be moderate. Without going into too much detail, the scientific way to handle alcohol and weight loss is as follows: generally limit carbs and Calories on days you will be drinking. Eat a smaller and generally low carb breakfast and lunch. Then have a moderate carb dinner.

The second aspect is deciding what to drink. Avoid sugar heavy mixed drinks and instead opt for drinks based on club soda / diet soda, light beer, wine, or drinks on the rocks like bourbon. Each drink can be thought of as the equivalent of as 1-2 slices of bread.

Lastly, moderation again. Most people are familiar with the negative effects of drinking in excess. Dehydration and hangovers that can derail a planned morning workout session. Alcohol also lower inhibitions and makes it easier to cheat and overeat.

To learn more about alcohol and modify intake to Burn More Fat and Lose Weight, Click Here.