Did you know a boozy night out could add as much to women’s waistlines as a fast food binge?
Take a look at my thoughts I shared with The Herald Sun on alcohol as a hidden source of weight gain.
Did you know a boozy night out could add as much to women’s waistlines as a fast food binge?
Take a look at my thoughts I shared with The Herald Sun on alcohol as a hidden source of weight gain…
A BOOZY night out could add as much to women’s waistlines as a fast food binge, with the booming popularity of kilojoule-laden cocktails, spirits and cider causing “spare tyres”.
Alcohol binges were a hidden source of weight gain, with some drinkers consuming the equivalent of buckets of chips, burgers or doughnuts in an evening, the Herald Sun reported.
Dietitian Melanie McGrice said half a bottle of wine had about the same kilojoules as a greasy fast food burger.
“I am seeing more young women who exercise regularly, drink heavily once a week and have an otherwise healthy diet and are wondering why they are putting on the kilos,” Ms McGrice said.
“Many people, men and women, are unaware that alcohol is the second biggest nutrient contributing to weight gain after fat.”
Alcohol contained 29kJ per gram, more than protein and carbohydrates. Fat contains 37kJ per gram.
Australians lured by discounts and cheaper champagne and foreign wine due to the strong local dollar are splurging record amounts at bottle shops.
They spent $823.4 million at liquor outlets last November alone, an increase of 8.7 per cent on a year earlier, latest Bureau of Statistics data reveals.
CommSec economist Savanth Sebastian said liquor was the second strongest retail growth category behind flowers, antiques and stationery for the month.
VicHealth manager of nutrition Julie Woods urged drinkers to steer clear of creamy cocktails, heavy beers and spirits mixed with sugary soft drink.
A white Russian contains about 1545kJ, the equivalent of a bucket of chips, and a pina colada 1210kJ. Light and mid-strength beers were better than low-carb beer.
“Basically, it’s looking for lower-alcohol varieties,” Ms Woods said.
Coles Liquor brand development manager Jenny Tracey said demand had significantly increased for low-carb and lower-sugar drinks at Liquorland and 1st Choice
When mixed with products such as soda water and lime juice, spirits could be a healthier option.
Sylvia Stellma, of Southbank, said she was careful to not go overboard with alcohol.
Ashleigh Duncan, 27, of Yarra Glen, reduced her intake to help lose weight.
“I still drink wine but not as much, and I also changed what I eat,” she said.
click here for a copy of the article: http://www.news.com.au/national/the-girls-growing-grog-gut/story-e6frfkvr-1226245937858