Ever wonder if alcohol is sabotaging your weight loss goal? The answer is yes, it probably is, even in ways you may not think… for instance a recent client reduced her alcohol intake and her sleep dramatically improved with no more insomnia or middle-of-the-night anxiety. Lack of sleep is a big issue (among many) contributing to stalled weight loss; going to show that everything is connected in our body. Her motto is “Less Fiesta, More Siesta!” in case that catchy saying helps you make changes yourself. 

Beyond sleep, here are the top three reasons that alcohol could be causing you to gain weight.

It's a Toxin

Your liver converts alcohol (ethanol) into a toxic compound called acetaldehyde. Your liver also breaks down fat. When you drink, your liver is too busy metabolizing the alcohol and dealing with the toxin to also break down fat. This will not only put a halt to fat loss, but it will also increase fat storage.

It Leads to Eating More

Let's face it— most of us get the munchies by the second or third drink, and you're probably not going to chow down on veggies and guacamole, instead nachos or pizza sound pretty tasty. Not only does alcohol make you want to eat, it also causes you to overeat once the food is in front of you.

It's Full of Sugar & Empty Calories

Alcohol contains seven calories per gram. It’s not all about calories, but if you are consuming an excess of empty calories, that will lead to weight gain. While many spirits don't contain carbohydrates, beer and sweet wine definitely do. The carbohydrates from beer and wine, especially the sweet stuff, will spike your blood sugar, which leads to fat storage. If you are having spirits such as vodka or gin, consider what you are mixing it with. For example, many people order a gin and tonic thinking it's a healthier choice; however, a standard gin and tonic contains about 11 grams of sugar (2.75 tsp sugar). Whoa! Alcohol really has the potential to send your blood sugar skyrocketing.

Moral of the story? Alcohol is probably sabotaging your weight loss goals and may even lead to weight gain. Plus, I didn’t even touch on how alcohol negatively impacts your sleep as mentioned above, and lost sleep is a big detriment to weight loss goals. Now I'm not saying you need to give up alcohol completely, but just know it's going to make it harder to hit your goals. So by now you may be regretting reading this post but fret not, follow these tips to safely enjoy alcohol while keeping progress on your weight loss goals.

If you are going to drink follow these tips:

• Drink in moderation. Keep it to a few drinks a week. A good rule of thumb is to avoid alcohol during weekdays.
• What you eat prior to drinking is very important. Make sure to eat a healthy, balanced meal of real protein, carbohydrates and fat before you start drinking. Also, have some healthy food available for after you start drinking. This will prevent you from being tempted to order a pizza or having your designated driver go through the drive through on the way home.
• Hydrate! Drink one to two glasses of water for each alcoholic beverage.
• Drink dry wine (red is best) or clear spirits. This will help you avoid the extra carbs and sugar, and red wine does contain a small amount of antioxidants.
• Avoid sugary mixes; try club soda with a lime or use flavored sparkling water as a mixer instead.
• If you’re out in a social situation, order your alcoholic beverage along with a big glass of water, and drink both slowly to avoid frequent refills and the tendency to automatically drink what’s in front of you. Many people find themselves ordering a drink only because other people are. If that’s the case, is it really worth it?
• Don’t keep extra alcohol at home, out of sight (and availability) often means out of mind.

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