printTop Tips for Alcohol
Although you're on a diet, it doesn't mean that you can't drink alcohol. It just means that you need to choose your alcoholic drink wisely!
Safe weekly alcohol limits
- 14 units for men & women
1 unit = half a pint of beer, half a standard (175ml) glass of wine, standard single pub measure of spirits (25ml).
Use diet or slim-line mixers. Fruit juices, for example orange juice, are high in calories and can be replaced by sugar-free squash.
Avoid cocktails which contain milk or cream, such as Pina Colada. Many "fruity" cocktails and alcopops are made with fruit juices and they often have sugary syrups added and so are very calorific.
Alternate each alcoholic drink with a non-alcoholic drink (such as a diet soft drink or some soda water with a slice of lime). Cut the calorie content of wine, by diluting it with half of diet-lemonade or soda water.
Try not to drink on an empty stomach. Food in the stomach slows down the absorption of alcohol.
An ideal pre-drinking meal is one which contains adequate starchy carbohydrate (for example bread, pasta, rice, potatoes) and a source of protein (such as ham, egg or tuna), for example a wholemeal ham salad sandwich.
Swap regular beers for light beers such as Bud Light or Coors Light. These contain approximately 50 calories less per 330ml bottle.
Check your alcohol intake over time...
Food Diary -> My Food Reports -> My Alcohol Intake
Or for this week...
Food Diary -> Week View -> Alcohol Summary
