Experts have advised that those who are watching their weight should pay closer attention to how much alcohol they drink, since it is second only to fat in terms of calorie content.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), alcohol makes up nearly 10% of total calorie intake among drinkers. Therefore, having a large glass of wine will cost you the same 178 calories as eating two chocolate digestive biscuits, and it will take you more than a half hour’s brisk walk to burn off.
Also, recent reports have shown that “people are unaware of calories in drinks and don’t include them when calculating their daily consumption.” Unlike food, alcoholic drinks have very little or no nutritional value.
The ‘empty calories’ in drinks are often forgotten or ignored by dieters, says the WCRF. Kate Mendoza, head of health information at WCRF, said: “Recent reports have shown that people are unaware of calories in drinks and don’t include them when calculating their daily consumption.”
Therefore, men need around 2,500 calories a day, and women around 2,000. “Cutting down on drinking can have a big effect on weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight,” said Ms Mendoza. “It can also reduce your risk of cancer, she said.