Are alcohol calories more important than you think?

We’ve all heard of the infamous “beer belly” which makes us associate alcohol with weight gain, but what you may not know is that there could be more to alcohol hindering your fat loss goals than just the number of additional calories.  The calories consumed from alcohol can have a major impact on the amount of fat your body burns.  

When you drink alcohol, it gets first priority for energy needs in the body.  The body metabolizes alcohol primarily in the liver, breaking it down into acetate. The acetate is then converted into usable fuel to satisfy energy needs of the body. This means that calories from the alcohol are used for energy before other sources can be burned, leaving little room for fats and carbohydrates, which will then be redirected for storage if they are not needed.  Since acetate is readily available as an energy source, the body does not need to burn off stored fat for energy, causing an overall decrease in fat burning. The liver prioritizes metabolizing alcohol over burning off stored fat. 

In addition to inhibiting the amount of fat your body burns, drinking too much alcohol can also lead to weight gain due to its high caloric content. Alcohol contains seven calories per gram and is considered a source of “empty” calories. Factor in the additional calories from the drink, it can add up pretty quickly if we’re not careful. Alcohol also reduces inhibitions, which can contribute to drinking more than we planned. It also has the potential to increase your appetite and lead to cravings for unhealthy high-calorie foods, which can further contribute to weight gain or impede weight loss.

While I’m not advocating becoming a teetotaler since I like to focus on small, realistic adjustments we can work into our lives, it’s important to remember that consuming too much alcohol can drastically hamper your efforts to burn stored fat and lose weight. If your goal is to lose or maintain a healthy weight, cutting back on alcohol may be what you need to get there. Additionally, opting for lower-calorie alcohol such as light beer, hard seltzer or vodka-soda can help reduce the number of alcohol calories that you consume.

Since consuming too many alcohol calories can inhibit the amount of fat your body burns and make it difficult to achieve lasting weight loss, reducing your alcohol intake is key if you want to reach your fitness goals. Staying educated, being mindful, and having a plan before you drink can help you stay on track. Stay tuned for a comparison of common drinks and their caloric intake so you can make the best decisions this holidays season.