Alcohol contains calories too!

Did you know that a pint of Lager contains the same calories as a slice of chocolate cake?

Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram and these calories have no nutritional value.

The calorie content increases with any mixers you add to your drink, such as juice or sugary soft drinks. Alcohol can also make you feel hungry, as it lowers your blood sugar levels.

Make sure you do not exceed the recommended 1-2 units a day for men and women. Revised UK C M O chief medical officer's guidelines dept of health

250 ml of red wine=140 g stir fry chicken and noodles 170 k cal
25 ml vodka=thin slice of granary bread 22 g 56-52 k cal

half pint ale 4% 284ml=85kcal 1 unit
half pint larger 4% 284 ml=94 k cal 1 unit
half pint stout 4% 284ml=85kcal 1 unit
half pint dry cider 5% 284ml=102kcal 1.5 unit
half pint sweet cider 5% 284ml=119kcal1.5 unit
WKD vodka blue 275ml 1 bottle=216kcal 1 unit
small glass red wine 125ml=85kcal 1.5 unit
small glass dry white wine 125ml=83kcal 1.5 unit
small glass sweet wine 125ml=118kcal 1.5 unit
glass of champagne 125ml=95kcal 1.5 unit
irish cream 50ml=163kcal 1 unit
sherry 50ml=58kcal 1 unit
advocat 50ml=130kcal 1 unit
port 50ml =79kcal 1 unit
vermouth sweet 50ml=76kcal 1 unit
brandy 25 ml=56kcal 1unit
gin 25ml=56kcal 1 unit
rum 25ml=56kcal 1 unit
sweet liquer 25ml= 64kcal
vodka 25ml =56kcal 1 unit
whisky 25ml=56kcal 1 unit

Visit www.carbsandcals.com for further information

Drinking too much alcohol can contribute to a number of health problems ranging from liver damage to high blood pressure and obesity.

Binge drinking (more than 4 units at any one time) is bad for your health and should be avoided. In other words you should not save up all your units for the week and drink them all in one go. (BDA Fact sheet)

Here are some simple tips to help control your drinking when you go out (BDA Fact sheet):

Plan how much you are going to drink and how much you are willing to spend
Eat your main meal before you start to drink
Avoid salty snacks such as crisps and salted nuts because these make you thirstier (as well as being high in fat and salt)
Have some non-alcoholic or low-alcoholic drinks through the evening
Always have a glass or bottle of water with you
Think about the strength of your drink ( try lower ‘ABV’, or ‘alcohol by volume)
Replace high calorie mixer for a lower calorie one
If you are a daily drinker then try introducing alcohol free days