Today we’re talking about abdominal weight gain, otherwise known as the beer belly. Beer bellies are commonly associated They say to do one too many pints at the pub and it’s true that alcohol can play a big part in weight gain. Did you know that a pint of beer contains up to 250 calories? Or, that a glass of wine contains the equivalent calories as a slice of cake?
This means that your alcohol consumption can quickly add to that pot belly. Many of us are unaware of how much it’s safe to drink. Women shouldn’t regularly exceed two to three units of alcohol per day. That’s the equivalent to one small glass of wine. Men shouldn’t exceed three to four units of alcohol per day.
That’s equivalent to one and a half pints medium strength beer. If you regularly exceed this limit, you’ll not only pile on the pounds, you’ll also be increasing your risk of a host of diseases including cancer I went to London’s business district to speak to some city workers about their drinking habits.
Hi guys.
Hi, my darling.
That’s the belly. What?
Lovely.
And you’re a regular drinker?
Indeed.
And do you ever worry about the effects of drinking on your health?
No, not at all.
No?
No. As you get older, everything drops.
Right.
You’ve got that to come, my darling.
We’ve got the two Johns here. The John that works out, and the John that doesn’t work out.
Exactly right.
How about that?
You don’t work out?
Does it look like I work out?
So the key here, probably, is moderation? A bit of drinking…
Exactly right. I’m only social drinker. I don’t drink every day, I’m just a social drinker.
Really? Yeah, well, if people buy me a drink.
If you think you’re drinking too much, here are some practical ways to cut down. Make your drinks go further. Opt for bottles of beer or half-pints instead of pints and drink them slower. Choose small glasses of wine and add soda water to make a spritzer. Eating a healthy meal before you go out can help slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream.
Keep hydrated. Hangovers are largely due to dehydration, so keep hydrated by alternating alcoholic drinks with soft drinks like sparkling water with fresh lime. Be the designated driver. By taking your car on a night out, you’ll have a good excuse to stay a teetotal. Many of us have an after-work drink to relax, but in reality, alcohol can actually make you feel even more anxious.
Try some alternative stress-busters like hitting the gym with friends, or running a bath at home and putting on some relaxing music. For more information on practical ways to cut down your alcohol intake, go to www.myfacemybody.com.
