Alcohol?

Why exactly is alcohol bad if you're trying to lose weight, is it just because its empty calories?

In my opinion, not only is it a waste of calories, but it makes me want to snack as I drink. In worst case scenarios, when I used to drink a lot, I would eat a lot at the end of the night to avoid getting sick/hangover. Thats why I have cut out drinking until I am at my goal weight....I don't need any interference :)

Kelleigh pretty much summed it up for me.

I havent given up drinking but I do stick to vodka and diet coke, I dont generally eat chocolate etc.. so having a drink with friends once a week is my indulgence. As long as you stick to low cal drinks I dont see theres a problem.

1) empty calories
2) makes you want food
3) lowers your ability to resist that food/make healthy choices
4) often is SERVED with junk food in social situations for a double whammy
5) dehydrates you
6) hard to tell how much you're getting (at a bar)

I love beer and think nothing of having 8 pints on a Saturday which equates to around 1440 calories alone. I am however stood up the whole time, and walk home (usually) the 2 mile trip, so change the lifestyle to suit the crime (for want of a word).

"everything in moderation"... and drink water while you drink 

Alcohol is sugar.  In your body it turns straight into fat.  It cannot be used for energy, so you can't burn it off by exercising.  Would you drink a glass of sugar water?  It lowers your body's ability to burn off other calories as well, reduces your energy, puts stress on your liver, and inhibits the process of reducing toxins in the bloodstream.  Over time, regular drinking (more than two or three a week) can have severe impacts on all of the body's systems.  It breaks down the collagen in the skin, which can lead to increased cellulite, it puts strain on the cardiovascular system, reducing blood flow to your muscles.  Not to mention one out of 4 people will develop alcoholism even if they are not genetically predisposed.

If you feel like you need to consume alcohol for social reasons, try to stick to dry red wines with lower sugar content and higher levels of heart healthy tannins.  Alternatively, Ultra Light beers.  And never feel obligated to finish a drink just because you bought it.

Alcohol is bad for weight-loss because it's not a food.  Neither is it just a bunch of calories and 'carbs'... it's a toxic drug cleverly disguised as a tasty drink.  It interferes with liver function... the liver can't metabolise fat and alcohol at the same time.  It's alters the mind.... reducing willpower.  It's an appetite stimulant....  street vendors and kebab shops would go out of business otherwise.  It dehydrates....

what about wine? is wine ok? or is it still empty calories that turn to fat that cant be used for energy and therefore can't be burned off...jadepunkchick, what do you think? 

"In your body it turns straight into fat.  It cannot be used for energy, so you can't burn it off by exercising."

This statement is not true. 

I have read studies that say that an excess of alcohol can lower your body's ability to burn fat by 30%

yeah I always thought you can burn off most anything you eat and if you cant the body disposes of it... which one is it? and is wine ok?

I had alcohol this weekend and I lost 50% weight than I do on a normal week, with roughly the same cal intake + cals of the alcohol

ok...so how much would constitute "regular drinking" that is harmful? Although alcohol in general is harmful, I mean like is once a week okay? how many calories are in hard drinks like vodka?

Vodka is estimated at 60 to 70 calories an ounce but a typical shot or drink at a bar is 1.5 ounces or 90 calories not counting calories in the mixer.

Drinking alcohol is killing my weight loss. I was way down in weight and really happy about it. Then I started drinking again. Now I am up 30 lbs. Every time I drink I end up totally pigging out because I have deprived myself all week. I really need some helpful suggestions. I need to stop the cycle!

I feel if you want a drink have a drink or ten, but, you must remember it will probably make you want to eat more and you will have less discipline.  If you can't fit the calories in to your diet then don't do it....drinking to me is no worse than eating junk!  Know your limits BEFORE you start drinking and if you can't stick to it then don't drink...SIMPLE.

So alcohol isn't exactly health food, but there are a lot of people who do manage to partake of it moderately and lead healthy lifestyles, even lose weight. It is not a sugar, it is an alcohol. It is often mixed with sugary things, but itself is not a sugar, they are two different chemicals. Sugars can get turned into alcohols by some bacteria or yeasts, a process known as fermentation.

Unless you have some medical reason or a history of substance abuse, there's no reason not to enjoy a drink or two occasionally. I don't find that I eat a lot more than normal after drinking, but then again, when I drink, it's usually one or two with dinner, and I don't otherwise deprive myself of calories, so I'm not that hungry.

As far as regular drinking, I think the definitions of "safe" by the USDA is no more than 1 drink avg/day for women and no more than 2 for men. The UK definitions are somewhat higher. Different sources say vastly different things. Hope this helps

of course too much alcohol is bad for you...however, if you can refrain from those late night binges after drinking...i think alcohol makes me skinny because i really have to "go" in the morning if you know what i mean.

this is my biggest dilemma with my diet. for now i've made a rule that i can only drink up to two nights a week. i love beer but i have been drinking whiskey until the end of the night and then i'll have a beer if i still want to. but drinking does make it harder for me to stay on track the next day, mainly in the morning. if i get over those bagel cravings early and eat fruit and oatmeal then im good for the day.