I have had many questions from clients recently about alcohol and a healthy lifestyle. Most of you know there are a few benefits to alcohol in moderation. Indulging in a glass of wine or a beer occasionally has proven health benefits. Most likely you have read about it’s positive influence on heart health, but there are other benefits too. Here is an example of one study touting the benefits of moderate consumption of alcohol. Berkley: Alcohol beyond heart health
What is important to keep in mind is how your cocktails are metabolized in your body. Simply think of all alcoholic drinks as carbohydrates in liquid form. Here is an interesting chart from “That Sugar Guide” to help reveal the true metabolic value in some favored cocktails in terms of teaspoons of sugar.
To clarify further, moderate consumption of alcohol translates into 1-2 servings for men and 1 serving for women per day. Serving size means 8oz. beer, 4 oz of wine, meaning 1/2 of the serving in most restaurants. If you are trying to watch your wasteline, I recommend 1 serving per week. Even though this news may be disappointing to some, it does not mean that alcohol is off the table completely for anyone. Celebrate, CHEERS!
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