Alright, it's the festive season and everyone loves to have a drink or two. But rarely does it stop at one, or two. And also, what do you do if you are on a diet? With this piece I'll tell you about some very smart drinking hacks that will help you drink without busting your diet.
Things to remember before reading this-
1) If you are well above 18% bodyfat and 'already' dieting pretty hard, stay away from drinking. No matter in what quantity, it will push you back.
2) Binge drinking is very subjective. So don't come back and blame this article!
3) Control is the key here. Just because these hacks work, doesn't mean that the alcohol you are drinking won't affect you. Alcohol consumption is detrimental for physique goals.
A Little About Alcohol And How It Messes With The Body's General WorkingAlcohol is the fourth macro nutrient but doesn't react with the body as protein, fat and carbohydrates do. Once in the system, the body considers alcohol's presence as a threat and start breaking it down to get rid of it as soon as possible. Hence, metabolizing protein, fat and carbohydrates take a back seat for the time alcohol's present in the system. Since alcohol has empty calories, its digestion doesn't yield anything productive for the body. It's also calorie dense and adds on calories way quickly than you think.
Alright man, let's get to drinking1) First Things First, Remember The Calories Your Favorite Drink Has
Drink calorie count- this is something you have to have a vague idea about. Once you know how many calories your favorite drink has, it gets way easier to keep a track of your calories. Now, unlike food, liquor isn't judged per 100ml. Instead, we are lucky to already have measurements for 30ml and 60 ml of whiskey, wine and vodka. 30 ml and 60 ml are the most common peg measurements you will get across clubs and pubs. As far as beers are concerned, calories are measured per pint.
Here's an info-graphic that details calorie count for beers, wines 80 and 90 proof liquors.
© YouTube
12 OZ = 350 ML
5 OZ = 145ML
1OZ = 30ML
4OZ = 120ML
In short, a 30 ML peg of a usual whiskey will set you back by 120 calories. So do the math!
2) Mixers Make A HUGE Difference. Diet Drinks Are Your Savior!
© YouTube
Now a lot of people do watch calories per peg but forget about the calories coming from the mixer they are using. It's actually the mixer that contributes to a majority of the calories per peg, rather than the alcohol. Always choose diet sodas and water. Diet Coke, Pepsi Black and any zero calorie energy drink are the best picks. Use as much water as possible, if you like. Stay away from regular colas and juices.
3) Calculate Calories From Your Food Over The Course Of The Day
Make sure about the calories you are eating from the food. Let's say you are presently on a 2000 calories diet. Now if you are very diligent about maintaining this number and still want to get in the alcohol, smartly cut out some food. Do it from fat or carbohydrates, not protein. Keep you protein intake steady. Don't starve yourself either. Alcohol on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster. Keep ingesting at least 30 grams of protein every 2-3 hours before you get to drinking. If you consume 2000 calories from your food and then binge drink, best believe that you are way above your calorie cap.
4) How To Pick Eatables And Snacks With Drinks
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Binge eating is very common and most people don't realize it. Stay away from calorie dense foods like peanuts and other dry fruits. I know, most people eat peanuts but that's a big mistake. Peanuts and dry fruits are calorie dense. A mere 100 grams can set you back up to 300 plus calories. They are tasty and hence, are eaten in larger quantities. In short, stay away from predominantly fat rich food. Fat is calorie dense and easily overeaten. Try and stick to baked or roasted non-vegetarian eatables. Chips and nachos are also a big no. I know this is irritating but we are trying not to blow our diet out of water here, guys!
So, there you go, I have given you the tools that will enable you to drink mindfully and have a good time during the holidays. If you are too deep into your diet or are struggling to stay in line, keep away from alcohol. Happy drinking!
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