Alcohol Awareness

Red, white, brown?  

No, I am not talking about Neapolitan ice cream but a different treat we all indulge in, alcohol.  Wine, vodka, rum, tequila, beer; everyone has a favorite.  I enjoy wine as I cook; others use a beer to relax after a long day.  The daily drink has become part of many people’s routine but what happens when 1 drink becomes 4 or 6?   April is Alcohol Awareness month and we at TruFIT want to talk a little about the effects of alcohol on your body.

THE FAT FACTOR

Drinking in moderation isn’t the problem; it’s when several drinks are consumed that the issues begin.  Alcohol temporarily keeps your body from burning fat, and causes your metabolic system to stop focusing on burning the calories from your last meal.   This occurs because calories from alcohol can’t be stored for later like food calories, making them your body’s priority.   Even worse is that research shows it especially decreases fat burn in your abdomen, hence the term “beer belly.”   So even if you are making the better choice in your alcohol i.e. wine or tequila, drinking several of them is just as detrimental to your fat loss as drinking that sugary, whip cream topped daiquiri. 

WILL POWER… WHAT’S THAT?!

Everyone who comes to TruFIT knows we don’t count calories, instead focusing on making healthy choices, but when alcohol is involved our inhibitions are weakened.   After a few drinks, foods that we would never consider eating sound delicious.   This is why Taco Bell is open till 2am!   This craving isn’t only triggered while drinking but also the next day.  Everyone wants that greasy, fatty meal to cure what ails them.  Drinking in moderation will help to stop the vicious late night, fast food binge cycle that wrecks havoc on our bodies. 

SLEEP AND RECOVERY

Every wonder why you never feel rested after a few drinks the night before? Even after your usual 6-8 hrs?  There are several reasons for this.  Many of the reasons involve some very scientific stuff about the brain and your hormones.  I am no doctor so I will leave that topic to your research.  However, alcohol contains sugar.  Sugar can keep us awake.  Pretty simple, right?!  The same way that a child gets ” a sugar high” from too much candy and is bouncing off the walls, we get too much sugar from drinking several drinks and it effects our ability to get a good night’s rest.  This doesn’t just affect us that night but the whole next day.  We feel sluggish and cloudy and are much more likely to convince ourselves that we need that pastry or we can skip our workout just for today. 

I am not saying don’t ever drink alcohol, that would make me a hypocrite.  What I am saying is be mindful of your decisions.  Have that 1 glass of wine while you are cooking or that 1 margarita at happy hour.  Just like everything else in life, practice moderation.   Cheers, Slainte, Salute! -Balbi