There's a reason six-pack drinkers dont have six-pack abs—but its not just because of the high-calorie booze. Research shows there are plenty of ways that alcohol can hurt your diet.
When Spanish researchers recently surveyed over 12,000 people about their alcohol consumption and diets, they found that excessive drinkers and binge drinkers were least likely to meet the dietary guidelines for fruits and vegetables and more likely to skip breakfast, in comparison to people who drank less or not at all. (We guess the Spanish dont go on hungover trips to IHOP.)
Sure, if you're getting plastered every night, you're probably not extremely concerned about your health. But even the average drinker has made poor food choices because of alcohol. Case in point: Fourthmeal.
Alcohol could even make you eat more. In a U.K. study, men drank either 12 ounces of a non-alcoholic lager, or the same lager spiked with about 2 drinks worth of alcohol. Even though the alcoholic lager contained more calories itself, men ate 30 percent more calories after drinking it—despite the fact that they didn't report higher appetites than the other group.
What's the deal with drunk munchies? Here are a few theories for your intoxicated delivery orders and second round of wings at the pub.
You Feel Less Full
Ever notice that dinner lasts longer with alcohol? Its not because you enjoy the company more. A Dutch study found that it took people longer to feel full when they drank alcohol before a meal, when compared to those who had a non-alcoholic carbohydrate, fat, or protein drink before. As a result, the meal lasted longer and people didnt compensate for the alcohol calories.
Alcohol calories arent recognized by the body, write the researchers. One theory: Since alcohol is a toxin, your body wants to metabolize it as quickly as possible, which is why you don't feel full from alcohol calories, according to other research.
Your Happy Memories Trick You
A Northwestern University study found that alcohol only increased food consumption when people knew they were drinking an alcoholic beverage, suggesting that the cravings arent only physicalthe social context could play a role, explain the researchers. Meaning, you might associate friends and alcohol with greasy food, making you want it more.
It Makes Junk Food Taste Amazing
No one has ever drunkenly craved a saladand theres a reason. A study conducted by Purdue University found that moderate consumption of alcohol enhances the taste of salt and fat, which is why that cheese pizza tastes so friggin good.
Thats a lot of temptation. If you slip up, choose the lesser of evilslike the chicken and green pepper pizza from Dominos, which only has 300 calories for 2 slices.
Better yet, limit yourself to two drinks—moderate drinking has been associated with reduced risk of heart disease, a longer life, and a lower risk of diabetes, as we reported in To Live Longer, Have a Beer!
