Alcohol Is Not Your Weight-Loss Buddy (got this from a Jillian Michael newsletter...I need to read this every Friday and Saturday morning!!)
Whether it's cocktails on ladies' night out, a beer at the pub, or a glass of wine with a delicious gourmet meal, most of us enjoy a drink (or three!) every now and again. But remember what I've been teaching you: In addition to being aware of the foods that are good for you, it's important to know which ones are truly bad for you. And let's face it — alcohol is in the latter camp.
Alcohol can sabotage your weight-loss efforts. It's a simple carbohydrate and your body treats it as sugar when breaking it down. Alcohol also causes an increase in blood sugar and fat storage, and because it doesn't contain any fiber, it will also cause a sugar crash as well as an increased appetite for carbs.
If you choose to have a drink, avoid sugary cocktails, beer, and wine. Stick to clear alcohols like vodka and rum with calorie-free mixers like diet or club soda, light fruit juices, and diet Snapple. And you can always drink it straight (or on the rocks).
It's also a good idea to eat something around the time you're going to be drinking. Try to have a meal that's high in protein, which will help curb the release of carbs from the alcohol and create more balance in your blood sugar levels. The meal will also serve to fill you up so you'll be less likely to make unhealthy food decisions or succumb to cravings when you're hungry and tipsy later.
