[Kel1231]

A few nights a week I have a few drinks, and I notice my weight stays pretty much the same or goes up a pound the next day, even when I'm dieting. I know you're not suppose to drink on diets but I wasn't sure if it really can make you gain weight or just reverse everything you're trying to do. It could be other things I was just not sure if anyone knew exactly how much it has to do with weight gain.

[HarpoChicoGroucho]

Alcohol is empty calories and if you drink enough of it -- you will gain weight. A one pound flucuation isn't anything to be concerned about because I think alcohol makes some people retain water. I don't drink, but I've heard you are supposed to alternate one alcoholic drink with one glass of water to keep the alcohol calories down when dieting. I would tell you make sure you count your calories when drinking -- your body doesn't care from where calories come from.

[aphil]

It really depends on how much you are drinking, and WHAT you are drinking. You can have a small glass of wine or champagne, or a light beer for under 150 calories...or you can have a foo-foo sweet drink like a mudslide, daquiri, or something like that for about 3-5 times as many.

Alcohol isn't great for you-but there are some that are better than others. Red wine has some health properties, for instance. The key is, calories in vs. calories out. There is nothing wrong with having a glass of wine now and then-but drinking 3 drinks a night, 3 nights a week-for instance-can lead to weight gain because of the excess calories. It is all about moderation.

[kateful]

My problem with alcohol was not so much what or how much I was drinking but what and how much I was eating when my senses were dulled by the alcohol. Calories counting can get a little fuzzy after a point.