Come summers and most Indian men sport Beer bellies which are replaced by weight gain in rum and coke winters. For women drinking is usually a binge. We drink once a week but often in horrible proportions and this often leads to weight gain, especially those rounds of mojitos and Cosmopolitans.
Many of us might love a glass or two of our favourite tipple every now and then. The excuses are many, from celebration to frustration there is always a glass of drink to savour. But do you know every sip is actually ruining your body? According to doctors, the calories from alcohol cannot be saved for later and this results in your body hitting starvation mode and storing fat.
But that doesn’t mean that you have to become a teetotaler. Here’s how to have your favourite tipple minus the guilt:
The snacks are a must: Chakna as most Indians will call their snacks are the best way to fill up and ensure you remain sober. Snacking helps your body create a balance. Skimping food and saving calories can make you drunk in no time, Alcohol has sugars which are absorbed by the body and when these sugars fall you feel very hungry. This result in weight gain, the best way is to nibble a few healthy snacks like a salad or have a simple butter toast before you go out drinking with friends.
Control your portions: When you are deep in drinks and conversation, you might end up eating that entire bowl of peanuts without realizing. These peanuts add to calories and not to forget the weight gain! Post-drinks always order a healthy dinner, opt for salad, raita and rice, whenever a chance. But take a controlled and measured portion of food as you may end up eating a lot more after alcohol lowers your inhibitions.
Know your drinks: When it comes to alcohol and weight gain remember the simpler the ingredients of the drink the safer you are. A wine, beer, or a shot is better than a sugar laden fancy cocktail. Did you know alcohol is the second-most calorie dense nutrient after fat?
The best way out? Stick to wine, shots, with plain soda or on the rocks! Every time you add coke or juice, you are making your drink high calorie and your stomach will feel heavier post-drinks.
Have one drink: One drink a day is widely accepted as moderate drinking for women, but many women tend to abstain from alcohol all week and drink 7-8 pegs on a night out. They justify that we saved our seven drinks for the weekend! But can you do that for food? It is not a reasonable logic. Have maximum of two glasses and stick to your resolution.
The next day: Most women wake-up starving post a drinking night. The hangover, the craving for fattening aloo-poori is a horrible feeling. Remember that you might be dehydrated and your body is sending mixed signals. Dehydration, at times, can make you feel hungrier. So the next time you go drinking have a glass of water for every drink you have. Also before sleeping try having some high-fibre cereal bar or dalia (you can make some before you leave). You will feel better the next morning.
