‘There’s a fine line between pleasure and pain’ when drinking alcohol. Small amounts of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM depressant makes us feel relaxed and less inhibited. While too much sends us careering off course unable to walk and think straight, through to vomiting, unconsciousness and possibly never waking up again.

The fact is that constant consumption and binging on moderate to high levels of alcohol does not equate to good health. Rather it leads to increased risk of a range of diseases that decrease quality of life and/or cause death i.e.cardiovascular disease, some cancers, diabetes, malnutrition, liver disease and mental health problems.

Weight-wise alcohol is not too helpful either. Basically alcohol is a ‘NO VALUE for money’ fuel source, giving us little nutrition apart from ENERGY (Calories/kilojoules).

Alcohol is energy dense containing 7 Calories (~29kJ) per gram, coming second only to fat in the macronutrient energy stakes, whilst protein and carbohydrates contain ~ 4Cals (17kJ)/g each.The average Australian drinks ~8 litres of pure alcohol per year that’s 56000Cals/year (~234,300kJ/yr).

The Australian guidelines (NHMRC) recommend for healthy men and women, drinking no more than 2 STANDARD DRINKS PER DAY to reduce the risk of alcohol-related disease or injury over a lifetime.

1 STANDARD DRINK = 30ml of a spirit OR 100ml of wine OR 375ml of mild (3.5%) beer OR 250ml of a pre-mix spirit (5%).

There is some evidence that low-level alcohol consumption may have some vascular health benefits. However the bottom line with alcohol is that limiting our intake is an easy way to reduce weight, stay healthy and feel great.

Here are some tips to help you manage alcohol when you are out

1. If you are thirsty, quench your thirst first with non – alcoholic drinks.
2. Include non alcoholic and low calorie drinks, preferably water, between drinks
3. Watch out for the size of the glass. It is likely that the bigger the glass, the more you will serve yourself