To continue the series of blogs celebrating the Eat Well, Feel Well nutrition campaign this week, we're bringing you the next one, focused on the consumption of alcohol and its effects on your nutrition and health.
There is so much conflicting information out there around the impact of alcohol on nutrition. Yes, wine is made from grapes, but unfortunately no, it’s not one of your five a day.
Red wine is also supposedly the healthier option when it comes to alcohol due to its high antioxidant content, it however, does not make it a healthy drink (sorry!).
While we understand that calories and the nutritional value of your drinks on a night out are probably not your main concern, it’s important that we educate you so that you can make more informed choices that could benefit your overall health and wellbeing.
Many alcoholic drinks do have a high calorie and high sugar profile, especially those that tend to be on offer as a student, like your beloved VKs. However, there are options with less calories and less sugar.
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Bottle of blue VK
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Single Gordons Gin and Slimline tonic
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176 calories
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75 calories
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104g sugar (59% RDA)
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0g sugar
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Simply switching your VK to a Gin and Slimline could save you 100 calories and 104g of sugar each time! Just four VKs in one night is 236% of the recommended daily allowance of sugar, based on a 2000 calorie intake per day – and that’s on top of what you’ve already consumed that day.
Some good ol’ myth busting
Myth: Eating at the end of the night will sober you up at the end of the night and soak up the alcohol.
Fact: Eating does not sober you up. Only time will do this. So heading to your favourite local chicken shop at the end of the evening for fried chicken and chips only adds to the calories consumed that evening. Your best bet is to head home, drink lots of water and sleep it off. However, eating a good meal prior to drinking can slow down the rate of alcohol absorption
Why are we telling you this?
We aren’t here to take the fun out of alcohol, we just want you to live a healthy and happy life. Everything in moderation is okay and our main message is, if you choose to drink, drink responsibly.
If you find you have been struggling with alcohol, drop in to see one of the College Wellbeing advisors, or any of our helpful SU Advisors who can help signpost you to support services. Alternatively, check out these support services with more information about managing alcohol intake.