Will swapping wine for G&Ts make a difference?

[BettyDraper1]

I'm trying to lose half a stone and I've swapped wine for gin and slimline tonic, and teas/ coffees for herbal teas. I'm normally a prosecco fiend and drink at least two bottles per weekend, plus a few glasses of red during the week.

I've also upped my exercise from 2 pilates sessions to 3/4 per week and I'm aiming to go power-walking on the mountains where I live at least twice per week. I'm generally very physically active (think gardening, DIY, housework) all week and I like to think that all counts towards something.

I eat pretty healthily so the wine is the biggest thing that I can think of in terms of empty calories. So do you think swapping it for gin will make a difference? I'm aiming to lose half a stone by mid-August (beach time ARGH!).

[AuntieStella]

I found that cutting out the alcohol completely makes a big difference to rate of loss. Both saving the calories directly and in not becoming susceptible to nibbling or second helpings.

But yes, a colourless spirit and diet mixer is lower calorie than wine if you decide to drink some days.

[Whisky2014]

Yeah should make a difference. I swapped to soda not tonic :)

[confusionis]

you realise that 2 bottles of wine over the weekend is 24 units, and another couple glasses is another 5? thats 21 units of alcohol a week, which is way over the maximum amount you should be consuming, regardless of calorific intake..

G&T's are fewer calories, but its easier to drink more

[confusionis]

31*

[BettyDraper1]

I wondered about that whisky2014 because although I'm drinking diet tonic to save calories, I'm not mad keen on the idea of the sweeteners that they put in diet drinks.

I'm going to buy a bottle of soda water later on :)

[UmbongoUnchained]

How about just don't drink?

[BettyDraper1]

Yeah I do know that confusionis but tbh, it's never bothered me because it's not a problem. It's just a bottle of wine on a friday night and another split over sat/ sun (2 glasses each night. I'm hardly a drunk). And I don't usually drink during the week but if I do, it'll be a small glass of red with a meal.

I started the switch to G&Ts two weeks ago and I've cut down what I'm drinking. I don't drink all week and then I have about 3 g&ts on a fri and another 3 on saturday.

[confusionis]

you are confusing drinking too much with being a drunk. They arent the same thing at all.
The limit on alcohol isnt about being a problem, its about the damage you are causing to your liver in the long term.
Personally I think G&T's are amazing. much nicer than prosecco, and definitely better for you calorifically.

[gamerchick]

A gin is still in the 70 cal mark though isn't it? You're better off with vodka.

Not drinking at all is better as it means your liver can get on with taking care of you. Then there is the nibbles and carb cravings the next day which will go as well.

[BettyDraper1]

Well, I've cut right down now and intend to keep it up so that ought to help body-wise/ liver-wise confusionis

Thanks for your answer re: calories. Hopefully it'll make a bit of a difference.

[BettyDraper1]

I've never really thought about the carb cravings. It'd be interesting to experiment for a couple of weeks and try to avoid alcohol altogether to see if my diet changes. I'm feeling unexpectedly inspired in this direction.

I'll be grumpier on a friday night though, I just know it.

[Whisky2014]

I think a single shot of gin is 50-60 calories?

[AuntieStella]

Single shot (1fl oz/30ml) Bombay Sapphire is 79 calories. Gordon's is 76 (source MFP)

But I doubt there has ever been a home poured gin that small!

[diten]

I recently had the same thought. Moved house recently to somewhere with a lot more chances for physical exercise so thought why not go healthier in general and lose pounds via sport and diet. I agree with an earlier poster - from what I have read, clear spirits are best as they contain less sugar. According to one site Prosecco/Champagne is the best option. Beer is bad! Sweeteners aren't great but they're not my enemy at the moment, sugar is.

[RunnerOnTheRun]

Calorie content is just one tool in the box when it comes to food and drink. The other side of it is asking yourself how does the food or alcohol (doesn't matter which) affect your HEC? (Hunger, Energy & Cravings).

Are you likely to make bad food choices when you've cracked open a drink? Are you likely to sleep badly? Does the bad sleep affect your decision making in the morning and throughout the next day? Do you get dehydrated and feel lethargic? Does that make you sit on your sofa all day and not be as physical as you might be after a water only night? Try it. Imagine you have to get up at 7am and do something REALLY important and drinking will mean you will over sleep.

I bet you have a really productive Saturday if you can try one Friday night on the water. Make a mental note to ask yourself the above questions too.

So it's not just as simple as swapping high calorie wine for slightly lower calorie gin.