On top of that, alcohol causes your blood sugar to drop which can result in increased hunger and snacking, adds Tanya Mezher, RDN, a lead functional practitioner at Malla. “It immediately goes to the liver, where it is prioritized as an energy source, so we will burn alcohol calories first.” In other words, alcohol can slow down and/or stall your weight loss progress.Īlcohol also lowers our inhibitions and makes it harder to focus during meals, which can lead to overeating or choosing foods we otherwise wouldn’t, says Marissa Meshulam, RDN, the owner of MPM Nutrition. “Alcohol is both a toxin and inflammatory substance for our bodies, and our body does not have the ability to store alcohol,” says Kimberly Gomer, RDN, the director of nutrition at Body Beautiful Miami. And since a calorie deficit is key for weight loss, it begs the questions of whether it’s possible to drink at all.ĭrinking-or not-can have a greater impact on weight loss than just extra calories. Take alcohol for instance-many cocktails you order out at restaurants and bars are packed with sugar and cals. And you’re probably surprised by just how calorie-dense some of your faves are. When you first set out to lose weight, you may be paying more attention to the calorie content of foods and drinks you consume than ever before.
