Women unaware of calories in alcohol
Average wine drinker in England consumes around 2,000 calories from alcohol alone every month
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Friday, 17, Apr 2009 01:35
New figures released by the Department of Health show the average wine drinker in England consumes around 2,000 calories from alcohol alone every month.
The figure is equivalent to 38 extra roast dinners or almost 184 bags of crisps annually.
Two fifths of women surveyed for the government's Know Your Limits campaign admitted they did not know that a glass of wine had the same calorie content as a bag of crisps.
Two large glasses of white wine not only put a woman over the recommended daily limit for alcohol consumption but - at approximately 370kcals - also provide her with nearly a fifth of her daily calorie allowance, the Department of Health claims.
And for men, consuming five pints a week will add 44,200 calories a year.
The DoH says additional calories don't just come from alcohol, but also the increased amount people eat while drinking.
Health minister, Phil Hope said in a statement today: "Regularly drinking more than our recommended daily limits can have a knock on effect on our health - including an expanding waistline.
"It's not only the calories in the drinks themselves that can help to pile on the pounds, we're also more likely to eat fatty foods when we've had one too many. To avoid piling on the pounds we should try to drink within the recommended limits, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly."
Heather Caswell, a spokesperson for the British Nutrition Foundation also added: "Many women don't know that two large glasses of white wine not only puts them over the recommended daily limit for alcohol consumption, but also provides them with nearly 20 per cent of their daily calorie allowance, at approximately 370kcals in total.
"Most people would baulk at consuming a full glass of single cream, but wouldn't think twice about a couple of pints. But the calorie content is similar and, over time, excess alcohol intake is likely to lead to weight gain.
"Sticking to sensible drinking habits and keeping to the recommended units will not only help keep off those extra pounds but will also help decrease your risk of serious health problems, such as some types of cancer and liver disease."
The British Nutrition Foundation has offered a number of tips on minimising calorie intake, and the government has launched an online tool to help keep track of calories and alcohol units consumed.