The answer really depends on the person, how much they’re drinking, what they’re drinking, and other lifestyle factors, says Rosalind Breslow, PhD, an epidemiologist at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “The role of alcohol in weight gain is controversial, and the answers aren’t yet clear,” she says. This is your body on alcohol: Consider these two conflicting trial results: In 2011, Breslow published a 13-year study of more than 7,900 women who had healthy BMIs at the start of the experiment. Breslow and her colleagues found that participants who consumed one or two alcoholic drinks per day gained less weight over the course of the study (and had a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese) compared with non-drinkers. However, another study by Breslow of more than 45,800 adults found that those who consumed fewer drinks at a time but drank more days out of the year were the leanest, while those who drank the most amounts of alcohol but imbibed fewer days per year were the heaviest. “[The evidence] suggests that alcohol is not a major risk factor for weight gain—although it may be a risk factor for some individuals,” Breslow explains. Since there’s no way to know which camp you fall into, the trick to enjoying a cocktail and not tipping the scale in the wrong direction is drinking strategically, Breslow says. A big part of that, as it turns out, is limiting your alcohol consumption to specific times when you’re less likely to go overboard. (Having trouble sticking to your slim-down plan? Never diet again and still lose weight with a cutting-edge plan that naturally retrains your fat cells. Get the Fat Cell Solution today to learn how!) Here are the four best times to indulge when you’re trying to flatten your belly:
When you’re on veggie platter duty.
“We drink more and eat more when we’re in social settings with other people,” Breslow says. But since a nice glass of merlot is best enjoyed with friends, you’ll want to plan ahead so you can watch what you eat when you drink. If you’re heading to a party, offer to bring a veggie platter (or one of these 3 party snacks you won’t regret in the morning), so you’ll have a healthy option that will distract you from the chip bowl. If you’re meeting friends at a restaurant, pick somewhere with healthy menu options, pre-select what you’re going to eat, and stick to your plan.
When you’re sitting down to dinner
While it’s important to be mindful of what you’re munching on while you’re drinking, you shouldn’t stay away from food altogether to err on the side on caution. In fact, it’s best to enjoy alcohol during mealtimes, says William Kerr, a senior scientist and director of the Alcohol Research Group, a research organization funded by the National Institute of Health. Since alcohol doesn’t send the same physiological signals to the brain that you’ve consumed your fill like other foods and beverages do, drinking in between mealtimes can cause you to consume additional calories from cocktails and the snacks you’ll inevitably reach for. And it’s not necessarily a matter of willpower or motivation; one animal study suggests that alcohol may actually trigger hunger signals in the brain. (Check out the 5 slimming habits of people who’ve lost 30 pounds or more, from Prevention Premium.)
When you’re mixing your own cocktail
Remember: portions matter and not all drinks are created equal, Breslow cautions. A five-ounce glass of wine, for example, will set you back about 125 calories. However, many bartenders pour portions that far exceed that caloric amount. The same goes for mixed drinks, which often call for multiple shots of liquor, sodas, and other caloric add-ins. No matter what you enjoy sipping, the only way to know how many calories are in your cup is to pour or make your libation at home with the help of a cocktail kit. (They come with measuring tools that make portion control a breeze. We like NÄUZone Bartender Kit, $32, amazon.com.) If you want a drink while you’re away from home, order a light beer in a bottle. This way you know exactly what—and how much—you’re getting. MORE: 10 Ridiculously Healthy Cocktails
When you’re hanging out with light drinkers
Drinking too much in one sitting (that’s more than three drinks for women, according to the National Institute of Health) not only poses health risks to you and those around you, it can also add tons calories to your daily intake. If you have trouble cutting yourself off when you’re with a group of heavy drinkers, consider volunteering to be the designated driver. This way no one will try to sway you to have that second glass. Better yet, pencil in more time with your friends who rarely drink. Multiple studies have found that women copy their friends’ dietary habits, so you may just wind up drinking less, too. MORE: This Is What Happened When I Gave Up Drinking Socially
