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Alcohol and Nutrition

It is your choice whether you drink or not. If you choose to, you are responsible for your own “alcohol intake”.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health offers helpful, low-risk drinking guidelines*:

  • Space drinks an hour apart.
  • Drink no more than two standard drinks per drinking occasion.
  • Have no more than 14 drinks a week if you are a man.
  • Have no more than nine drinks a week if you are a woman.

    * Note, these guidelines do not apply to those who should avoid alcohol, including women who are pregnant and people who live with a medical condition such as liver disease.

 

What is considered one drink?


Each of these drinks contains the same amount of alcohol.

  • Regular beer, 5% alcohol: 341 mL (12 oz)
  • Wine, 12% alcohol: 145 mL (5 oz)
  • Fortified wine such as sherry, port or vermouth, 16-18% alcohol: 85 mL (3 oz)
  • Spirits or liquor such as rum or vodka, 40% alcohol: 45 mL (1.5 oz)



Who should avoid alcohol?

Alcohol can interfere with medical treatments, medications and can be passed through breast milk. For some people, it can also increase your risks for certain health problems such as cancer. If you drink alcohol regularly, you should discuss this with your doctor.


Avoid alcohol if you:

  • Have liver disease – alcohol will further damage the liver.
  • Want to become or are pregnant – alcohol can harm a babies developing brain, increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and reduced birth weight. There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy.
  • Are trying to quit smoking – alcohol may make it harder for you to resist cravings.
  • Need to be alert. For example, before driving, playing sports or operating machiner.


How can alcohol affect my health?

It all depends on how much and how often you drink so you may want to keep track of that. Women who have more than nine drinks a week have higher rates of cancer and other problems than women who drink less. Men who have more than fourteen drinks a week have higher rates of alcohol-related problems.

Overtime, too much alcohol can result in:

  • Vitamin deficiencies
  • Sexual impotence
  • Heart problems
  • Cancer
  • Menstrual problems
  • Liver disease
  • Difficulty keeping a healthy body weight


What about the heart health benefits?

Despite the news that limited amounts of alcohol may be heart healthy, if you don’t drink, don’t start to drink for health reasons. Keep your heart healthy by:

  • Eating right
  • Being active
  • Staying smoke free

If you choose to drink, some research has shown that for people over 45 years of age, one drink every other day may be good for your heart.



How many “empty calories” are in a drink?

Alcohol can add extra calories that may lead to weight gain. You might be surprised how many calories are in one drink.



Drink Approximate Calories
Light beer (4% alcohol), 1 bottle or 12 oz 99
Regular beer (5% alcohol), 1 bottle or 12 oz 140
Non-alcoholic beer (0.5% alcohol), 1 can or 350 mL 210
Daiquiri, 7 oz 260
Pina Colada, 4.5 oz 245
Vodka, 1.5 oz 100
Wine (11.5% alcohol), 5 oz 100



Cutting back on alcohol

Whether it’s to help manage your blood pressure or stay at a healthy body weight, here are some ways to limit your alcohol intake:

  • Don’t drink every day.
  • Space your drinks at least one hour apart.
  • Drink water with lemon or lime to satisfy thirst.
  • Try mixing half sugar-free ginger ale and half beer.
  • Have a ‘virgin’ Caesar.
  • Choose a non-alcoholic beer.
  • If ordering wine when eating out, order it by the glass not by the bottle.
  • Mix soda water and 100% juice and drink it in a wine glass.


Find out more:

Glossary

Blood Pressure
Description:
is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and amount of blood pumped, and the size and flexibility of the arteries. Blood pressure readings are usually given as two numbers: for example, 110 over 70 (written as 110/70). The first number is the systolic blood pressure reading, and it represents the maximum pressure exerted when the heart contracts. The second number is the diastolic blood pressure reading, and it represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest.
Sugars
Description:
A group of carbohydrates that help make our food sweet. Glucose, fructose, sucrose and lactose are some examples. The different names indicate that each sugar has a different chemical structure.
Vitamin D
Description:
A vitamin that helps your body use and absorb calcium. Fish, milk and egg yolks are the best sources of vitamin D. Health Canada recommends that adults over the age of 50 take a daily vitamin D supplement of 400 IU.
Vitamin E
Description:
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that exists in eight different forms. Vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals are common food sources of vitamin E.

Provided by the Ministry of Health Promotion.

Ontario

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