How many calories are in a drink?
Alcohol has about 7 calories per gram. A U.S. standard drink has about 14 grams of alcohol, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). That works out to roughly 100 calories from the alcohol alone.
Mixers, sugar and bigger pours add more. A restaurant glass of wine or a large craft beer can easily hold more than one standard drink.
What studies of women found
The research is more mixed than you might expect. A 2015 review found that light-to-moderate drinking is generally not linked to fat gain in long-term studies, while heavy drinking is more consistently linked to weight gain.
One large U.S. study followed 19,220 U.S. women aged 39 and older for nearly 13 years. Women who drank lightly or moderately gained a little less weight than non-drinkers. That was an observational study of women who started at a normal weight, so it does not mean drinking helps. Nobody should start drinking, or drink more, for their weight.
Cutting back safely
If you drink a little and want to drink less, small changes to the routine around drinking are a fine place to start.
If you have been drinking heavily for a long time, NIAAA warns that stopping suddenly can bring on withdrawal, with nausea, a racing heart or seizures, and it can be life-threatening. A doctor can help you plan a safe way to stop, and there are medicines that make it safer. The SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) is free, confidential and open 24/7.
Where a team walk fits
Walking does not cancel out drinks, and it is not meant to. What an after-dinner walk can do is give your evening a new routine. In the 3-Day Walk & Water Challenge, a team of two to four sees your walk and your water each day.
