Alcohol is an "empty" calorie food. It contains few or no nutrients, just calories. Half an ounce of alcohol adds about 100 calories in a drink. Half an ounce of alcohol is the same as one 12 oz. beer, 4 oz. of wine, or 1.5 oz. of hard liquor.
If you are a healthy adult and you drink, it is better to drink alcohol in moderation. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant it is best not to drink alcohol at all.
"Moderate" drinking means having no more than 1 drink a day for women or 2 drinks a day for men. People who drink one to two drinks a day may get up to 10% of their calories from alcohol. These empty alcohol calories replace other foods that are nutrient dense.
When you drink too much alcohol, you may feel sick from being intoxicated or having a "hangover." You may also feel less hungry. When you eat less food, you get fewer nutrients. Too much alcohol can also cause diarrhea and keep your body from taking up nutrients from food. Too much alcohol over a long time can damage the liver. When your liver becomes damaged it is more difficult for your body to use the nutrients you get from foods.
Adapted from: Penn State Nutrition Center Fact Sheet.
To find out about non-alcoholic drinks read the file, "Mocktails or Alcohol Free Drinks".
To find out more about alcohol and pregnancy, read the file "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome".
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