People all over Gwynedd will be celebrating the festivities with families, friends and colleagues between now and the New Year.
During this time of Christmas cheer, the Healthy Gwynedd Scheme is reminding people to take it easy and not to binge drink. There are several good reasons to keep an eye on your alcohol consumption over the holiday, especially if you’re counting the calories or watching your waste line.
Did you know that one glass of wine is the calorific equivalent of a slice of cake? Or that a pint of lager contains as many calories as a burger?
A government survey in 2009 showed that wine drinkers, on average, take on around 2,000 more calories a month than a tee-total. Over a year this is equivalent to eating 184 bags of crisps.
Many drinkers will add to their calorie intake by having snacks with their drinks, such as nuts or pork scratchings. Also, it is often routine for many drinkers to stop for a pizza or kebab on the way home from a drinking session or maybe have a greasy breakfast in the morning to settle the stomach.
Did you know?
- One pint of strong lager or cider = 3 units = a glazed doughnut
- One pint or regular lager or cider = 2 units = sausage roll
- A small glass of wine (175ml) = 2 units = a slice of cake
- One alco-pop = 1.5 units = A 50g block of cheese
- A measure of spirits (25ml) = 1 unit = 25ml dollop of cream
Councillor John Wyn Williams, Gwynedd Council’s Senior Portfolio Leader with responsibility for care matters, said: “Nearly everyone looks forward to this time of year and see it as a time to relax and pubs, clubs and restaurants across the county will enjoy an extremely busy period.
“We would like to remind people that they can enjoy themselves without going overboard, and to take a minute to consider the impact of what they consume over the festive season has on their health.
“Most people will know about the direct dangers associated with binge drinking. In the long run alcohol can damage the liver, heart and brain and can cause conditions such as osteoporosis, some types of cancer and infertility. In the short term it can be the cause of all sorts of social problems and can put people in dangerous situations.
“But many people may not have considered the other implications of excessive drinking. For example heavy drinking can lead to weight gain. It’s quite frightening to think that drinking three or four extra units of alcohol a day – which is two pints of regular beer – can lead to gaining four pounds of weight per week.”
