Slimming World has commissioned a survey and has discovered that the more people binge drink, the more they want to and do eat. According to SW, after having three glasses of wine, as much as 6300 calories of food is consumed in a 24 hr. period afterward. This could lead to weight gain of two pounds a week they continued.
The experts warned that their findings were as a result of a survey and not a scientific study.
The survey examined 2042 people and approximately half of those who drank alcohol said that drinking past their personal limits (getting drunk) caused them to overeat.
Slimming World also said that 50% of the people indicated that over-drinking also impacted what they chose to eat with half of them reporting that they did not participate in exercise after a binge of food and drink, especially where they drank more than four pints of beer or its caloric equivalent in alcohol.
“The survey is very interesting. But it is a survey and not a scientific study,” said Bridget Benelam of British Nutrition Foundation.
“They had opted for bed, TV and using social media to stave off the hangover – along with another extra 2,051 calories, on top of their usual diet, the next day. According to the survey, participants consumed approximately 2,829 calories extra in food and 1,476 extra calories in drink. The next day, the binge continued with participants (drinkers) eating approximately 2051 calories” she said.
Dr Jacquie Lavin, head of nutrition and research at Slimming World, said alcohol loosened self-control.
“Alcohol makes the food even more rewarding. It tastes good and feels even better than it would do normally,” she said.
Reports suggest that Lavin has called on the British government to launch a communications campaign to inform people of the impact of drinking on weight gain. She has also asked that calories be placed on the labels of alcoholic beverages.
Bridget Benelam, nutritionist at the British Nutrition Foundation, said: ” The survey is useful as well as the hard science, to be aware of what people are thinking in the real world, to get messages out there.”
She said the survey confirmed a link between alcohol and obesity.
Excess calorie intake in alcohol and food can lead to NCDs including kidney, heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses and complications.
