Does Vodka Help You Burn Fat?
Vodka is an alcoholic beverage that contains a relatively low number of calories. When trying to lose weight, you may drink alcohol in moderation. However, vodka and other alcoholic beverages do not have special fat-burning capabilities.
Vodka is an alcoholic beverage that contains a relatively low number of calories. When trying to lose weight, you may drink alcohol in moderation. However, vodka and other alcoholic beverages do not have special fat-burning capabilities. To successfully lose weight and burn fat, follow a low-calorie diet with regular sessions of resistance and cardio exercises. Consult your doctor if you have a medical condition that requires you to avoid or limit alcohol.
Size
Alcohol is safe to consume as long as you drink in moderation. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, distilled spirits like vodka should not be consumed in quantities more than 1.5 ounces per day. For 80 proof vodka, this equals approximately 96 calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Substitutions
Choosing low-calorie vodka drinks instead of high-calorie alcoholic beverages helps you cut down your calorie intake and potentially lose weight. For instance, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, a can of regular beer has about 153 calories per serving. A mixed drink of vodka and soda water contains about 64 calories.
Considerations
Not all vodka drinks are low in calories and helpful in reaching your weight-loss goals. For instance, a 10-ounce Mudslide has 556 calories per serving while a 10-ounce Long Island Iced Tea contains 543 calories, according to Calwineries' "Drinking on a Diet" guide. Use only low or 0-calorie mixers if you're looking to lose weight and still want to have a drink occasionally.
Expert Insight
Drinking alcohol is likely to undermine your weight-loss goals, especially if consumed in large quantities. According to a 2005 study published in the "Journal of Epidemology," alcohol contributed to weight gain in drinkers who had the greatest quantity of alcohol within the least amount of time. Subjects who drank only one alcoholic beverage per day were leaner than those who had four or more drinks in one sitting.