Late night drinks can wreck your diet

If you’re struggling to keep your diet in check, it might be best to avoid those late night drinks, says a new study.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham, in the United Kingdom, found that alcohol proved to be a stronger temptation than sugary snacks especially when hanging out with friends late at night. The indulgence can wreak havoc on those trying to control their weight.

Study leader Heather McKee says the findings have implications for people who are struggling to stay on their healthy eating plans.

“The findings help piece together the complex jigsaw surrounding the daily predictors of dietary temptations and help us to better understand how dietary temptations and lapses operate,” McKee said in a news release.

Using smartphone apps, the 80 people who participated in the study, tracked every temptation that could have potentially knocked them off course.

Those who veered off their plan were especially vulnerable at night, researchers said. And they were more likely to choose an alcoholic drink over a sugary snack which lowered their resistance even more.

Additionally, “Their willpower was also influenced by the presence of others, regardless of whether a dietary temptation was unexpected or whether the dieter went looking for something to eat. The stronger the dietary temptation, the more likely a participant was to lapse,” the study said.

Dr. Jennifer DeBruler, an internal medicine physician with Advocate Medical Group, who is also board-certified in obesity medicine, says drinking can thwart your efforts to maintain a healthy weight in at least two other ways.

“It’s important to remember that alcohol can also be deceptively high in calories,” Dr. DeBruler explained. “The other problem is that when you drink too much, you tend to get hungrier and may end up eating much more than you planned.

Study leaders hope the findings raise awareness and help people stay on track.

“In the fight against obesity, we need to help people become more aware of the various personal, situational, and environmental factors that expose them to dietary temptations,” McKee said. “In doing this, we can help them to develop the necessary skills to cope successfully with dietary temptations and prevent lapses.”