Alcohol Reduction
Engaging with our Alcohol Reduction Service at Healthy You is a proactive step towards healthier habits. Through collaboration with the NHS community health checks and our robust lifestyle assessments, we identify clients who would benefit from our Enhanced Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) programme.
Our goal is to support individuals in reducing their alcohol consumption through personalised face-to-face and online assistance. We offer a variety of digital resources to enhance this journey and, if needed, we can also connect clients with additional services for further support. Let’s embark on this journey together towards a healthier lifestyle, one step at a time.
How many Calories are in an Alcoholic Drink?
Liquid Calories
Drink
Calories (kcal)
Standard 175ml glass of 12% wine
up to 158kcal
Pint of 5% strength beer
up to 222kcal
50ml glass of 17% cream liqueur
153kcal
Standard 275ml bottle of 4.5% alcopop
154kcal
Large measure (75ml) of 17.5% fortified wine
102kcal
Double measure (50ml) of 40% spirits
100kcal
You can find out the calorie content of other drinks using Unit & Calorie Calculator on the Alcohol Change UK website.
Alcohol Guidelines
It’s recommended to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread across 3 days or more.
That’s around 6 medium (175ml) glasses of wine, or 6 pints of 4% beer.
There’s no completely safe level of drinking, but sticking within these guidelines lowers your risk of harming your health.
The Benefits of Drinking Less Alcohol​
Short-Term benefits:
- Feeling better in the mornings
- Being less tired and more energetic
- Better-looking skin
- Saving some money
Long-Term benefits:
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower risk of stroke, hypertension, cancer and liver disease
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Better mood, memory and quality of sleep
- Help with weight management
Tips On Cutting Down Alcohol
1.Have a game plan
Set yourself a weekly unit target and stick to it. But if one week you do go over your limit, don’t stop trying – next week is a fresh start.
2. Switch from stronger stuff
Choose drinks that are lower in alcohol. Try lighter beers – under 4% ABV. As a rule of thumb, white and rosé wines are lower in strength than reds. Another idea is to try swapping some or all of your drinks for no or low-alcohol alternatives.
3. Stick with it!
Adjusting to lower-strength drinks takes time, so don’t be discouraged if the taste is different at first. Keep exploring the many options available to find the one you like.
4. Shake up your social plans
You don’t need drinks to catch up. Swap the pub for breakfast, a movie, or a coffee run. You could even try something active, like bowling or joining a class together.
5. Set a booze budget
Sticking to a budgeted amount for alcohol can be a good way to drink less. If you are going out, try taking only the exact cash, or set up a spending alert on your card.
6. Write off the rounds
Being involved in rounds makes it easy to end up drinking more than you meant. Try to avoid them if you can, and do not feel like you have to say yes to a drink just because someone else is buying. There’s always next time.
7. Only wine and dine
Waiting for your evening meal before you have a drink – and having your first only once you’ve started eating – is another simple way to help you cut down.
8. Beat boredom
If you drink to cope with boredom or stress, try a healthy distraction instead. Exercise is a great stress-buster, while hobbies, DIY, or even cleaning can effectively occupy your mind and body.
1. Have a game plan
Set yourself a weekly unit target and stick to it. But if one week you do go over your limit, don’t stop trying – next week is a fresh start.
2. Switch from stronger stuff
Choose drinks that are lower in alcohol. Try lighter beers – under 4% ABV. As a rule of thumb, white and rosé wines are lower in strength than reds. Another idea is to try swapping some or all of your drinks for no or low-alcohol alternatives.
3. Stick with it!
Adjusting to lower-strength drinks takes time, so don’t be discouraged if the taste is different at first. Keep exploring the many options available to find the one you like.
4. Shake up your social plans
You don’t need drinks to catch up. Swap the pub for breakfast, a movie, or a coffee run. You could even try something active, like bowling or joining a class together.
5. Set a booze budget
Sticking to a budgeted amount for alcohol can be a good way to drink less. If you are going out, try taking only the exact cash, or set up a spending alert on your card.
6. Write off the rounds
Being involved in rounds makes it easy to end up drinking more than you meant. Try to avoid them if you can, and do not feel like you have to say yes to a drink just because someone else is buying. There’s always next time.
7. Only wine and dine
Waiting for your evening meal before you have a drink – and having your first only once you’ve started eating – is another simple way to help you cut down.
8. Beat boredom
If you drink to cope with boredom or stress, try a healthy distraction instead. Exercise is a great stress-buster, while hobbies, DIY, or even cleaning can effectively occupy your mind and body.
