Hull in print : Health in Hull

Did you know...? A glass of wine has 130 calories – roughly the same as a doughnut (140 calories).
A pint of lager (170 calories) contains almost as many calories as an average-sized bag of crisps (184 calories).
A pint of bitter (190 calories) has almost the same calorific content as the average sausage roll (195 calories).
A 25ml measure of spirits, such as vodka or gin (55 calories), contains as many calories as a serving of single cream.
Furthermore, the calories found in alcohol are described as "empty" calories, as they have no nutritional value such as protein or vitamins – just energy.
"For many people alcohol is a part of life and they drink sensibly, but a large number of drinkers may be surprised to know just how much it adds to their daily calorie intake and how it can affect their weight," says Helen Ingle, public health lead for NHS Hull.
"When having a drink with friends, work colleagues or with a partner, it's all too easy to nibble on snacks such as crisps and nuts, and at the end of a night out to finish off with a pizza, burger, bag of chips or a kebab.
"The next morning, people may choose a fry-up, bacon sandwich, or breakfast from a fast food chain, which can add 450 calories to the amount consumed the night before, rather than cereal, wholemeal toast or fruit juice, all of which are lighter and healthier options.
"As a result it's not only the calories in the drinks themselves that pile on the pounds but also the fatty foods people often eat when they've been drinking.
"To avoid gaining weight, people should always try to drink within the recommended limits, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly."

Know your limits

Nearly one in three men and one in five women in Hull and across the country drink more than the recommended daily limits of 2-3 units for women and 3-4 units for men (note that these guidelines are not appropriate for either young people or pregnant women, and that mixing alcohol with medication is also dangerous and can reduce the effectiveness of the medication).
NHS advice also states that both men and women should make sure they have days in the week when they do not drink at all.
A unit of alcohol is 10 millilitres (eight grams) of pure alcohol.
Some examples of popular drinks and the alcohol units they contain include:

A single gin and tonic - 1 unit
1 alcopop - 1.4 units
1 glass (175ml) of 13 per cent wine - 2.3 units
1 pint of 5 per cent lager - 3 units
1 pint of 5 per cent cider - 3 units
1 bottle of 12.5 per cent wine - 10 units

"If people have concerns about the effects of their drinking there are lots of services in Hull to help them manage their weight and lifestyle," adds Helen.
"They all provide something slightly different so there's plenty of choice available to cater for people's individual needs and circumstances."

Top tips for safe drinking

Be aware of the recommended daily limits and keep within them
Avoid drinking in rounds – you may end up drinking more than you planned to
Have alcohol-free days each week
Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water
Don't accept drinks or lifts home from strangers – make sure you have an authorised taxi number stored in your mobile and use it to book your transport home at the end of the night

info

Call 224545 to find out about weight management services in Hull such as Why Weight?, Active Lifestyles, Fit Fans, and Looking Good, Feeling Good.
For general advice visit www.nhs.uk and go to the 'Live Well – Alcohol' section.
Safe drinking information can also be found at: www.drinkaware.co.uk and www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
The British Heart Foundation website www.bhf.org.uk has lots of practical advice on staying active: click on the 'Keeping your heart healthy' menu heading, followed by 'Preventing heart disease' then 'Your weight' to find out more.

Working in partnership
Hull City Council

NHS Hull tel.
(01482) 344700


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