Drink Less

Find out about units in alcohol and support on cutting back on drinking

Local support to a healthier you

The One You Hounslow health advisors can give you advice and support on cutting down how much alcohol you drink.

Call us today to see how we can help – available 5 days a week, 9am – 5pm

020 8973 3530

Units in alcohol
Calories in alcohol
Drink Free Days app

Drinking alcohol affects your body in many ways, from gaining weight to reducing the quality of your sleep.

It also increases your risk of developing health problems such as high blood pressure, liver problems, heart attack and some types of cancer.

It’s important to know how much you are drinking and that there are easy ways you can cut back, without cutting alcohol out completely.

Alcohol Units

14 Units - There is no completely safe level of drinking, but sticking within the guidelines lowers your risk of harming your health.
3 Days - Spread your drinking over 3 days or more if you drink as many as 14 units a week.
Glass of red, white or rose wine (ABV 13%)
Small 125ml - 1.6 units
Standard 175ml - 2.3 units
Large 250ml - 3.3 units
Beer, Lager and Cider
Regular (ABV 4%) - Pint: 2.3 units, Large can: 1.8 units
Strong (ABV 5.2%) - Pint: 3 units, Large can: 2.2 units
Extra Strong (ABV 8%) - Pint: 4.5 units, Large can: 3.5 units
750ml bottle of red, white or rose wine (ABV 13.5%)
10 units per bottle

Other drinks
25ml Single spirit and mixer (ABV 40%) - 1 unit, 275ml Bottle of pre-mixed drink (alcopop) (ABV 5.5%) - 1.5 units
Understanding ABV - Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a percentage measure of the amount of alcohol in your drink. The higher the percentage the stronger the drink is.
Try lower strength drinks - Cut down on alcohol by swapping strong beers or wines for ones with a lower-strength (ABV in %).

How many calories are in alcoholic drinks?

Alcohol and weight gain - Alcoholic drinks are made by fermenting and distilling natural starch and sugar. Being high in sugar means alcohol contains lots of calories
Cutting back on the amount you drink can significantly heklp reduce your calorie intake
Food comparison for each alcoholic drink
Drink
Calories
Food equivalent
1 Standard glass of wine - 125ml / 12%
131 KCAL
1 Chocolate covered bisuit - 25g
1 Pint of beer - 570ml / 5%
187 KCAL
1 Slice of loaf cake - 60g
1 Glass of cream licquer - 50ml / 17%
152 KCAL
1 Standard bag of crisps - 30g
1 Standard bottle of alcopop - 330ml / 4%
172 KCAL
1 Chocolate pot dessert - 80g
1 Double measure of fortified wine (sherry) - 50ml / 17%
58 KCAL
1 Jam filled biscuit - 14g

Medical warning

Get medical advice before you stop drinking if you have physical withdrawal symptoms (like shaking, sweating or feeling anxious until you have your first drink of the day). It can be dangerous to stop drinking too quickly without proper support.