When it comes to drinking, many people do not realise the amount of weight they put on as they are unaware of the calorie content of alcohol.

A study conducted on 2,000 adults for the UK government's 'Know Your Limits campaign', revealed that the average drinker in England now consumes around 2,000 calories from alcohol alone each month, which  is equivalent to 38 extra roast-beef dinners or almost 184 bags of crisps.

About 42 per cent of women admitted they did not know that a glass of white wine has the same calorie content as a bag of crisps. Two large glasses of white wine puts a woman over the recommended daily limit for alcohol consumption and her daily calorie allowance.

Similarly, 40 per cent of men were not aware that a pint of lager has as many calories as a sausage roll. A beer-drinker knocking back just five pints a week would add a whopping 44,200 calories over a year, equivalent to 221 doughnuts.

The survey found that the additional calories came not just come from the alcohol consumed as more than one in three drinkers-37 per cent, admitted that they are likely to eat more than they usually would or ditch the healthy diet when drinking above their recommended daily limits.

Almost one in three-29 per cent drinkers order crisps, nuts or pork scratchings to accompany their booze, while 19 per cent regularly opt for a takeaway to grab a pizza, burger, bag of chips or kebab when drinking more than two pints of beer or two glasses of wine.

The UK health minister Phil Hope said that 'Regularly drinking more than our recommended daily limits can have a knock on effect on our health – including an expanding waistline.''

''It's not only the calories in the drinks themselves that can help to pile on the pounds, we're also more likely to eat fatty foods when we've had one too many. To avoid piling on the pounds we should try to drink within the recommended limits, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly,' he added.

Most people would baulk at consuming a full glass of single cream, but would not think twice about a couple of pints. But the calorie content is similar and, over time, excess alcohol intake is likely to lead to weight gain.
 
Sticking to sensible drinking habits and keeping to the recommended units will not only help keep off those extra pounds but will also help decrease your risk of serious health problems, such as some types of cancer and liver disease.

The British Nutrition Foundation offered some tips for minimising calorie intake and said that people should stick to their daily recommended intake of drinks, where men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day; women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day.

As an indication, a pint of lager and a 250ml glass of wine both contain 3 units of alcohol.

It also said that alternate an alcoholic drink with a glass of water will help to prevent from becoming dehydrated and never drink on an empty stomach. If you do reach for snacks while drinking, opt for a healthier option like a sandwich instead of crisps or chips. Opt for a chicken burger without mayonnaise instead of a kebab with garlic sauce.

Always have a healthy dinner before you start drinking and do not drink in rounds since you end up drinking more than you intended. Instead drink at your own pace.

They also recommend pacing drinking by taking small sips and avoiding 'binge drinking' at all costs.