Switch It Up and Drink Smart

As soon as the Christmas season begins we usually have lots of invites for nights out, get togethers, and meals and to me this means lots of fun but others its an excuse to have lots of alcohol. I am not a big drinker in fact whenever I go out I am usually the driver and would much rather drink water or a glass of diet coke than wine or vodka. To me drinking is a social thing and people use it to have great time but I don't need it. Don't get me wrong when I was younger I would party all weekend but I was younger then and had no responsibilities but I now one night of partying would make me feel ill for a week after and with two kids and a husband to look after I much prefer to to stay alcohol free. Recent research commissioned by AB InBev was done to demonstrate the benefits of smart drinking encouraging Brits to 'Switch It Up' 

Now I know I am definitely within the category of a moderate drinker, probably less than moderate but its nice to see 78% of Brits also consider themselves moderate drinkers

Other stats in the research showed

 A third thank smarter drinking for staying in shape.
1 in 5 Londoners have missed a day at work because they didn’t drink smart
A quarter of 18-34 year olds enjoy feeling more productive at work thanks to moderate drinking
18% of people have seen a wedding ruined by someone that drank too much

I wouldn't say I have seen a wedding ruined by someone who drank to much but I have definitely witnessed people getting out of hand at parties or nights out based on how much they have drank. I have never understood it really as to me it seems like a waste of a good night.

The results suggest that Brits are switching it up and are well on their way to being a more moderate drinking culture, with only 16% of Brits admitting to drinking above the recommended guidelines.

Having a great time without the need to drink

If i was asked what motivated me to become a moderate drinker I would honestly say that the aftermath wasn't worth it. I was never a heavy drinker but even then I would spend the next day feeling ill and staying in bed. Was those few drinks the night before worth it? No, definitely not.
18% of people asked are also like me they want to avoid a dreaded hangover.

Then there is cost, its so expensive to drink when you are out now. Cocktails can be as much as £12.50 each in our local bars, I couldn't justify that. Almost a fifth are also motivated by the monetary savings of moderate drinking.

Commenting on the research, Anna Tolley, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, AB InBev UK & Irelandsaid: “We’re asking Brits to switch it up so they can experience the benefits of moderating their alcohol intake first hand - it’s great to see that health is a key factor for the British public in driving responsible drinking, with 41% moderating their consumption to feel healthier"

“Offering consumers a variety of great tasting, alcohol-free options is an important part of our commitment to responsible drinking at AB InBev, and our aim is to empower consumers to make smart choices and reduce the harmful use of alcohol by the end of 2025. Through our Global Smart Drinking Goals we also want to ensure thatNo- or Low-Alcohol beer products represent at least 20% of our global beer volume by 2020. We are proud to brew Beck’s Blue, the market leading alcohol-free beer in the UK and will continue to lead the way in low and no-alcohol beer.”

I think as parents and especially to a teenager it is our responsibility to encourage positive behaviour when it comes to drinking. Big J isn't interested in alcohol at the moment and I know he is only 14 but there are children out there that do drink as young as him.

AB InBev’s Global Smart Drinking Goals aim to empower consumers to make smart drinking choices and reduce the harmful use of alcohol by the end of 2025. Brits are able to moderate their alcohol consumption by opting for Beck’s Blue or Beck’s Blue Lemon swapping every other alcoholic drink for a Beck’s Blue, or switching it up altogether, will enable them to moderate their alcohol consumption, and most importantly, reap the rewards.

I think as parents and especially to a teenager it is our responsibility to encourage positive behaviour when it comes to drinking. Big J isn't interested in alcohol at the moment and I know he is only 14 but there are children out there that do drink as young as him.



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