Slimming clubs where food items are given points and dieters have to stick to a daily limit may encourage the practice, according to experts.
They said the habit, widespread in America, is becoming more common in Britain.
Prof Janet Treasure, the head of the eating disorder unit at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, said the practice was very dangerous as it was effectively combining binge drinking and disordered eating patterns.
"They get fully hooked, it is an extremely noxious thing. It is more common with bulimia than anorexia but you get the combination of empty calories with no nutritional value and the risky behaviour that goes with being drunk."
Gram for gram alcohol has more calories than carbohydrate or protein and a small 150ml glass of white wine can contain 150 to 170 calories.
This would mean a large pub glass of wine which is commonly 250ml would hold as many calories as an average light lunch.
A shot of vodka with a low calorie tonic mixer is a more modest 100 calories while some beer can be a gut-busting 250 calories a pint.
Susan Price, the spokesman for the British Dietetic Association, said missing meals in order to drink more was not an appropriate way to lose weight or remain a healthy weight.
"You are more likely to be binge drinking. What you should do is eat a healthy balanced diet and choose low calorie mixers and non-alcohol low calorie soft drinks."
