Is alcohol ok if it fits into my calorie count?

I'm working really hard to lose about 20lbs, and have lost about 3 in the last 3 weeks. I've been cutting out alcohol some nights - most nights - but allow myself a drink or two on the weekends if it fits into my calorie count.

What's the consensus on trying to lose weight and drinking? If I have room in my calorie count for one glass of red wine tonight, should I drink it or skip? (And yes, I can stop at 1 glass.) I have found lots of mixed research on the topic and would love to hear what you all think.

Thanks!

Replies

random255

Although MFP doesn't let me directly log it, I build up a calorie deficit for the week, knowing full I'll drink it on Saturday night. So I'll shave off 50 cal here, 140 cal there, and by Saturday I'll be 300-500 cal under what it says I should be (even for the deficit). Then on Sat when I drink my 5-6 diet coke and vodkas, it works its way back towards even.

I've still been losing 1-2 pounds a week doing this.

Lots of others do this, they call it 'banking' their calories. You just gotta' be careful, don't want to under eat too much, because those vodkas aren't coming with a ton of nutrients.

ARGriffy

I got to my goal whilst drinking about once a week, sometimes more. Just log it, keep in your calories and if having more than one, try to be low sugar with your food that day to balance out the sugars in alcohol xx

goldthistime

I avoid it because I am more likely to snack when I drink. But that's just me. If you can stay within your calories, macros and micros, I see zero problem with it.

quiksylver296

Ultimately, yes. The problem I have when I drink is the munchies I get once I'm intoxicated. Somehow, those never end up getting logged.

75in2013

Drink it

Here is an article by Martin Berkhan about the topic I found useful: The truth about alcohol, fat loss and muscle growth

I really agree with his statement: "However, despite being a potent inhibitor of lipolysis, alcohol/acetate alone cannot cause fat gain by itself. It's all the junk people eat in conjunction with alcohol intake that causes fat gain."

Jruzer

It's fine. I have a drink almost every night.

mitch16

It's fine. Some days I run a couple of extra miles just so that I can have a glass of wine!

jb06592

I am trying to lose the same amount of weight and I was wondering the same thing! I still have 10 ounces of red wine every night and it fits in my calories. I have also managed to lose one pound per week so far. I even "cheat" a little on the weekend and have an extra glass of wine or two. Enjoy the wine!

jlcbooth

I love you all!

I think I'll still try to not drink some nights, but I do think I'll have a glass of red wine with dinner most nights -IF it fits. And good tip about the sugar ... I'll try to be under my sugar goal by a bunch on the days I have a drink!

erinc5

Yep. Alcohol is fine as long as it fits into calorie goals. The problem I have is what other have mentioned - post drink snacking. I also have the problem of "I'll just have one" but that usually turns into 3 drinks... I try to save it for the weekends only and bank some calories during the week or go on a very long walk on Saturday morning to make up for it.

Talan79

I think as long as your not getting trashed and eating junk at 3am you are ok. Alcohol has an effect on fat oxidization. Don't eat high fat foods while drinking.

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage

If it fits into your calorie goals, absolutely. Go for it.

murp4069

Go for it! If if fits in your calorie goals can't see why that would be an issue with weight loss. I cut out regular drinking, but really only to ensure I stay within my calorie goals. Plus it had become too much of a habit for me to go home from work and have a few glasses of wine or beers, and for personal reasons I wanted to break that habit.

srecupid

Go for it. I personally switched to only special occasions and I find the times I do drink more enjoyable because of it

harrybananas

Do it, even if it does not fit in your calorie goals. Matter fact, don't even log it.

gracepost123

random255 wrote: »

Although MFP doesn't let me directly log it, I build up a calorie deficit for the week, knowing full I'll drink it on Saturday night. So I'll shave off 50 cal here, 140 cal there, and by Saturday I'll be 300-500 cal under what it says I should be (even for the deficit). Then on Sat when I drink my 5-6 diet coke and vodkas, it works its way back towards even.

I've still been losing 1-2 pounds a week doing this.

Lots of others do this, they call it 'banking' their calories. You just gotta' be careful, don't want to under eat too much, because those vodkas aren't coming with a ton of nutrients.

Wait..... You can BANK your calories?? Like roll over calories?? Like if I have 100 calories left over every day for 5 days then on Saturday I have 500 extra calories?

kami3006

gracepost123 wrote: »

random255 wrote: »

Although MFP doesn't let me directly log it, I build up a calorie deficit for the week, knowing full I'll drink it on Saturday night. So I'll shave off 50 cal here, 140 cal there, and by Saturday I'll be 300-500 cal under what it says I should be (even for the deficit). Then on Sat when I drink my 5-6 diet coke and vodkas, it works its way back towards even.

I've still been losing 1-2 pounds a week doing this.

Lots of others do this, they call it 'banking' their calories. You just gotta' be careful, don't want to under eat too much, because those vodkas aren't coming with a ton of nutrients.

Wait..... You can BANK your calories?? Like roll over calories?? Like if I have 100 calories left over every day for 5 days then on Saturday I have 500 extra calories?

Yes. Many of us follow a weekly average and it works well.

kbmnurse

I drink once a week numerous light beers. Don't count them-it's weekly. I do watch my food intake that day.

srecupid

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Ultimately, yes. The problem I have when I drink is the munchies I get once I'm intoxicated. Somehow, those never end up getting logged.

What are you drinking? I find heavier craft beers leave me fuller so I don't feel like eating. I could almost use an iPA like some people use protein shakea

juggernaut1974

srecupid wrote: »

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Ultimately, yes. The problem I have when I drink is the munchies I get once I'm intoxicated. Somehow, those never end up getting logged.

What are you drinking? I find heavier craft beers leave me fuller so I don't feel like eating. I could almost use an iPA like some people use protein shake

You say that like there's something wrong with it

callsitlikeiseeit

why yes, yes it is

Will_Run_for_Food

Yes, it's fine if it's within your calories, and as long as it's not ALL your calories, of course! For me, if I have too much to drink - even if I stay within my calorie goal - It's the next day that gets me. I find that I'm a bottomless pit the day after and could eat everything in sight. So I have to be careful because it could get me on not one but two days.

TaraTall

This thread makes me happy.

ModernRock

gracepost123 wrote: »

Wait..... You can BANK your calories?? Like roll over calories?? Like if I have 100 calories left over every day for 5 days then on Saturday I have 500 extra calories?

Yes. It's all about the overall trend. Some people eat based on a moving weekly average equal to their calorie goal. So, they might eat 1500 one day and 2500 the next if they are on a 2000 calorie goal. Or, 100 under their goal 6 days a week to have 600 extra calories for one night.

Switch from "Diary" to "Nutrition" on the menu on the mobile app, and this should show calories by week. At any moment you can check to see how many bonus/unused calories you have left from the previous 6 days plus what you have left for the current day. So, if you were under overall the previous 6 days, then you'll have your normal calories left for the day, plus some "bonus" calories. Of course, it works the other way, too. If you were over earlier in the week, then no bonus. Just get back on track with your daily goal and move on.

For this to work as intended, you need to log accurately and consistently.

If you already know you want to eat more on certain days and less on others, but still meet your calorie goal over the course of a week, then it can be really simple if you have the paid premium MFP account. Among other things, it lets you customize your calorie goal to be different on different days. Just make sure the weekly average is equal to your daily calorie goal.

esnider211

I bank significantly, so I can go out with H on Friday nights and go significantly over, as long as my week levels out. My diary is embarrassing on Fridays.

missblondi2u

gracepost123 wrote: »

random255 wrote: »

Although MFP doesn't let me directly log it, I build up a calorie deficit for the week, knowing full I'll drink it on Saturday night. So I'll shave off 50 cal here, 140 cal there, and by Saturday I'll be 300-500 cal under what it says I should be (even for the deficit). Then on Sat when I drink my 5-6 diet coke and vodkas, it works its way back towards even.

I've still been losing 1-2 pounds a week doing this.

Lots of others do this, they call it 'banking' their calories. You just gotta' be careful, don't want to under eat too much, because those vodkas aren't coming with a ton of nutrients.

Wait..... You can BANK your calories?? Like roll over calories?? Like if I have 100 calories left over every day for 5 days then on Saturday I have 500 extra calories?

I call it "piggy banking"

thehoss316

Love this thread hard...almost as much as I love my craft beer! May be part of the reason I'm on the site. I've heard various things, with a prevailing thought having to do with the impact of alcohol on your hormones (fat burning is stalled while your body looks to eliminate alcohol).

I find this guide to be good...http://rippedbody.jp/how-to-drink-beer-and-not-screw-up-your-diet/ Cheers, salud, whatever your toast word of choice!

Asher_Ethan

gracepost123 wrote: »

random255 wrote: »

Although MFP doesn't let me directly log it, I build up a calorie deficit for the week, knowing full I'll drink it on Saturday night. So I'll shave off 50 cal here, 140 cal there, and by Saturday I'll be 300-500 cal under what it says I should be (even for the deficit). Then on Sat when I drink my 5-6 diet coke and vodkas, it works its way back towards even.

I've still been losing 1-2 pounds a week doing this.

Lots of others do this, they call it 'banking' their calories. You just gotta' be careful, don't want to under eat too much, because those vodkas aren't coming with a ton of nutrients.

Wait..... You can BANK your calories?? Like roll over calories?? Like if I have 100 calories left over every day for 5 days then on Saturday I have 500 extra calories?

Isn't CICO great?! I drink twice a week usually and I have 5+ drinks those nights. I always fit them in.

jlcbooth

I am just catching up on this thread that I started a few weeks ago. Glad to see so many of you like it! I have been drinking a glass of wine a day, and I do what is needed to make sure it fits into my calories

I've lost 6 lbs since Jan 5 so it's working!

RMinVA

My trainer has said if it fits into your DAILY macros it is fine. She sent me a link to someone that was training hard for a fitness competition that decided to eat a snickers a day as an experiment to see if it impacted her results. End result was that it did not...but it fit within her macros. My preference is a tasty craft beer...fills me up more than wine without a lot of additional calories and it is easy for me to stick to just one...not so with wine. On days I know I am going to drink a little more, I just exercise more and eat a little less to create room in my daily macros.