We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Why is beer more calorically dense than its macronutrient contents?

Jypo
Jypo Posts: 16 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hi,

I love reading up about dieting but there seems to be something that is tripping me up at the moment.

To my understanding the way a calorie count to its macronutrients would work is:
1g of protein = 4 calories
1g of carbohydrates = 4 calories
1g of fat = 9 calories

I recently went out for a few drinks and to my suprise when put into MFP my macro nutrients and calories just didn't add up.
After researching this I found that the nutritional information that was put into MFP was correct.

So what gives?

Example: typically the nutritional information in 440ml of beer is:
141 cals
1g protein
14g carbohydraps

14 x 4 = 56 + 4 = 60?

Any help would be appreciated thanks.

Replies

  • FunkyTobias
    FunkyTobias Posts: 1,776 Member
    edited February 2016
    Alcohol 1g=7 cal

  • Jypo
    Jypo Posts: 16 Member
    Alcohol

    Really?
    What sort of effects would this have?
    Since alcohol isn't neccessarily a macronutrient, but seems quite dense. If my carbs were still low for the day how would drinking effect fat burning?
  • FunkyTobias
    FunkyTobias Posts: 1,776 Member
    Jypo wrote: »
    Alcohol

    Really?
    What sort of effects would this have?
    Since alcohol isn't neccessarily a macronutrient, but seems quite dense. If my carbs were still low for the day how would drinking effect fat burning?

    Alcohol is a macro nutrient.

    Your body will metabolize it before burning anything else.

    If you are still in a deficit, it shouldn't make a difference.
  • Jypo
    Jypo Posts: 16 Member
    Jypo wrote: »
    Alcohol

    Really?
    What sort of effects would this have?
    Since alcohol isn't neccessarily a macronutrient, but seems quite dense. If my carbs were still low for the day how would drinking effect fat burning?

    Alcohol is a macro nutrient.

    Your body will metabolize it before burning anything else.

    If you are still in a deficit, it shouldn't make a difference.

    Thanks!

    If MFP had any reward system I'd give you one :smiley:
  • poteatkd
    poteatkd Posts: 113 Member
    Jypo wrote: »
    Alcohol

    Really?
    What sort of effects would this have?
    Since alcohol isn't neccessarily a macronutrient, but seems quite dense. If my carbs were still low for the day how would drinking effect fat burning?

    Alcohol is a macro nutrient.

    Your body will metabolize it before burning anything else.

    If you are still in a deficit, it shouldn't make a difference.

    Good to know. Thank you. =)
This discussion has been closed.