Alcohol - what are "empty calories?"

ReverendJim

Sorry, I gave up high fructose corn syrup, pasta, rice, all candy, cake and ice cream - I am NOT giving up my drinks after work. So I work my behind off to burn off 500 or 700 calories, and I keep my food intake below my daily allowance ... win win! So why can't I have 300 or more calories of drinks on some nights? I'm told they are "empty calories" and bad. But I don't understand that. I just pencil it out and I still have a good calorie deficit, so what's the problem? I doubt I'm the only one who enjoys a nip or two or three, but still keeps in shape and strives to be fit.

deethinner

I too enjoy my wine in the evening. I just started this whole thing today so am new at it. But I am giving up so much already I so want to enjoy my wine or gin and tonic.

sjohnny

It just means that it has calories. But no nutritional value. Distilled spirits don't have any protein, fat or carbohydrates but still magically have calories.

ElizabethRoad

"Empty calories" just means you are ingesting calories with little or no nutritional value. Obviously you don't want a huge percentage of your food to fall into this category, but as long as you are getting enough nutrition, go ahead and have your drinks. I don't drink much myself (just because I'm not that interested) but I know several people here do, and they are losing weight.

carrie_eggo

Here's a good read for ya:

http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html

Ashlea82

thank link doesn't work but i was interested in reading it

SusanMcAvoy

Enjoy your drinks. I do the same thing on the weekends. I just eat a lot less. We have to live life. On the days I drink I make sure I exercise extra to burn it off. Have a great night!!

ElizabethRoad

thank link doesn't work but i was interested in reading it

It does, I just read it.

Kissybiz

I'm with you Jim. I love my karaoke night, which usually involves a beer or two. I used to go to margarita happy hours at a restaurant across the street from my home. My car would just magically steer it's way there every day after work.. $2 margaritas.. what a deal! But then I started tracking the calories, not to mention the chips and queso, and I've modified that behavior. Now I go straight to the gym after work, I do not pass go, I do not collect a margarita... but I still go to my Karaoke nights once a week after a good workout, and I still have a glass or two of wine with dinner from time to time.. all still fall UNDER my calories. It ain't over until the fat lady that sings isn't a fat lady anymore!!!!

MaximalLife

Sorry, I gave up high fructose corn syrup, pasta, rice, all candy, cake and ice cream - I am NOT giving up my drinks after work. So I work my behind off to burn off 500 or 700 calories, and I keep my food intake below my daily allowance ... win win! So why can't I have 300 or more calories of drinks on some nights? I'm told they are "empty calories" and bad. But I don't understand that. I just pencil it out and I still have a good calorie deficit, so what's the problem? I doubt I'm the only one who enjoys a nip or two or three, but still keeps in shape and strives to be fit.

They're empty calories - no real nutritional benefit, so just acknowledge that fact and imbibe in moderation.

Log in the drinks, and let your results speak for itself.
I drink a few glasses of vino daily, and my results are stellar!

carrie_eggo

thank link doesn't work but i was interested in reading it

sorry....copy and paste it into your browser.

engineman312

personally, i stopped drink AS MUCH as i was, just because i didn't want the 600 empty calories.

and i don't think that you should be drinking as much on an empty stomach, even if you are working out.

oh, and i don't log one glass of wine or a single cocktail.

cutie2b

You can drink. No one is going to stop you. However, if you want to know why they are empty calories here's why:

1. 7 calories per gram of alcohol. 1 Shot of alcohol (depending on proof) is 100-150 calories roughly. That's the same as a 12oz coke only it's only 1.25oz.

2. Alcohol is a poison. The body perceives it as a poison which is why you get a high or buzz off of it and why the liver processes it first - to get it out of the body as fast as possible.

3. The liver stops processing fat/food and focuses on processing alcohol first because of reason #2. If you drink and eat food at the same time, your body will use the alcohol for energy first and the food will be stored as fat later. Now if you have a calorie deficit and an active lifestyle, it might not matter. Also, alcohol is turned into sugar by the liver and ends up being used in the brain, and there's some correlation between depression, sugar, and alcohol. Alcohol is kind of like high fructose corn syrup like that. Also, there's a link between drinking and diabetes.

4. Alcohol decreases inhibitions, and therefore, some people may eat things that they normally would not when drunk because their will power is decreased. Hence, why people do stupid things when drunk and use that as an excuse later.

5. Alcohol causes anxiety and depression, or at least makes them worse, which potentially could cause someone who eats for emotional reasons to over eat too.

6. The vitamins and minerals used by the liver to process alcohol (without getting any vitamins or minerals back) make it anti-nutritional actually and rob the body of things it needs. Hence why alcoholics are generally very vitamin deficient especially in B Vitamins needed by the liver to process food/alcohol/substances.

7. Alcohol dehydrates you - the reason for part of the hang over the morning after.

However, on a different point, there are some good things about alcohol. Wine has shown some heart healthy effects in moderation. Beer is a good re-hydrator after running long distances, at least in some instances because of the carbs and quick absorption.

Once again, you are an adult. If you want to drink, go for it. I drink on occasion. But that's why is it an "empty" calorie. Actually, it's more of a anti-nutrient than an "empty" calorie. Cheers! :drinker:

maews

I'm not here to judge anyone,but after working hard, a glass of champayne or preferably wine to unwind is not going to hurt,done in modification as with any food or drink.

agthorn

Also, alcohol is turned into sugar by the liver and ends up being used in the brain

Alcohol is not turned into sugar. It's metabolized into acetate.

Justkf

Give up wine? that's crazy talk. I bank for it daily and I am still loosing weight. I am actually unable to tolerate as much as before when I was 34 pounds heavier. So i am saving money too!

audigal2008

bump!

UsedToBeHusky

I too enjoy my wine in the evening. I just started this whole thing today so am new at it. But I am giving up so much already I so want to enjoy my wine or gin and tonic.

I'm fairly certain that wine does not fall into the category of empty calories since it is loaded with anti-oxidants. It must have some other nutritional value as well.

slumberbug

I too enjoy my glass of wine or two after work or at the end of the evening after both that and a workout. Just watch the calories and burn a little more at the gym those days! I have cut back on how many glasses because I do like food and realize the nutrition of smart choices is more important.. My husband and I are going to go the full month of January without a single drink as an experiment to prove to ourselves (not only what you read) that weight loss is easier without alcohol.

cutie2b

Also, alcohol is turned into sugar by the liver and ends up being used in the brain

Alcohol is not turned into sugar. It's metabolized into acetate.

Yes, that's actually correct. I should have said as an energy source. But you are correct, it's turned into acetate and theory has it that the brain starts using acetate instead of sugar (ATP) for energy. I am was being over general and simplified and used a poor word choice. However, if people really want to know the chemistry behind it: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh294/245-255.pdf

ReverendJim

I too enjoy my glass of wine or two after work or at the end of the evening after both that and a workout. Just watch the calories and burn a little more at the gym those days! I have cut back on how many glasses because I do like food and realize the nutrition of smart choices is more important.. My husband and I are going to go the full month of January without a single drink as an experiment to prove to ourselves (not only what you read) that weight loss is easier without alcohol.

Please report back with the results! I'm interested!

ReverendJim

Give up wine? that's crazy talk. I bank for it daily and I am still loosing weight. I am actually unable to tolerate as much as before when I was 34 pounds heavier. So i am saving money too!

Like!

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

I just had 2 glasses of sweet red wine last Christmas Eve but it had no effect on my waistline. Theres nothing wrong with an occassional treats. The keys here are moderation & of course keep on exercising. Alcohol should be treated like a "cheat" meal wherein it shouldn't be done on a daily basis.

And may I add also that a glass on wine is actually good for the heart.

FoxyMcDeadlift

Heres a interesting article that always needs to be dropped when discussing alcohol. Personally, i drink once a month or so. Since i started trying to hone in on my six pack, its mostly spirits and diet coke

Also, you all need to remember the 80/20 rule. 20% of your diet should come from whatever the hell you want (read cakes and booze)

http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html