Drink Beer & Be Thin?

Derouge
Derouge Posts: 3
in Food and Nutrition
I've been trying to cut out crappy calories (processed foods, simple carbs), which unfortunately includes beer. I have no problem reducing my beer intake, but I still plan to make it a regular part of my life. This means that a couple of nights per week I will probably have a few drinks. My big question is: will this have a negative effect on weight loss even if I fit it within my daily calorie limit? I know that alcohol calories are burned first for energy, but if I haven't gone over my calorie limit is it hurting me? Obviously I know I shouldn't be replacing healthy nutrients with empty booze calories, but if it's only once or twice per week will I see adverse effects?

Replies

  • bradphil87
    bradphil87 Posts: 617 Member
    I've been trying to cut out crappy calories (processed foods, simple carbs), which unfortunately includes beer. I have no problem reducing my beer intake, but I still plan to make it a regular part of my life. This means that a couple of nights per week I will probably have a few drinks. My big question is: will this have a negative effect on weight loss even if I fit it within my daily calorie limit? I know that alcohol calories are burned first for energy, but if I haven't gone over my calorie limit is it hurting me? Obviously I know I shouldn't be replacing healthy nutrients with empty booze calories, but if it's only once or twice per week will I see adverse effects?
    Looks like you already know the neg. effects of it. That being said, if you want it and you fit it in your limit for the day go for it. It's just like if someone would ask "can I have a few big macs a week if I fit it into my cals?" answer: absolutely! Is it good for you? No. Will you get fat from eating the correct amount of cals? No. It really won't hurt, but it also will not help.
  • kitinboots
    kitinboots Posts: 589 Member
    I'm a bartender so I'm constantly trying to squeeze alcohol into my allowance. I try to make sure I only drink if I'm active that day (which is fine if I'm working cause I'm running around for 5-10 hours) and try not to eat all if any of my exercise calories.
    For example, if I go for a run before work and burn 600 calories, then don't drink, I get to eat those 600 calories back. If I have 2 shots then I not only don't log the 600 exercise calories but I don't get my after work snack either because I used those calories on my shots.
    Of course sometimes 2 shots leads to 2 more and I end up logging my exercise but I try not to let this happen too often.
  • tamsinwhitfield
    tamsinwhitfield Posts: 135 Member
    In moderation, you can have anything. A diet isn't maintainable (and won't become a lifestyle-change) if it's unmaintainable - and if you're denying yourself things you want 100% of the time, this isn't maintainable! Try and fit it within your limits (or work it off), restrict drinking to one or two nights a week (presumably weekend), and don't beat yourself up over it.
  • stuffinmuffin
    stuffinmuffin Posts: 985 Member
    I've drunk right the way through my MFP weight loss journey. Not that I'm a raving alcoholic but I like to go out once a week with friends and drink alcohol! It did not affect my rate of weight loss one bit.

    Admittedly, it made me look at my alcohol choices and improve them from a calorie point of view. I also cut down - I wouldn't bother with the odd glass of wine here in the evening and there and opt for diet soda on those occasions but on my dedicated night's out I would put the estimated drinks consumption in my diary before going out so I could work out my food limits for the day. I would also try and do a big workout to earn some more calories. Also if I do going over my cals I don't get too upset so long as I don't exceed my Weekly Net Cals. I don't personally drink beer but here are some alcohol calories I use.....

    (My personal favourite) Vodka (25ml) & diet coke = 55cals
    Gin and Diet Tonic =65cals
    Malibu & diet coke = 52cals
    Pimms & Diet lemonade = 48 cals
    dry white wine (175ml) = 120 cals
    Guinness (half pint) = 105 cals
    Whiskey (25ml) = 70 cals

    :drinker:
  • poptastic
    poptastic Posts: 151 Member
    I think you can still drink and lose weight, although the most impressive/fastest weight loss I have seen from friends has been when they've cut out alcohol altogether. It's a lot more calories than you think in a pint of beer! It's better to drink spirit & diet mixer if possible (if you like them), but as long as you're staying within your calorie goal you should still lose weight. It's just harder to avoid bad foods if you've had a few drinks :laugh:
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    It seems like you will get different answers here. I can drink 1-2x a week, and not have any problems at all. I've read others that seem to struggle
  • cheesy_blasters
    cheesy_blasters Posts: 283 Member
    I've drunk right the way through my MFP weight loss journey. Not that I'm a raving alcoholic but I like to go out once a week with friends and drink alcohol! It did not affect my rate of weight loss one bit.

    Admittedly, it made me look at my alcohol choices and improve them from a calorie point of view. I also cut down - I wouldn't bother with the odd glass of wine here in the evening and there and opt for diet soda on those occasions but on my dedicated night's out I would put the estimated drinks consumption in my diary before going out so I could work out my food limits for the day. I would also try and do a big workout to earn some more calories. Also if I do going over my cals I don't get too upset so long as I don't exceed my Weekly Net Cals. I don't personally drink beer but here are some alcohol calories I use.....

    (My personal favourite) Vodka (25ml) & diet coke = 55cals
    Gin and Diet Tonic =65cals
    Malibu & diet coke = 52cals
    Pimms & Diet lemonade = 48 cals
    dry white wine (175ml) = 120 cals
    Guinness (half pint) = 105 cals
    Whiskey (25ml) = 70 cals

    :drinker:

    Thanks for this list!!
  • 1nsanity
    1nsanity Posts: 95 Member
    a little isnt bad. in fact, alcohol can help with water retention because it is such a great diuretic. ive noticed that even with weekends where i had a very crazy saturday night, i end up weighing in with a loss come wednesday. i just aim to exercise more that day as well as stay within my cal limit. i will not stop drinking when i achieve my weight loss goal, so i might as well get used to working it into my diet now. take a look at this link too, it helped clear some things up for me.

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html
  • ddecarr
    ddecarr Posts: 103 Member
    The Liver is Evil and Must Be Punished!
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
    I quit drinking for the time I was losing in, now in maintenance I have started to drink more, and more than I should. I have put on a couple of pounds and worse I am one size larger now. I workout regularly and track all my calories. My guess is this wouldn't have happened without the alcohol. One or two days shouldn't be to bad if you only have a couple drinks. I plan on drinking one day a week from now on.
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    I drink beer. Every weekend (as noted by my profile pic). And I have a small glass of red wine almost every evening during the week. As long as you're keeping it within your calorie limits and making sure your diet is on track, you shouldn't have a problem

    I've been able to lose steadily just being more mindful of how many calories I'm consuming. I make sure to get in an awesome workout if I know I'm going to be tossing back a few by the pool or something, and I keep the poor food choices to a minimum (although sometimes, a girl just has to have some pizza or hot wings with her beer). You can make lighter choices when it comes to alcohol, but I LOVE a good beer, so I'd rather just go beast mode in the gym so I can enjoy exactly what I like :)
  • FITnFIRM4LIFE
    FITnFIRM4LIFE Posts: 818 Member
    It seems like you will get different answers here. I can drink 1-2x a week, and not have any problems at all. I've read others that seem to struggle

    This:-)
  • kgprice11
    kgprice11 Posts: 749 Member
    I love my beer. I hate the fact that some people use the excuse that you can drink "light beer" and still be fine. Yes that's if I drink one and not a whole case :explode: :drinker: .
  • CassandraMarie3
    CassandraMarie3 Posts: 147 Member
    I agree with those above-if you can stay within your calorie limit, drinking beer will not make you gain weight. That being said, if your calorie limit is set low, you should definitely make sure you get in the necessary nutrients for your day prior to wasting your calories on alcohol.

    I am a huge beer fan, specifically craft beer, and prior to my MFP journey often had one or two a night, and sometimes more on the weekends. I cut it down to one or two a week now, and have found the morning after I have those one or two, I feel gassy and gross while exercising. That alone is enough to make me not want to drink, or at least only drink the night before a rest day.

    Hope this helps!
  • megleo818
    megleo818 Posts: 595 Member
    I LOVE a good beer, so I'd rather just go beast mode in the gym so I can enjoy exactly what I like :)

    Yes!

    It's all about balance and realistic expectations.
  • _Bob_
    _Bob_ Posts: 1,487 Member
    I'm with you here, I really need to cut back but I'm not giving it up. I used to use beer to get my exercise calories back, now some nights I use it as a meal replacement and that doesn't seem to be as helpful.
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    If you stay within your calorie limits, beer alone will not make you gain or not lose weight. I drank it and still lost 27 pounds since January. You just have to learn moderation. And I don't drink the light junk, I love craft beer, the darker and richer the better!
  • fudgebudget
    fudgebudget Posts: 198 Member
    You can have alcohol, just make it count and don't mindlessly drink. I have been known to budget the occasional imperial stout into my calories (which are usually 300+ calories/bottle) because I love it and it's worth working out a little more to drink it. I just don't drink things I'm not going to enjoy (e.g., crappy beer) and will sometimes spring for the better tequila/vodka/etc. if it can be sipped since it's going to last me longer and taste better.
  • iLoveMyPitbull1225
    iLoveMyPitbull1225 Posts: 1,690 Member
    you're cool, dont worry about it.
  • amandarae21
    amandarae21 Posts: 57
    I am from Milwaukee, WI. Beer capitol of the US pretty much! Us Wisconsinites are known for our beer drinking (and brats and cheese), and I will never quit. It is a part of who I am.
    However, I do watch how much I take in. Moderation is the key for everything. I also don't believe in cutting out what you love though. If you cut out what you love, you won't be happy....starving and miserable. Have a little bit here and there, you will be much happier. Also, the key to losing weight is mixing things up and keeping your body guessing so you don't plateau. So why not every so often....mine is usually the weekends.
    Sometimes if I just want to watch my calories and have a beer, I go with MGD64. Otherwise a light beer is fine. Or a Bloody Mary with a beer chaser. Drink plenty of water!
    Seriously, don't cut out what you love. You will be unhappy and resent this weight loss thing. Just learn moderation and you will be good.

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