Drinking calories in beer

2

Replies

  • Metspride129
    Metspride129 Posts: 122 Member
    is giving up drinking really not worth your health? and its bringing the quality of your life down? you really need a new perspective on life my friend, or you need to get your *kitten* to some AA meetings, because honestly, keep up bad habits like that and you'll never be healthy
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    *** Then I realized that my quality of life suffered greatly, so I started drinking again*** Wow this sounds really sad! I probably average drinking alcohol once a month so can't have any input here, apologies!

    Not so sad. All things in moderation.

    Since I have to drop some food for my day when I drink, I think twice now, but I also feel my life is richer by enjoying a nice glass of wine, scotch, ale, whatever when the situation arises.

    I agree, this is very sad. If a person feels that their quality of life suffers because they can not have alcohol, then that is not called moderation, that is called an obsession of the mind. To deny your body food and nutrition so one can pollute their bodies with sugar laden alcohol is incredibly sad. BTW, its not just calories in alcohol that matters to weight loss. Alcohol is made from sugar and metabolizes differently in our bodies than regular "from food" calories.

    And anyone that wants to choose to blast me for these words, please note that I do not give a chit and know that I do know what I am talking about. Another thing, if this angers you, then that is something you may want to think about. :bigsmile:
  • When I was drinking, I'd log my beer early in the day or the day before so I knew how much to work with. Or if I went over, I'd just go exercise it off. Problem solved.
  • richardheath
    richardheath Posts: 1,276 Member
    Quality over quantity!

    I like beer. I make beer. I read about beer. I talk about beer. I even, on occasion, drink beer ;-)

    I lost over 40 lb this year by cutting back on the amount I drank (and exercising). To me, it is one of those things that I'm not willing to give up... yet at least. If it messes with my blood sugar (I'm prediabetic) I'll have to readdress that. But for now, I'm going to keep drinking beer.

    Sure, getting healthy is a lifestyle change, but it has to be a change that one can live with. If you like beer, and can fit it in your diet and keep losing weight (or maintaining now for me), then I personally don't see a problem with that.
  • newmooon56
    newmooon56 Posts: 347 Member
    *** Then I realized that my quality of life suffered greatly, so I started drinking again*** Wow this sounds really sad! I probably average drinking alcohol once a month so can't have any input here, apologies!

    Was wondering if I was the only one who caught this- quality of life goes down without alcohol? Sometimes Im sorry its legal I swear...

    But- what my friend did that cant quit either is- he saves up calories as soon as he feels the itch to drink that night (Id call that an addiction, but the drinkers dont and Im no doctor, so anyway... ) Hes also changed which beer he drinks- to a lower calorie one. I guess hed rather have 4 crappy beers then a nice micro most times- but once in a while he REALLY saves some cals and has some better quality stuff.

    Id guess saving calories for evils - like some of us do for desserts and/or treats is the best way since quitting isnt an option for many. On the road to better health Im a little confused how making evils fit becomes part of the equation... yea yea that whole "if I cut out all the good stuff I'll never get there" line - BUT-
    How serious about Good Health can you really be if keeping the worst offenders in your diet is really part of your ultimate goal?
  • brittamh
    brittamh Posts: 137 Member
    :huh: beer....puh leeez i trry to save mine for the good stuff... like rum,vodka, bourbon, and whisky:drinker:

    waaahhh?! I thought beer was the good stuff? :wink: I save some calories for some beer and football on the weekends.
  • newmooon56
    newmooon56 Posts: 347 Member
    *** Then I realized that my quality of life suffered greatly, so I started drinking again*** Wow this sounds really sad! I probably average drinking alcohol once a month so can't have any input here, apologies!

    Not so sad. All things in moderation.

    Since I have to drop some food for my day when I drink, I think twice now, but I also feel my life is richer by enjoying a nice glass of wine, scotch, ale, whatever when the situation arises.

    I agree, this is very sad. If a person feels that their quality of life suffers because they can not have alcohol, then that is not called moderation, that is called an obsession of the mind. To deny your body food and nutrition so one can pollute their bodies with sugar laden alcohol is incredibly sad. BTW, its not just calories in alcohol that matters to weight loss. Alcohol is made from sugar and metabolizes differently in our bodies than regular "from food" calories.

    And anyone that wants to choose to blast me for these words, please note that I do not give a chit and know that I do know what I am talking about. Another thing, if this angers you, then that is something you may want to think about. :bigsmile:

    I personally agree. Alcoholism is a pervasive problem in this county. Many ignore it because most alcoholics go to work and are not falling down drunk homeless criminals. They have families and jobs and even manage most days to make it to 5 oclock before drowning their lives in the stuff. There are too many ppl that drink (and dont drink) that believe if you can control your addiction you're not actually addicted.

    I like to believe that one healthy habit leads to another- the friend I spoke about in my last reply now only drinks 3 or 4 low cal. beers when he used binge a few times a week on 15 or 18 crappy beers or a whole bottle of wine- sometimes a bottle and half. His new ways have left him with a stomach that actually cant handle the binges any more and he's embracing it. Im happy to see some more control- though I wouldnt call it SELF control - its the body demanding more and hes trying to listen... Really I think he misses his binges in a odd way.

    I used to eat all the cookies - I though it would be great when I learned to control how many I ate. Now I skip cookies in favor of other foods - its just where my tastes went. I see in my friend that same can happen with whatever 'wrong' food once drove us as he is cutting back on alcohol consumption naturally and not on purpose.
  • is giving up drinking really not worth your health? and its bringing the quality of your life down? you really need a new perspective on life my friend, or you need to get your *kitten* to some AA meetings, because honestly, keep up bad habits like that and you'll never be healthy

    Hit the nail on the head with this one!

    Now, I do enjoy a good beer occasionally and better yet a good cab. If the quality of life is diminished without or with less of it then there is a much bigger issue going on.
  • onehurt
    onehurt Posts: 143 Member
    Wow it is interesting what people post! I figure to each his own, there are some here that post "how do you make room for the sweet dessert?" I don't figure it is any different then this post. It is something that a person likes to consume either way. And the general reply is to plan ahead so it falls in your calories. I do that when I know I am going out on the weekend etc.Also need to do the same thing if I get invited to a wedding or out for a meal at a friends house. I don't expect the rest of the world to eat the way I do ! So all this being said I have been losing weight along with several beers,wine and a few mixed drinks along the way!

    Just my $.02,
    Mark
  • Dwamma
    Dwamma Posts: 289 Member
    "Then I realized that my quality of life suffered greatly, so I started drinking again, but instead of drinking every day,"

    So sad to hear this. You are better than your beer and you can move forward and away from it! Sorry but I don't drink....never really have and never will so I can't really answer your question....but I will Pray for you!
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Yikes, I could never get myself to drink a beer with 500 calories! Luckily I'm a Guinness girl and its pretty low cal for beer. It's deliciously thick, creamy, and satisfying. But if microbrews are your thing and they have 500 calories, more power to you. I guess I would just suggest that the calories you DO eat on those days are packed with protein and vitamins.

    FYI, Guinness is NOT low cal by beer standards. It's pretty hearty in that respect.

    Guinness is very low calorie by beer standards. 126 calories per 12 ounces if I remember correctly. Even Budweiser is 145 calories per 12 ounces. The only thing lower are the garbage "light" beers. When you compare 126 calories per 12 ounces to 300+ for most of the craft beers I drink, it's a super low option.
  • MissNations
    MissNations Posts: 513 Member
    I have one beer (or two if I have exercise calories) with dinner several times a week. Love craft beers, so none of that light beer crap for me. All about moderation. :bigsmile: :drinker:
  • MeMyCatsandI
    MeMyCatsandI Posts: 704 Member
    Yikes, I could never get myself to drink a beer with 500 calories! Luckily I'm a Guinness girl and its pretty low cal for beer. It's deliciously thick, creamy, and satisfying. But if microbrews are your thing and they have 500 calories, more power to you. I guess I would just suggest that the calories you DO eat on those days are packed with protein and vitamins.

    FYI, Guinness is NOT low cal by beer standards. It's pretty hearty in that respect.

    Guinness is very low calorie by beer standards. 126 calories per 12 ounces if I remember correctly. Even Budweiser is 145 calories per 12 ounces. The only thing lower are the garbage "light" beers. When you compare 126 calories per 12 ounces to 300+ for most of the craft beers I drink, it's a super low option.
    Thanks! I was going to have to warm up my typing fingers and start using The Google to present the proof, but now I don't have to! :drinker: I'll take Guinness ANYDAY over a crappy light beer or ultra light beer. blech!:sick:
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    I love craft beers. We went to a local tasting last Saturday and there were so many local breweries, there was over 50 beers to taste. Obviously I didn't try them all, but the ones I did try were fantastic. Our local Oktoberfest is coming and I will just make sure I make smart food choices. No super calorie heavy meals or anything. We will be walking around like crazy so some of that will help.

    I usually limit beer drinking to one day a week. Other than that I don't really do anything different.
  • bostongeek
    bostongeek Posts: 80 Member
    Everyone seems pretty quick to jump in and diagnose the OP with a pretty intense disease. It sounds like the OP made the decision to put his weight/health ahead of his booze, and a real alcoholic wouldn't be wired for that.

    Some groups of friends drink a lot and take great care in doing it, so I can see how it would have an impact on one's social life. I'll go out to drink with some of my guy friends and they'll talk about the hops in their beers for half an hour at a time. Presumably this conversation is more interesting if you're not drinking iced tea.

    So I'm going to agree with onehurt/Mark above and just say that it's like people who want a rich chocolatey dessert--budget for it and log it and enjoy it!
  • ixap
    ixap Posts: 675 Member
    Yikes, I could never get myself to drink a beer with 500 calories! Luckily I'm a Guinness girl and its pretty low cal for beer. It's deliciously thick, creamy, and satisfying. But if microbrews are your thing and they have 500 calories, more power to you. I guess I would just suggest that the calories you DO eat on those days are packed with protein and vitamins.

    FYI, Guinness is NOT low cal by beer standards. It's pretty hearty in that respect.

    Guinness is very low calorie by beer standards. 126 calories per 12 ounces if I remember correctly. Even Budweiser is 145 calories per 12 ounces. The only thing lower are the garbage "light" beers. When you compare 126 calories per 12 ounces to 300+ for most of the craft beers I drink, it's a super low option.
    OP also said (unless it was a typo) that he has a "couple" of 22 ounce beers, so that would be more like having 4 standard bottles of beer. I can see where that would easily be 1000 calories per day of beer.
  • tadjo
    tadjo Posts: 41 Member
    Almost hate to say this but maybe trade a beer or 2 for a bong rip or 2.

    I love beer now i just stick to Guinness and red stripe mainly. I can have 3-4 or those and not need to sacrifice too much. If its a social thing try getting a beer and a water drink both before having another beer.


    lets be honest
    beer > wine > coffee > soda > water
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Yikes, I could never get myself to drink a beer with 500 calories! Luckily I'm a Guinness girl and its pretty low cal for beer. It's deliciously thick, creamy, and satisfying. But if microbrews are your thing and they have 500 calories, more power to you. I guess I would just suggest that the calories you DO eat on those days are packed with protein and vitamins.

    FYI, Guinness is NOT low cal by beer standards. It's pretty hearty in that respect.

    Guinness is very low calorie by beer standards. 126 calories per 12 ounces if I remember correctly. Even Budweiser is 145 calories per 12 ounces. The only thing lower are the garbage "light" beers. When you compare 126 calories per 12 ounces to 300+ for most of the craft beers I drink, it's a super low option.
    OP also said (unless it was a typo) that he has a "couple" of 22 ounce beers, so that would be more like having 4 standard bottles of beer. I can see where that would easily be 1000 calories per day of beer.

    and...?
  • ixap
    ixap Posts: 675 Member
    And, so it wouldn't need to be a crazy high calorie variety of beer to account for 1000 calories.
  • mearlie
    mearlie Posts: 224
    Everyone seems pretty quick to jump in and diagnose the OP with a pretty intense disease. It sounds like the OP made the decision to put his weight/health ahead of his booze, and a real alcoholic wouldn't be wired for that.

    Some groups of friends drink a lot and take great care in doing it, so I can see how it would have an impact on one's social life. I'll go out to drink with some of my guy friends and they'll talk about the hops in their beers for half an hour at a time. Presumably this conversation is more interesting if you're not drinking iced tea.

    So I'm going to agree with onehurt/Mark above and just say that it's like people who want a rich chocolatey dessert--budget for it and log it and enjoy it!

    Totally agree. Everyone is different. Dude likes his beer. Hey, at least it's respectable beer and not pee in a bottle! Cheers man, I wish I could have a good hoppy brew with you but alas I'm toasting with my gluten free watered down version. It's really not too bad though, it does have a little flavor. So here's to you. :drinker:
  • lilpoindexter
    lilpoindexter Posts: 1,122 Member
    I CUT IT out and lost 10lbs. I have no desire to drink again. Everything I could possibly ever do while drinking I have done. There are no new experiences or missed opportunities by not drinking. I used to really like to drink STella and Peroni, but I don't miss them at all. In social situations I grab a mineral water with lemon...I don't hang out with the same people as before, but it doesn't bother me. It tried going out "drinking" and only having my mineral water, put I felt stupid.
  • wendymaci
    wendymaci Posts: 61 Member
    *** Then I realized that my quality of life suffered greatly, so I started drinking again*** Wow this sounds really sad! I probably average drinking alcohol once a month so can't have any input here, apologies!


    I guess there are a lot of sad people out there. I work in the oil field and am out of town for weeks at a time. Me and the guys always have a beer or 2 pretty much every night. It's a social thing after working 12 hour days for weeks at a time it's nice to have a nice cold beer to look forward to.

    Just because you don't drink regularly doesn't mean your better than us or that we're "sad", and I don't think you need to apologize either. Having a couple of drinks daily doesn't make you an alcoholic, it just tastes damn good. I try and stick to coors light as it's only 102 calories a bottle but when I drink it I make sure to log it so I'm held accountable.
  • wendymaci
    wendymaci Posts: 61 Member
    "Then I realized that my quality of life suffered greatly, so I started drinking again, but instead of drinking every day,"

    So sad to hear this. You are better than your beer and you can move forward and away from it! Sorry but I don't drink....never really have and never will so I can't really answer your question....but I will Pray for you!


    Hey you can just drink all you want, everything will be ok because this person is going to pray for you!
  • Kitten2629
    Kitten2629 Posts: 1,358 Member
    I still want to enjoy things I enjoy. Do I know I would benefit more by giving things up? Absolutely. Could I look like some of the women on my friends lists if I chose not to indulge in things I enjoy. Absolutely! But I know that I would end up giving up completely if I couldn't enjoy things I like on a regular basis, or I would end up binging. So I eat less, or exercise to earn those things. I'm still losing weight. Just more slowly than those whom chose not to indulge themselves. I'm ok with that for myself.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    And, so it wouldn't need to be a crazy high calorie variety of beer to account for 1000 calories.

    Yes, obviously. Why did you respond to my post with that statement when it had nothing to do with that? We were discussing the calories in guinness.
  • mearlie
    mearlie Posts: 224

    I particularly like this paragraph:

    If the effect of alcohol consumption on insulin sensitivity doesn't impress you, then consider the fact that studies have consistently shown that moderate drinkers live longer than non-drinkers. This can be mainly attributed to a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease. However, alcohol also contributes to a healthier and disease-free life by protecting against Alzheimer's disease, metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, the common cold, different types of cancers, depression and many other Western diseases. The list goes on and on.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    I used to drink all day every day... yeah I was an alcoholic. Then I stopped drinking all together & my quality of life improved heaps. Why do you feel that yours didn't when you stopped? Why is it that you NEED to drink in order to make your QoL better? Kinda backwards.

    I don't care if ppl drink or not, that's their choice. But to put it down as "my quality of life suffered greatly" then I think it's time to look for other ways to make your life better. That's EXACTLY how I used to think, right before I'd open a bottle of Jack & drink the lot.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    *** Then I realized that my quality of life suffered greatly, so I started drinking again*** Wow this sounds really sad! I probably average drinking alcohol once a month so can't have any input here, apologies!


    Having a couple of drinks daily doesn't make you an alcoholic, it just tastes damn good.

    Yep that's what I'd think as well. A few drinks per day didn't make me anything worse than a casual drinker. How wrong I was.
  • Heather_Rider
    Heather_Rider Posts: 1,159 Member
    I am an alcoholic.

    I drank 18+ beers every day for over 8 years.

    Now, i know to lose weight, i have to stop, so i decided to allow myself one cheat day every week. Saturdays are my cheat day. My diary is open. Feel free to look!

    I drink beer (18 most Saturdays, sometimes more, sometimes less) and because i stay on track the rest of the week, i do fine, lose weight and im happy!! Ive been at it 85 days and ive lost 25.5 pounds. =)

    I dont eat green.. i eat everything i did before, but i use portion control. Its as simple as that!

    I wish you great success & would love to have you as a friend if you would like!