Question about alcohol and calories
a39emm
Posts: 14
So I've been frequenting these forums - every day, twice a day - for the past few weeks now. I've read a lot, and am trying to figure out what can work for me. I'm getting there. I've read all about BMR and TDEE and all that jazz and have realized (have read over and over from multiple posts) DO NOT eat under your BMR, as this is how many calories your body needs to function, etc. I've upped my cals from the 1200 recommended from the site (thank goodness lol) and what I'm wondering now is related to alcohol consumption. Do those calories really count towards keeping your body fully functional? Like, I know it's calories in calories out, and I can have my vodka club (and believe me, I'm gonna) but I'm wondering would I be better off eating real food up to my BMR and then drinking my cals, going a little over, yes, but being healthier with my body? Or are the cals from alcohol the same as all other cals and it doesn't matter if some of my cals are from food and some of them from vodka? Sorry if this is a stupid post and thanks in advance 
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Replies
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So I've been frequenting these forums - every day, twice a day - for the past few weeks now. I've read a lot, and am trying to figure out what can work for me. I'm getting there. I've read all about BMR and TDEE and all that jazz and have realized (have read over and over from multiple posts) DO NOT eat under your BMR, as this is how many calories your body needs to function, etc. I've upped my cals from the 1200 recommended from the site (thank goodness lol) and what I'm wondering now is related to alcohol consumption. Do those calories really count towards keeping your body fully functional? Like, I know it's calories in calories out, and I can have my vodka club (and believe me, I'm gonna) but I'm wondering would I be better off eating real food up to my BMR and then drinking my cals, going a little over, yes, but being healthier with my body? Or are the cals from alcohol the same as all other cals and it doesn't matter if some of my cals are from food and some of them from vodka? Sorry if this is a stupid post and thanks in advance
don't listen to me, i'm a bad influence but....i never log my drinks. Now, i'm not hitting the bars every night. But yeah, once or twice a week i get drunk. I've shed 45 lbs..so my tracking or lack therof didn't seem to affect me. moderation, i guess.0 -
i have 1-2 glasses of wine most nights, and more at the weekend. I'm 12kg down since boxing day. I log it and use the wine calories to bump me up to BMR. works for me0
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use common sense.
Hahaha yah not so common, and I'm the worst for it :P But I'm not planning on drinking all my cals in alcohol (not more than once a week lol!) My question is a bit confusing - I'm confused! - there's a lot of info here to absorb. I just want to make sure I'm getting enough nutrition and not compromising that by using say a chunk of my cals on alcohol. But I guess one day isn't going to kill me and, as always, I'm guilty of waaayyy over-thinking things. Thanks everyone, for your answers, yall are terrific0 -
I would eat a little something before you drink that is healthy. I know when I tend to drink... I want to eat something very bad for me. If you have something to eat before hand maybe that would curb it a little... you never can plan for things while drinking. But yes I would still try to put nutrients in your body just leave a few hundred calories and if you still go over.. no biggie, cut back later in the week or something. IT's never hindered my weight loss. I typically drink Long islands.. (like 4 or 5) and Captains and 7up. (maybe like 5/6?) I know it pushes me over my limit, but I don't gain from it.0
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So I've been frequenting these forums - every day, twice a day - for the past few weeks now. I've read a lot, and am trying to figure out what can work for me. I'm getting there. I've read all about BMR and TDEE and all that jazz and have realized (have read over and over from multiple posts) DO NOT eat under your BMR, as this is how many calories your body needs to function, etc. I've upped my cals from the 1200 recommended from the site (thank goodness lol) and what I'm wondering now is related to alcohol consumption. Do those calories really count towards keeping your body fully functional? Like, I know it's calories in calories out, and I can have my vodka club (and believe me, I'm gonna) but I'm wondering would I be better off eating real food up to my BMR and then drinking my cals, going a little over, yes, but being healthier with my body? Or are the cals from alcohol the same as all other cals and it doesn't matter if some of my cals are from food and some of them from vodka? Sorry if this is a stupid post and thanks in advance
carbs= 4cals per gram
fats= 9cals per gram
proteins= 4cals per gram
Alcohol= 7cals per gram
There are a lot of deficiencies that come from drinking too much alcohol, doesnt sound like your a big drinker though. The problem with most alcoholic beverages is that they are mostly empty calories, especially hard liquors. So your thinking is sound to make sure you get your required nutrients, and then decide to hit the booze.
Try to eat nutrient dense foods. its challenging, rewarding, and healthy.0 -
If you're drinking you're not really looking for optimal health.
who says? Drinking can be part of a normal healthy lifestyle...0 -
If you're drinking you're not really looking for optimal health.
who says? Drinking can be part of a normal healthy lifestyle...
Drinking causes more harm than good. Of course there are scores of people who have only a glass of red wine 3x a week, but there is also a much more frightening trend that most people tend to take.0 -
If you're drinking you're not really looking for optimal health.
who says? Drinking can be part of a normal healthy lifestyle...
Drinking causes more harm than good. Of course there are scores of people who have only a glass of red wine 3x a week, but there is also a much more frightening trend that most people tend to take.
Sorry, but that's a bit narrow minded.
I think in order for a lifestyle change like this to be successful, people need to be conscious of the good and bad from what they choose to consume, not judged for making choices that some disagree with0 -
If you're drinking you're not really looking for optimal health.
who says? Drinking can be part of a normal healthy lifestyle...
Drinking causes more harm than good. Of course there are scores of people who have only a glass of red wine 3x a week, but there is also a much more frightening trend that most people tend to take.
Sorry, but that's a bit narrow minded.
I think in order for a lifestyle change like this to be successful, people need to be conscious of the good and bad from what they choose to consume, not judged for making choices that some disagree with
whether its narrow minded or not doesn't matter. Alcohol is all too often an abused substance. Women, especially young white women are more prone to alcoholism than just about any other demographic. You can play Russian Roulette for the thrill, but why not play something else?0 -
If you're drinking you're not really looking for optimal health.
who says? Drinking can be part of a normal healthy lifestyle...
Drinking causes more harm than good. Of course there are scores of people who have only a glass of red wine 3x a week, but there is also a much more frightening trend that most people tend to take.
Sorry, but that's a bit narrow minded.
I think in order for a lifestyle change like this to be successful, people need to be conscious of the good and bad from what they choose to consume, not judged for making choices that some disagree with
whether its narrow minded or not doesn't matter. Alcohol is all too often an abused substance. Women, especially young white women are more prone to alcoholism than just about any other demographic. You can play Russian Roulette for the thrill, but why not play something else?
having the occasional drink - hell having a drink or two every day - does not make one an alcoholic. Routinely getting drunk to the point where it affects your life, and you can't go a day without drinking is what makes you an alcoholic. Yes, alcohol is often abused. But a drink or two is NOT alcoholism.0 -
staying out of this thread now - the OP had a question, I hope it was answered. ****heads who wanna say people have alcohol probs because they enjoy a drink can say it all they like - doesn't make it true0
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This. Calories are calories, regardless whether you get them from eating 500 lb spinach, or a big mac. Look at your total calories intake for the day and try to stay inside. Many people look at the total number of calories in a week, so if they go overboard one day they scale down the others.Or are the cals from alcohol the same as all other cals and it doesn't matter if some of my cals are from food and some of them from vodka?0 -
me not being able to have a beer or two on the weekend is only harmful to those around me. Take your moral judgment elsewhere.If you're drinking you're not really looking for optimal health.
who says? Drinking can be part of a normal healthy lifestyle...
Drinking causes more harm than good. Of course there are scores of people who have only a glass of red wine 3x a week, but there is also a much more frightening trend that most people tend to take.
Sorry, but that's a bit narrow minded.
I think in order for a lifestyle change like this to be successful, people need to be conscious of the good and bad from what they choose to consume, not judged for making choices that some disagree with
whether its narrow minded or not doesn't matter. Alcohol is all too often an abused substance. Women, especially young white women are more prone to alcoholism than just about any other demographic. You can play Russian Roulette for the thrill, but why not play something else?
If I cared for a sermon, I'd go to church. There are plenty around.0 -
me not being able to have a beer or two on the weekend is only harmful to those around me. Take your moral judgment elsewhere.If you're drinking you're not really looking for optimal health.
who says? Drinking can be part of a normal healthy lifestyle...
Drinking causes more harm than good. Of course there are scores of people who have only a glass of red wine 3x a week, but there is also a much more frightening trend that most people tend to take.
Sorry, but that's a bit narrow minded.
I think in order for a lifestyle change like this to be successful, people need to be conscious of the good and bad from what they choose to consume, not judged for making choices that some disagree with
whether its narrow minded or not doesn't matter. Alcohol is all too often an abused substance. Women, especially young white women are more prone to alcoholism than just about any other demographic. You can play Russian Roulette for the thrill, but why not play something else?
If I cared for a sermon, I'd go to church. There are plenty around.
right, so I bring up a proven statistic about drinking and you tell me I am passing moral judgement. Makes perfect sense.0 -
me not being able to have a beer or two on the weekend is only harmful to those around me. Take your moral judgment elsewhere.If you're drinking you're not really looking for optimal health.
who says? Drinking can be part of a normal healthy lifestyle...
Drinking causes more harm than good. Of course there are scores of people who have only a glass of red wine 3x a week, but there is also a much more frightening trend that most people tend to take.
Sorry, but that's a bit narrow minded.
I think in order for a lifestyle change like this to be successful, people need to be conscious of the good and bad from what they choose to consume, not judged for making choices that some disagree with
whether its narrow minded or not doesn't matter. Alcohol is all too often an abused substance. Women, especially young white women are more prone to alcoholism than just about any other demographic. You can play Russian Roulette for the thrill, but why not play something else?
If I cared for a sermon, I'd go to church. There are plenty around.
right, so I bring up a proven statistic about drinking and you tell me I am passing moral judgement. Makes perfect sense.
did I e-stutter? what's the point in talking about all-too-abused things? the OP wasn't asking about that now were they?
comparing having a drink to russian roulette is like "here, play tetris or go eat a lot of acid and jump around in traffic."
I can type slower if that'd help.0 -
did I e-stutter? what's the point in talking about all-too-abused things? the OP wasn't asking about that now were they?
What matters is that 15% of the people in America are considered problem drinkers. No one really knows if they have a propensity for alcoholism until after they have started drinking. Like I said earlier, its a game of Russian Roulette.0 -
did I e-stutter? what's the point in talking about all-too-abused things? the OP wasn't asking about that now were they?
What matters is that 15% of the people in America are considered problem drinkers. No one really knows if they have a propensity for alcoholism until after they have started drinking. Like I said earlier, its a game of Russian Roulette.
and did the OP ask for a sermon?
no. didn't think so. Hand out your pamphlets elsewhere.
Dear OP: I'll make this easy.
I've lost 152 lbs since Feb. 2012.
I've had a beer or wine here and there.
It won't hurt if it fits in your macros.
the rest can go suck a lemon.
you're welcome, and cheers.0 -
Couldn't live with out my glass of wine sometimes and don't want to cut something out that I like! God how boring life would be, I simply fit alcohol into my daily allowance. I know I'm typically gonna have a few glasses on a Saturday so I save a little from each day during week to have extra on a sat. So still under weekly calorie goal! The world will end that day I can't eat chocolate or have a glass wine!!0
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