Beer or Vodka?

also depends if you're just having one drink at home, say in the evening or with dinner, or if you're going out/having multiple drinks, if it's just the one, drink whatever you like

Neither, bourbon for me, in moderation of course. I know there's research that says alcohol kills fat loss, but I find I can do OK if I keep it to a couple of days a week.

It's not junk science. Alcohol has effects on fat loss, you just chose to believe what reinforces what you want to do. Anyone is free to enjoy alcohol but they have to accept that it comes with slowed progress. You people are brainwashed into think the human body functions like a mathematical equation and that calories are the only thing that makes a difference. Educate yourself.

Calories in calories out is actually junk science lady. See how far it gets you.

patslitzker wrote: »

I lost a few pounds when I first started dieting too. When you don't have such a large amount to lose you have to actually use your brain and think about what foods you're putting in your mouth. Anyways I don't care if you take my advice or believe it, it wasn't for you.

Using your brain is understanding the laws of thermodynamics.

Love my booze.... Another MFP posted this website and it's great.

www.getdrunknotfat.com Basically you can calculate the booze to calorie ratio to get the best bang for your buck.

barblyons40 wrote: »

I love Miller Lite (96 calories per 12 oz) but it's a diet killer. Is it better to switch to vodka (65 calories per 1 oz) for the waistline even though it has 35% alcohol vs 4.2% for Miller Lite? At what point do you trade calories for liver function?

Vodka: 35% x 1 oz. = 0.35 oz alcohol
Beer: 4.2% x 12oz = 0.504 oz alcohol

I wouldn't drink Miller Lite if you paid me (rather have real water, thanks), but I'm not seeing the tradeoff. The beer has more calories and more alcohol.

But the difference is minor, on both fronts, if you don't drink lots of either, often. Drink what you enjoy, within your calorie goal. Don't let alcohol regularly drive out your nutrition to hit calories, or let alcohol drive out water either. You'll be fine.

But maybe I drank too much craft beer while losing 60+ pounds, ruining both liver and brain, thus ability to do arithmetic?

patslitzker wrote: »

What you're saying actually violates the second law on thermodynamics. It's not just one law, there are two laws of thermodynamics. The first law describes the conservation of energy which is where most people tend to quote from and the second law describes the efficiency of energy which when applied to humans instead of machines is applicable to the chemical reactions the calories you consume have on the metabolism. So using the law of thermodynamics to back up your opinion actually makes you look pretty damn stupid.

Maybe you could enlighten us all then, on how weight loss does work, since you don't think it results from keeping calories in less than calories out...

I think my point got missed between the back and forth. I'm not saying that calories don't matter, they're the biggest part of weight loss. My original point was that they're not the only part of weight loss, and the calories from alcohol can definitely effect you differently than other calories such as protein.

patslitzker wrote: »

I found an article published by the department of biochemistry in New York State if you're interested in checking it out. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC506782/#!po=31.2500

And there are studies that show that in the long run there really is no discernible difference...

https://www.bemorenutrition.com/2017/01/20/low-fat-vs-low-carb-which-is-better-for-fat-loss-research-review/

My problem is usually never the drink of choice, it's craving salty junk food the next day. I always include drinks in my calories if and when I ever have them, and have definitely switched to light beers (Coors Light or Mich Ultra) if I really want beer. Otherwise I do vodka/tequila sodas with a twist. I'm willing to make the sacrifice for lower calories. It's knowing that drinks cause cravings the next day, so I really limit my drinking.

My theory is don't give up anything you wouldn't give up forever, because it's about retraining your habits to help yourself long-term. Just lessen it, or figure out what works best for you. I like to consider alcohol in the category of once-in-a-special-while foods like pizza. (Not saying alcohol and pizza are the same! You get it, I hope!)

barblyons40 wrote: »

I love Miller Lite (96 calories per 12 oz) but it's a diet killer. Is it better to switch to vodka (65 calories per 1 oz) for the waistline even though it has 35% alcohol vs 4.2% for Miller Lite? At what point do you trade calories for liver function?

Vodka is no worse for your liver than beer, assuming your alcohol intake is similar.

Personally, I drink bourbon and beer, and eat pizza and whatever else I want. I just do it in moderation. I also eat very low cal during the week so that I can do whatever I want on the weekends.

Nobody HAS to give up anything they really like in order to lose weight or to get fit. Just do the work and eat sensibly.

patslitzker wrote: »

I just linked a very credible source, you could do the same and not the first thing that turns up on Google.

It's credible and there are many like it...actually, quite a lengthy discussion on that link over the last couple of days...there are actually people here who are quite knowledgeable and have had quite a bit of success with things...maybe lurk a bit rather than blasting people who've been there and done that and have the t-shirt and have been quite successful here.