Weight Watchers And Beer: What You Need To Know

If you're following the Weight Watchers programme, you might be wondering if you can still enjoy a beer. The good news is that nothing is off-limits with Weight Watchers, so you can still have the occasional drink. However, it's important to remember that alcoholic drinks are typically high in calories and sugar and can hinder your weight loss progress. A standard beer contains around 130 calories per pint, and a 12 oz serving of light beer will cost you around three SmartPoints. If you're looking to relax with a drink without derailing your weight loss journey, it's best to choose lower-calorie options and practise moderation.

Light beer is a good choice

Light beer is also a healthier choice compared to calorie-laden cocktails. A Long Island Iced Tea, for example, can contain upwards of 700 calories, which equates to 18 SmartPoints. A Mai Tai is another poor choice, with around 300 calories in a small glass, amounting to 11 SmartPoints.

Light beer is also a better option than full-strength beer. A can of full-strength beer contains 570 kilojoules, while a can of mid-strength beer contains 375 kilojoules. A light beer with a low calorie count (64 calories) will cost you 2 PointsPlus, while a regular beer is 5 PointsPlus.

If you're on Weight Watchers and looking for an alcoholic drink, light beer is a great fallback option. It's easy to find in most situations, and it's a good choice if lighter cocktails are unavailable.

Vodka and soda water is a healthier option

While it is not recommended to drink alcohol every day while on Weight Watchers, the occasional alcoholic drink is allowed in moderation. If you are looking to relax after a long week without halting your weight loss progress, it is best to choose a drink that is low in SmartPoints.

You can also add a small splash of fresh fruit juice or ginger beer to your vodka and soda for extra flavour. This will increase your drink by about one to two SmartPoints, depending on the size of your splash. Vodka is also the most versatile liquor option, as it is easy to mix into cocktails without overwhelming other flavours.

If you are drinking at home, be careful to monitor your pour. Weight Watchers makes Portion Control Wine Glasses that have subtle etchings on them, making pouring the proper serving size easy.

Alcohol can stimulate your appetite

While it is not recommended to drink alcohol every day while on Weight Watchers, the occasional alcoholic drink is allowed in moderation. Light beer, wine, and cocktails made with liquor and diet-friendly ingredients are good choices.

Alcohol stimulates your appetite, and researchers have found several explanations for this. Firstly, alcohol causes blood glucose levels to rise and fall, stimulating the brain to feel hungry even when the body is not genuinely hungry. Alcohol also inhibits the secretion of leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite and contributes to feelings of fullness. Additionally, alcohol can stimulate nerve cells in the brain's hypothalamus that increase appetite and trigger extreme hunger sensations.

Furthermore, drinking alcohol can lead to cravings for salty, greasy, and fatty foods. It can also interfere with your body's ability to burn fat. While alcohol itself is high in calories, it does not contribute to the same feeling of fullness as carbohydrates, fats, or proteins. As a result, you may continue eating even after consuming a significant number of calories from alcohol.

To manage your appetite and weight while drinking, it is important to drink in moderation, choose lower-calorie alcoholic beverages, avoid drinking on an empty stomach, and be mindful of your food choices.

Diluting drinks can make them last longer

While it is not recommended to drink alcohol every day while on Weight Watchers, the occasional alcoholic drink is allowed in moderation. A standard drink is one 30ml nip of spirits, while a 150ml glass of wine or a 375ml can of full-strength beer is about 1.5 standard drinks. Diluting drinks with a low-calorie mixer is a great way to make them last longer.

Diluting drinks with a low-calorie mixer, such as lemonade, soda water, or diet coke, can turn them into a shandy, spritzer, or lager shandy. This simple trick can make your drink and your money go further. For example, a small glass of wine (150ml) is about 454 kilojoules, but when mixed with soda water, it becomes a spritzer that will last longer and still taste delicious. Similarly, a can of full-strength beer (375ml) is about 570 kilojoules, but when mixed with lemonade, it becomes a refreshing lager shandy.

Light beer is also a good option when watching your weight. A 12 oz serving of light beer will cost you around three SmartPoints, depending on the brand. Popular varieties such as Corona Light, Miller Light, and Bud Light are all three SmartPoints. Light beer is widely available and can be a great fallback option if lighter cocktails are unavailable.

It is important to remember that alcohol can interfere with your body's fat-burning ability and stimulate your appetite. It can also increase your craving for salty and greasy foods. Therefore, drinking in moderation and choosing low-calorie mixers are essential when trying to lose weight.

Alternate drinks with water

While it is not recommended to drink alcohol every day while on Weight Watchers, the occasional alcoholic drink is allowed in moderation. If you are looking for non-alcoholic alternatives, there are plenty of options.

• Hint Water: This beverage offers a splash of flavor with zero calories or sugar. It's a perfect companion for those who want to stay hydrated without compromising on taste. Hint Water comes in a variety of flavors, including watermelon, blackberry, and cherry.
• La Croix: La Croix provides a fizzy satisfaction to the taste buds without any added sweeteners. It is an excellent soda alternative and aligns well with the Weight Watchers principles. La Croix offers a broad range of flavors, including lime, grapefruit, and mango.
• Waterloo Sparkling Water: Waterloo Sparkling Water promises robust flavors without any sweeteners. Its zero-calorie attribute makes it a popular choice among Weight Watchers followers. Flavors include black cherry, watermelon, and coconut.
• Recess: Recess blends sparkling water with hemp extract and adaptogens, offering a calm yet revitalizing beverage experience. It has 1-2 SmartPoints, depending on the flavor. Flavor options include peach ginger, pomegranate hibiscus, and blackberry chai.
• Olipop: Olipop is a delightful prebiotic soda that enriches your beverage with fiber and natural flavors. It is a thoughtful drink choice for those seeking digestive health benefits alongside tasty sips. Olipop has 2-3 SmartPoints, depending on the flavor. Classic root beer, strawberry vanilla, and cinnamon cola are some of the flavors available.
• Poppi: Poppi is a prebiotic soda that combines apple cider vinegar and monk fruit extract for a tangy, sweet refreshment with health-centric attributes. It has 2-3 SmartPoints, depending on the flavor. Flavor options include peach tea, blueberry rose, and raspberry rose.
• Health-Ade Kombucha: Health-Ade Kombucha is a nutritious and flavorful beverage choice, as it is made with fermented tea enriched with probiotics and fruit juice. It has 3-4 SmartPoints, depending on the flavor. Flavors include pink lady apple, pomegranate, and ginger-lemon.
• Tiesta Tea: Tiesta Tea offers a soothing experience with its unsweetened brewed tea blended with fruit flavors. It is a low SmartPoints choice for a calm, refreshing break, with 0-1 SmartPoints depending on the flavor. Try flavors like blueberry wild child, passion berry jolt, and nutty almond cream.
• RISE Brewing Co. Nitro Cold Brew: For coffee lovers, RISE Brewing Co. offers an organic cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen, resulting in a creamy, velvety coffee delight with a caffeine punch. It has 1-2 SmartPoints, depending on the flavor. Choose from original black, oat milk latte, or classic latte.

These water-based drinks provide a range of flavors and health benefits, making them excellent alternatives to alcoholic beverages while on the Weight Watchers program.

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