Beer Drinkers' Guide To Losing Weight

Beer and weight loss are not typically associated with one another. Beer is often viewed as a fun, relaxing drink, and it is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the US. However, it is also high in calories, and drinking too much can hinder weight loss and even lead to weight gain. So, can a beer drinker lose weight? The answer is yes, but it requires finding a healthy balance and being mindful of how much beer you are drinking and how it affects your eating habits.

Drink light beer or low % ABV beer

Drinking light beer or low % ABV beer is a good strategy for beer drinkers looking to lose weight. This is because the higher the ABV, the higher the calories, as alcohol contains 7 calories per gram.

Light beers tend to have fewer calories than regular beers. For example, Bud Light Next has zero carbs and a very low calorie-to-alcohol content. Miller 64 has the lowest calorie count on its list, with only 64 calories, although its low alcohol content of 2.8% drags it down to the tenth spot. Budweiser Select 55 is another good option, with 99 calories, 3.1 grams of carbs, and 4.3% alcohol.

Drinking low % ABV beer is a good way to reduce your calorie intake, especially if you drink beer regularly. A typical beer has around 150 calories, so opting for a light beer or a beer with a lower ABV can help you cut down on calories. For example, Budweiser Light has about 40% fewer calories than the regular version.

In addition to drinking light or low % ABV beer, there are other strategies that beer drinkers can employ to lose weight. These include reducing portion sizes, drinking less frequently, and choosing lower-carb beers. It's also important to be mindful of the food choices you make while drinking beer, as alcohol can increase your appetite and lead to unhealthy food decisions.

Reduce portion size

Reducing portion size is a crucial step for beer drinkers aiming to lose weight. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

Choose Smaller Glasses or Cans

Opt for a smaller glass or a 12-ounce can instead of a larger bottle. This simple switch can help you reduce your beer intake and lower your calorie consumption.

Set a Drink Limit and Stick to It

Before you go out, decide on a drink limit and make a commitment to yourself to stick to it. For example, you could set a goal of only having one or two beers. Having a clear intention will help you stay on track and avoid overindulging.

Alternate Beer with Water

Try alternating every beer with a glass of water. This will not only keep you hydrated but may also help curb your appetite and slow your alcohol consumption. You can also try drinking a glass of water between alcoholic beverages to help pace yourself.

Opt for Low-Calorie Beers

When choosing a beer, go for options with lower alcohol by volume (ABV) percentages. Beers with lower ABV tend to have fewer calories. You can also look for light beers, which often have fewer calories than their regular counterparts.

Plan Your Meals Wisely

Eating a healthy meal before drinking can help slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. It can also help you feel fuller and reduce the temptation to binge on high-calorie bar snacks or late-night meals.

Remember, reducing portion size is just one aspect of a weight loss strategy. Combining it with other healthy habits, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, will help you achieve your weight loss goals more effectively.

Drink less frequently

Drinking less frequently is a great way for beer enthusiasts to lose weight. Here are some tips to help you cut down on your beer consumption:

Set a Drink Limit

Before you go out, plan ahead and set a drink limit for yourself. Commit to only having one or two beers and stick to it. This way, you can still enjoy a social drink without derailing your weight loss goals.

Choose Your Drinking Days

Instead of drinking every day, limit your beer consumption to only weekends or special occasions. This will help reduce the overall number of calories you consume from alcohol and give your body more opportunities to burn fat.

Alternate with Non-Alcoholic Drinks

When you do drink, alternate between beer and non-alcoholic beverages. Opt for a glass of water or soda water with lime in between beers. This will help you stay hydrated, slow down your alcohol consumption, and reduce the total number of calories you drink.

Find Alternative Ways to Relax

If you often drink beer to unwind after a long day, try finding alternative ways to relax that don't involve alcohol. For example, you could try exercising, meditating, or spending time on a hobby you enjoy. These activities can help you manage stress without compromising your weight loss goals.

Stay Accountable

Share your goal of drinking less frequently with a friend or family member who can hold you accountable. You can also track your progress by marking alcohol-free days on a calendar or keeping a journal to record your thoughts and experiences as you cut down on beer.

Remember, it's all about finding a healthy balance. By drinking less frequently and making conscious choices, you can enjoy the occasional beer while still achieving your weight loss goals.

Choose lower-carb beers

Beer drinkers looking to lose weight can consider switching to lower-carb beers. Lower-carb beers generally have less than 1g of carbs per 100 milliliters. While individual preferences vary, there are plenty of options to suit different tastes, ranging from light wheat beers to bitter India pale ales (IPAs).

• Amstel Light: This beer has about 5g of carbohydrates per serving, which is middle-of-the-road for this category. It's also light on the palate and quite refreshing.
• Blue Moon LightSky: With only 3.6g of carbs and 4% ABV, this wheat brew is a good choice if you're looking for something light and refreshing with a hint of tangerine.
• Budweiser Select 55: This beer has the lowest calories and carbs, even lower than Bud Light. It has an aroma of toasted malt and subtle hops.
• Corona Premier: This beer has fewer calories and carbs than Corona Light, which is already a popular low-carb option.
• Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty: This low-calorie IPA is a great option for those who enjoy the hoppy taste of IPAs but want to cut down on carbs and calories.
• Lagunitas DayTime: A light IPA with low alcohol content, allowing you to enjoy the characteristics of a traditional IPA with fewer calories and carbs.
• Michelob Ultra Pure Gold: This beer has a slightly better nutritional profile than the traditional Michelob Ultra, with just 2.5g of carbs and 3.8% ABV. The seven-ounce bottle contains only 55 calories and 1.5g of carbs if you want an even lower-carb option.
• Miller High Life Light: First brewed in 1975, this pilsner is the "original light beer." It has less than 3g of carbs per 12 oz serving, compared to 12g in the regular version.
• Beck's Premier Light: Beck's Brewery, which opened in the 19th century in northern Germany, offers a light beer with sweet and fruity flavors and only 3.9g of carbohydrates.
• Busch Light: According to Busch, their light beer has the same taste but with fewer calories and carbohydrates than their regular brew.
• Natural Light: Anheuser-Busch's first light beer, introduced in 1977, is a perfect beverage for easy-drinking characters, with fewer calories and carbohydrates than its regular counterpart.
• Devils Backbone Bright Tangerine Ale: This light beer, produced by Anheuser-Busch-acquired Devils Backbone Brewing Company, has citrus flavors and only 2g of carbohydrates.
• Shiner Ruby Redbird: This low-carb beer by Spoetzl Brewery, founded in 1909 in Shiner, Texas, is said to taste like a Texas ruby red grapefruit with notes of ginger.
• Surly Brewing Co. Rosé: This pink-colored beer is a good choice for those who aren't big fans of the typical beer taste. It has notes of currants and strawberries and only 2.25g of carbs.
• Bud Light Next: Bud Light fans can rejoice, as this beer offers the classic Bud Light taste with zero carbohydrates.
• Milwaukee's Best Light: Introduced in 1986, this low-calorie pale lager has a slightly bitter, malty taste and only 3.5g of carbs.
• Yuengling Light Lager 99: Yuengling describes this light lager as having a caramel malt and mild hop taste, with only 3.2g of carbs.
• Allagash Saison: This beer is on the slightly higher end of the low-carb spectrum, with 4.83g of carbs and 6.1% ABV. It's brewed with dark Belgian candi sugar, malted rye, a barley blend, and oats, resulting in a delicious citrus beverage.
• Ommegang Brut IPA: Released in 2018, this low-calorie IPA from Ommegang Brewery has a dry and bubbly champagne-like character, making it perfect for celebrations.
• Kona Light Blonde Ale: Kona Brewing Co. describes this low-calorie beer as having a pale, caramel malt taste that pairs well with seafood.
• Deschutes Da Shootz! Pilsner: This pilsner is bubbly and toasty, with a citrus taste and smell from the Tettnang, Lemondrop, and Azacca hops. It has 4.2% ABV and only 4.2g of carbs.
• Heineken Silver: Heineken Silver is another light beer option, with 2.9g of carbs per serving, compared to 11g in the original Heineken.
• Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale: This gluten-free beer from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company is a good low-carb option, with a crisp and slightly bitter taste.
• Keystone Light: This triple-filtered light beer has a crisp, smooth taste and only 5g of carbs.

When choosing a low-carb beer, look for nutritional information on the packaging or online. A good benchmark for people watching their carb intake is to aim for 5g of carbohydrates or fewer per serving, as long as you're drinking responsibly and not consuming excessive amounts.

Avoid high-fat meals or snacks when drinking

If you're a beer drinker looking to lose weight, it's important to know that beer can contribute a lot of calories to your diet, making it challenging to manage your weight. A typical beer has 150 calories, and if you have several in one sitting, you can end up with a serious calorie overload.

To avoid this, it's crucial to be mindful of the high-fat meals or snacks you consume when drinking beer. Fatty foods are calorie-dense, and when combined with the calories from beer or other alcoholic drinks, your body has an excess of energy that it needs to store. As alcohol provides a quick and easy source of energy for your body, it will prioritise burning this over other sources, leading to the excess calories from food being stored as fat.

So, what can you do? Firstly, limit the number of beers you drink per week. The fewer beers you consume, the fewer empty calories you'll be taking in. If possible, stick to one beer a day, or even better, save your drinking for the weekend and have a couple of beers on Friday or Saturday.

Secondly, be mindful of the food choices you make when drinking beer. Eating a burger with a couple of beers? Skip the fries. Opt for lean protein sources and vegetables instead of high-fat or high-calorie foods. This way, you'll be consuming fewer calories overall, making it easier to stay within a calorie deficit, which is crucial for weight loss.

Remember, it's all about balance and moderation. You can still enjoy a beer or two while working towards your weight loss goals. Just be mindful of your drinking habits and adjust your food choices accordingly.

Frequently asked questions