1. More Alcohol Means More Calories
It seems there are endless varieties of beers on the market--domestic or imported, dark or pale, ale or lager. What do all but a few have in common? They contain some percentage of alcohol, ranging from 3% to more than 12%. Light beers generally contain less alcohol than "ice-brewed" varieties or microbrews. Alcohol is more calorie-dense than carbohydrate or protein with 7 calories per gram versus 4. It makes sense then, that beer varieties with higher alcohol content typically have a higher calorie count as well.
2. Making the Best Choice
There is a popular misconception that beer is more fattening than other alcoholic beverages. Most likely, you've never heard anyone refer to a "wine belly." When you compare the typical serving size for different types of alcohol, beer contains only slightly more calories than wine or distilled spirits, such as vodka or rum. Using data from CalorieKing.com and adjusting for a typical serving, an average "regular" beer (5% alcohol) contains 153 calories per 12-fluid ounce can. An average glass of wine has about 120 to 130 calories per 5 fluid ounce glass, and an average shot of liquor provides 97 calories per 1.5 fluid ounce shot. The worst offenders are cocktails made with sugary mixers. Margaritas contain more than 46 calories per ounce--that's almost 400 calories for an 8 fluid ounce drink!
3. How Light Beer is Produced
Many calorie-conscious beer drinkers often imbibe light varieties, but few know how they're actually created. Light beers typically start as pale lagers. Brewers then modify the end product by adjusting the fermentation time, applying special techniques for processing the barley mash, using enzymes to break down the fermentable sugars and/or incorporating ingredients such as corn or rice. They may also dilute the finished product. Increasing the water content will displace some of the calories.
4. The Truth about Your Beer Belly
Ever wonder if that spare tire is really thanks to your weekly six-pack? Beer may not be the only culprit. While most research indicates that significant alcohol consumption may increase obesity risk, the effect isn't specific to beer alone. An excess of any source of calories will produce weight gain, especially with "empty" calorie sources like alcohol. Drinking beer as opposed to spirits, such as vodka or rum, does not appear to predispose you to a higher waist-to-hip ratio (a marker of abdominal obesity).
5. Beware of Beer-Friendly Foods
It's not often that a cold beer will be accompanied by a grilled chicken salad or raw vegetable platter. Typically, beer seems to go with high-fat, high-calorie foods, such as chicken wings and burgers. Alcohol in general also lowers your inhibitions and may dissolve your willpower to stick to healthy food choices. If you're trying to cut calories, consider skipping alcohol altogether or at least alternate each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water or seltzer.
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