Alcohol and Fat Loss

Beer and other alcoholic drinker I don't believe will keep you from seeing results but when drinking too much all those calories add up. I see a lot of people at the gym that drink 3 to 4 beers a night and losing weight seems to be difficult for them. I just made the decision to avoid alcohol drinks and focus on more whole foods and it has been working great for me.

At least in extreme drinkers, the additional calories plus the slowing of the central nervous system can definitely work synergistically against you.

Jim
RunFatBoy -- Exercise for the rest of us.

I am a regualr beer drinker and i have successfully lost 50 pounds this year. I just count those calories in my daily allotment and redoce in other areas to compensate.

Seems to work fine, and by eating less and weighing less, I drink much less beer to get a buzz.

Yes, alcohol is very high in Calories. I emailed Chili's for the Calorie count on one of their margaritas (I love me some margaritas) and they were nice enough to supply it (within 24 hours)

Isn't it like, alcohol has 7 Calories per gram, compared to 4 for carbs or protein?

Definately have to minimize my alcohol intake if I'm trying to lose weight--- and eliminate the parties that all my friends want to drag me to (I'm 21)... but, it's worth it really, since alcohol has no long term good, and definately doesn't help training the next morning.

I have seen and know many beer drinkers with nothing more than large beer bellies. Skinny arms, legs, face etc. I have come to learn that the 'Beer Belly' is more than just fat, but an enlarged liver from excesive drinking. Beer bellies are more than just a weight and fat issue.

I say, No alcoholic beverages at all. I take a little sip during communion at church and a sip of champhain, but otherwise, I don't drink any alcoholic beverage.

Wine, bear, ale, rum, whiskey, and champhain just wrecks up your liver and excretes water out of your body. Best of all, when it comes to alcoholic beverages, avoid them. If you want something that contains antioxidents, try açaí, pomogranete, or goji juice.

My husband is a "skinny fat" beer drinker...he'll easily drink 3-4 cans a night. That adds up pretty fast: 500 extra calories, easily. I also like beer and drink it regularly. The difference is, I drink only one per day (two max) and I count it towards my daily intake of calories. I have hardly any visceral fat and am very lean, so I think it's more about the calories in the beer and not so much the beer itself. Booze drinks can also really pack in the calories. Some of those jumbo margaritas and pina coladas can have 500-700 calories each. Yikes!

You calorie watcher amaze me!

Something can only be too high in calories if you eat to much of it. Yes alchohol and fat have more calories per gram than protein or carbs.

But a 100 calories of alcohol, has the same calories as 100 calories of fat, carbs or protein!

The important thing is what your body does with those calories when mixed together!

When you drink alcohol, which is a prefferred fuel over everything else, your body will only burn this alcohol for energy until it's gone from your system.

Meaning you won't burn your body fat!

Same goes from eating heaps of carbohydrates! You burn the sugar, you ain't burning the fat!

The one huge group that I would say are both in "peak physical condition" and also regular beer drinkers are the beer drinking runners. Their numbers are many- peep any running website and do a search for beer.

Most athletes that I encountered who maintained an exercise routine even when they were not training also seemed to drink beer on a fairly regular basis.

I'm biased, though. I love the way it tastes!

But a 100 calories of alcohol, has the same calories as 100 calories of fat, carbs or protein!

Alcohol's calories ARE carbs. ;>)

The above quote reminded me of the question 'which is heavier, a pound of feathers or a pound of (whatever)...yes, a pound is a pound. However, a calorie is a calorie is technically correct but the body (as someone pointed out) doesn't quite see it that way.

Very true - the liver must first deal with the alcohol carb calories first before dealing with the other carb, fat or protein calories.

But the calories in a glass of beer or wine with the meal gets metabolized rather quickly compared to the rest of a meal's calories.

Key though, is moderation since the calories DO add up and the more alcohol in the system, the slower the rest of the meal is 'processed' by the body.

Very interesting article from many aspects.

About the beer belly: in all my travels I have never seen a 'wine belly'. Overweight excessive wine drinkers tended to be overweight all over, but not so viserally. Exceptions do exist, yes...as with all things.

European studies have also shown that it is the way the two drinks are drunk that is often not considered. Beer often to 'quench thirst' and guzzled/drunk faster and often without food. Wine is something one savours or accompanies with food. And a typical GLASS of beer is not the same as a properly served 'glass' of say red wine - filled a little over half the wine glass.

I think it significant to point out that here in Europe, beer is generally not downed like in N. America. It is much stronger and not so watery (as many Euro tourists to N. America report) as in N. America hence generally consumed slower and less.

Here is another link with interesting info:
http://www.thefactsaboutfitness.com/research/alcohol.htm

Personally, I can't stand the smell of beer and use it only in cooking. I enjoy our great Spanish wines in moderation and not every day.

I don't drink at all anymore, but when I did, it seemed that everytime I had more than a couple of drinks, I always felt ravernously hungry, and ate huge amounts of food. Don't know if it affects others that way, but is sure did me!

Body fat should not be a measure of internal health. The only connection is in an in-direct connection in a negative way. Obese people tend to have correlating health issues.

But assuming someone is healthy because they exercise a lot and have a low body fat is inconclusive.

Fatty Liver syndrome is one negative consequence of alcohol consumption, and some people are more susceptable than others.

Just checking if this post will be accepted. I don't understand why, but yesterday my post was not accepted. Was it because of a link I added in it (refered to similar info as in this posting on alcohol)?

the way you eat really effects your liver, and we all need to keep the old liver healthy. Drinking stresses the liver out (read again what low carb Dave says)
your liver has to "deal" with the alcohol you drank before it can deal with all of the other stuff it needs to deal with.

Youth factors in--you cannot drink at 60 they way you did at 30, (assuming you luvved to drink) and at 60 you may well still be working long hours, traveling the world over on business and putting kids thru college-- you will benefit by having a healthy liver.

Patricia - apologies for the slow publishing of your comment. The spam filters will snare anything that looks like a link - and I've been on the road this week.

As I was thinking about this post (in a pub while sipping on a nice Sauvignon) I noticed that many beer drinkers do gulp down their ale very fast indeed.

There are a many more factors involved in alcohol consumption than just drinking full stop. Some great comments here.

Just one little comment for your post, Patricia: Alcohol's calories are not from carbs, they are from ethanol. Some of the calories in an alcoholic beverage can come from carbs (the sugars in wine or the barley/malt in beer or mixers in mixed drinks), but alcohol has 7 kcals of energy per gram vs. 4 kcals/gram for a carbohydrate.

LowCarb Dave...what would YOU go by as a good indicator of "health"? I go by my cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, bloodwork/hormone/enzyme levels, fasting blood glucose level, etc. I don't think it's a coincidence that all my internal tests show I'm in peak health AND I am lean and exercise frequently. I'm not saying that you can't be fat and healthy, but weight/body fat is usually a fairly good indication of how you are treating your body.

Dave,
Hey, calorie watcher here!
Now, I understand low carb works for some people... However, surely you are not suggesting low-carb is for everybody?
I don't think I could keep up my training regimen (which will only be going up) of 90 miles a week cycle, 35 miles a week running on a low-carb existance.
Most top endurance athletes eat high-carbohydrate diets for optimal fuel and health. (IE, Lance Armstrong has been cited for his extremely high carb diet)
Naturally, I believe low-carb works for some. My ex swears by it.
I don't think you should say "You Calorie watchers amaze me" in a seemingly derogatory manner, and explain with something that is scientifically inaccurate and certainly incomplete.
Glad you found what works for you though. :)

Heather, I agree 100%. I'm also a serious athlete, sometimes training for 2 hours a day. I run 50 miles a week and there is NO WAY I could do that without carbs. I watch my calories as well and it's definitely NOT a bad thing to do. In fact, I'd rather watch my total calories and be sure that I'm getting all my nutrients in instead of just simply eliminating/reducing a very large macronutrient group just to make everything easier.

I drink about 10 beers most weeks. I usually drink with my meals: a beer with dinner a couple of nights a week, couple after work on Friday evening, couple a day on Saturday and Sunday. I've drunk like this for 20 years. I don't drink wine or spirits because they are too strong. I have a 30" waste and a BMI of 24. There are plenty of beer drinkers in similar condition at my gym, although some of the younger fellas tend to over indulge.

Thanks, Jim for letting me know! ;>D

I am in college. I love beer and alcohol :-( It is hard not to drink upwards of 15 or so beers and 20 or so other forms of drink (mixed drink, shots, etc) for a total of about 35 drinks a week. I am about 5'8, 142 and can play bball or any sport continuously for upwards of 2 hours and am in pretty decently defined shape everywhere except my belly. My main question towards all of you knowledgable people is I am trying to cut down the drinking but what would be the most effective fat losing way to do it? I drink approximately 3 or 4 days a week, at a rate of 9 drinks or so on those days. So, would it be better to cut that down to 1 day and a week and just get hammered or to try and cut it down to 5 drinks everytime I drink. Thanks :-)

Sunny, I would be more worried about your liver than your belly... It would probably be better to cut down every time you drink.

Yes, I understand the long term effects of drinking and will eventually cut it down. My question is more of a knowledge seeking question though, for someone that is trying to get defined abs would it be better to drink heavily one night or drink a few nights. I understand that the body needs to metabolize the alcohol so I was thinking that one day of heavy drinking would be better than spreading it out

to people on a health kick,
people say that beer and wine is not healthy, that is in fact incorrect, according to proffesor of human biology and medicine dr freeman he says that beer is good for you and should be taken frequently, he also advises to never eat food and starve yourself to death.

I was just wondering if there is a relationship b/w weight and alchol. For example if 2 males weigh 200 & 100lbs respectively and if they both consume 3 shots of rum each, who is more likely to get drunk faster?

I am sick of all the beer-bashing and exaggerated, hysterical warnings about how alcohol will make you fat and ruin your health and your life. The fact is that most people who drink recreationally are not problem drinkers. It reminds me of the lies we were told about other drugs. Drinkers who are fat and flabby with low muscle mass are that way for the same reason anyone else is -- bad diet with too many calories, and no exercise. I'm a 52-year-old man who drinks 2-4 beers a night and have been doing so for years. Yet I am lean and well-toned and the numbers in my lab results are great. Why? Because I carefully control my diet and I lift weights or do an aerobic workout every day. I eat almost no junk food; I prefer to spend my discretionay calories on alcohol -- I choose a beer over a candy bar (and btw, the beer actually has considerably fewer calories). I'm not recommending a high alcohol intake as part of a healthy diet. I realize it's not exactly a health food. I'm just sick of hearing obesity blamed on booze or carbs or any other particular foods. Excess fat on your body is the result of gluttony and sloth. It's apalling what crap ill-informed people will buy into (and buy literally) to avoid dieting and exercise.

"Yes, I understand the long term effects of drinking and will eventually cut it down." I suspect every alcoholic said this early on. Maybe Sunny will check in with us and tell us how it's going.

Drinkingandfit, here is some beer-bashing for you. I think that anyone who drinks every night has a psychological dependency on drinking. If someone smokes everyday, you'd say that person is dependant on tobacco. And someone who drinks everyday is dependant on alcohol. You may be fit and look better than people who don't, but that is my 0.02.

Jan, thank you for comments, and you are correct -- I have a psychological dependance on drinking. It would be better if I didn't drink. I also have a psychological dependance on physical fitness. And given the choice between my current habits versus psychological dependance on over-eating and aversion to exercise, it's for me what they call a "no-brainer". My way is much healthier. The damage done be being overweight and sedentary (and smoking, since you mentioned it) far outweighs the damage done by nightly beers. Still, you are correct; I have a psychological dependance and I am not encouraging people to drink. But I am encouraging them to eat healthy food and exercise.

I hear you, drinkingandfit. I have a major caffeine addiction, to the point that I've quit it completely for 2 months, so it was no longer physical, and I still went back to it as soon as I got the doctor's ok (I was taking medication that didn't mix with caffeine). So it is completely psychological.

As for smoking, that one I think is a public health problem, cause smokers damage everyone around them as well, whereas drinking (unless people are dumb enough to drink and drive) doesn't harm anyone else.

On topic, finally, I think the beer belly has more to do with the socializing people do when drinking, and with the bar nuts and wings that go with the beers, than with the beers themselves. Of course, for people who really binge drink, the calories add up quickly, but I'm talking about your average social drinker who goes for a beer after work.

I agree exactly, Jan -- it's the disinhibited eating behavior of drunks (and lack of exercise) that gives them that "beer belly". And many people have the pot belly without the drinking habit. Let's call it what is -- it's a "food belly". Speaking of substance addiction, I overcame one of the most diffcult ones -- cigarette smoking. I was over a pack a day. I haven't had one now in 17 years. And I know my addiction was 100% psychological because I had no physical withdrawal symptoms, yet the craving for a cigarette was intense and took a long time to go away.
As for caffeine, I used to drink 1-3 cups of coffee a day, but eventually just grew sick of it. Now I have a cup of regular tea every day plus one or more defac teas. I don't know if that makes me an addict of not. But I will not give up my beers! I hope the condition you were being medicated for is not serious and that you are well. Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
j

Oh yes, I see more teenage girls with "beer belly" these days than I see older guys in sports jerseys. While I know most teens drink, I don't think they have access to beer as often as the guys who hang out in sports bars.

Thanks for your thoughts, I'm in good health now, and preparing for another cold turkey caffeine detox. This time it is because I'm trying to have a baby.

Good for you, Jan, you are doing the right thing. I wish health and happiness for you and your new family.
j

Well, it looks like this thread has been dead for awhile, but i just came across it, so...

Really, the article even sort of covers this, but the comments sort of blow right past it.

That alchohol causes one to gain weight is one of those thing that people think must be true because everyone believes it. In reality though the facts don't back this up!

Research shows NO link between alchohol consumption and weight gain. In fact, some women lose weight when consuming alchohol. Why? Alchohol speeds up your metabolism while it is being processed. Also, it appears that the calories (energy) in alchohol are not efficiently used or stored. In other words, we pass them.

The real weight gain concern for drinkers is the snacking that can go along with drinking, the loss of judgement and binge eating caused by lowered blood sugar.

Beer bellies are really FOOD BELLIES!

If ya don't believe me, there are references:

*Kahn, H. S., et al. Stable behaviors associated with adults' 10-year change in body mass index and the likelihood of gain at the waist. American Journal of Public Health, 1997, 87(5), 747-754; Prentice, A. M. Alcohol and obesity. International Journal of Obesity, 1995, 19(Suppl. 5), S44-S50; Liu, S., et al. A prospective study of alcohol intake and change in body weight among US adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1994, 140(10), 912-920; Hellerstedt, W. L., et al. The association between alcohol intake and adiposity in the general population. American Journal of Epidemiology, 1990, 132(4), 594-611.

*Prentice, A. M. Alcohol and obesity. International Journal of Obesity, 1995, 19(Suppl. 5), S44-S50.

*Klesges, R. C., et al. Effects of alcohol intake on resting energy expenditure in young women social drinkers. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1994, 59, 805-809.

*Colditz, G., et al. Alcohol intake in relation to diet and obesity in women and men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1991, 54, 49-55.

*Jequier, E. Alcohol intake and body weight: a paradox. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999, 69, 173-174

For me, cutting out the daily martinis worked two ways:

1. Fewer calories from the gin.

2. Fewer calories from the icebox raids that stopped happening once I cut back on the booze.

So far I've lost 35 pounds since early summer when I jumped on the wagon -- no drinks during the week, highballs with only 2 oz per drink on weekends -- and started developing and eating delicious, nutritious and moderate-in-calorie recipes for my work in progress, the Cold Turkey Cookbook.

I have been drinking 6-10 beers a day for a while. I run 2 miles about 3 days a week with some muscle training. I am kind of tall so I look relatively thin. I did a body fat test and I have 25% body fat. The only place I really look fat is my spare tire around my mid section. I believe the beer plays a major role in fat. I have quit drinking and can already tell the fat is going away. I am also a lot more active now. Instead of reaching for a beer when I get home for work I am finding some other activity to do. I sure miss the beer though. But with my personality 1 or 2 is never enough. Good health to all....

Thank you :-)

hai
When a person drinks alcohol, the alcohol is absorbed by the stomach, enters the bloodstream, and goes to all the tissues. The effects of alcohol are dependent on a variety of factors, including a person's size, weight, age, and sex, as well as the amount of food and alcohol consumed.
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reena
Alcohol abuse affects millions. This site has a lot of useful information.
Alcohol Abuse