Have you ever heard the term “beer belly”? Well, it’s true. Drinking beer can lead to a budlging belly that calls for an extra notch or two on the belt. So if you’re counting calories or even looking to lose weight, then you should think twice before gulping down that beer in your hand.
Alcohol and Calories
Have you ever stopped to think about what you’re drinking? Think about a soda; you know there are calories in a glass of Coca-Cola, so why wouldn’t there be calories in your alcoholic beverage?
Take an average glass of beer for example. There are approximately 150 calories in a 12-ounce glass of beer. You will probably be eating along with that beer because, after all, what’s better than some good ole honey dripping wings (or pizza) with that beer? Now you not only are faced with the 150 calories in that cold beer, but you’re combining it with those wings, and probably a side of greasy fries (be honest). You’re setting yourself up for disaster.
Oh, you can say that you won’t eat, or you might even say you’ll stop at one beer, but you know that plan will go out the window as soon as you get started.
Okay, so beer isn’t your thing. Do you think a glass of wine or a wine cooler is better? A glass of red wine has approximately 80 calories, and a wine cooler contains approximately 150 calories. You don’t even want to know how many calories are lurking in that margarita you’re about to indulge in when you eat those cheesy nachos!
If you think this is an exaggeration, check out this convenient alcohol calorie calculator that is graciously provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
The Negative Side Effects of Drinking Alcohol
While you may think that drinking a glass of beer with those wings or having a margarita with a serving of cheesy nachos will be okay, in reality, you’re setting yourself up for a bigger problem than just gaining weight. Once you start to drink, no matter how disciplined you might think you are, the plan usually fails. The reason for this is because of the addiction linked to drinking alcohol. Once you start, your brain begins to feel the effects, and then you start to crave more until you get out of control. It can literally be a one night stand between you, alcohol, and enough calories to fill the entire week, all consumed in one sitting.
Sure, you can say that it won’t happen to you, but it will. Have you ever been to a party filled with alcohol and you catch yourself saying, “Well, it won’t hurt to have just one more.” That one more leads to another and maybe another, that’s just the way it works. Why? Because your brain is already somewhat impaired after just one drink. Now you’re not just risking extra pounds that may or may not be countered by the gym – you’re flirting with binge drinking, getting drunk, a DWI if you choose to drive, and maybe even the start of alcohol abuse or addiction.