Congrats, you made it to the end of 2020! Or maybe you just made it to a random Tuesday night because, well, quarantine life. Whether it is a special occasion, a fancy meal, an effort to unwind, or just hanging out with your favorite guilty pleasure TV show (Bachelorette, anyone? Love is Blind? I see you!), drinking tends to show up for a lot of us.
Alcohol, Weight Loss, and Choosing Your Drink Wisely
When we think about drinking and how it fits into a healthy lifestyle or weight loss journey, we hear all kinds of mixed messages. You might wonder: Is liquor lower in calories than beer or wine? Is there a “healthiest” alcohol option? Can you enjoy a drink without seeing it show up on the scale the next day?
For many, it feels like it just comes down to calories. But if you know me from my articles or my Salad with a Side of Fries podcast, you already know it is never just about the calories. It is about the quality of those calories. Whether you are reaching for beer, wine, or liquor, alcohol gives you empty calories. Empty calories are calories without any nutrition attached. According to the Dietary Guidelines, a shot of liquor has about 98 calories, a 12-ounce beer has 150 calories, and a 5-ounce glass of wine comes in around 120 calories.
The Real Story Behind Alcohol and Your Body
Here’s the other thing we do not always realize: It is not just the alcohol that counts. The mixers we add can seriously rack up the calorie count too, and more importantly, add even more empty calories. If you prefer liquor, you might want to steer clear of sugary mixers like soda or juice. Instead, think soda water with a wedge of fruit. It will save your healthy lifestyle and your sanity.
So the burning question remains: What is better for you, beer, wine, or liquor? Believe it or not, it doesn’t really matter. I know, it sounds crazy!
The real impact of drinking on your body and your weight loss goals is not about the calorie count. It comes down to one thing: your liver.
We have all heard it before, right? But most of us brush it off thinking it only matters for people who drink too much or have a diagnosed liver issue like fatty liver disease. The truth is, your liver plays a major role even when you are drinking moderately. Basically, your liver’s job is to detox your body, but it can only handle one task at a time. It prioritizes the most toxic thing first. Guess what tops the list? You guessed it, drinking.
And here is the kicker. Usually, when we are drinking, we are also eating. Until your liver processes the alcohol, it cannot focus on the food you just had, whether it was the greasy fried pickles or the super virtuous salad that came after. That means your body is left holding onto whatever you ate while it is busy dealing with the booze.
Creating a Realistic Wellness Plan That Works
So what is the final answer on the best drink choice? It is less about which one you choose and more about how drinking fits into your bigger plan for realistic wellness. Alcohol will likely be a part of our lives at some point. It is totally possible to enjoy it while still living a healthy lifestyle when you keep your liver and those sneaky empty calories in mind.
One tip I love to give people: You get slimmer each day you stay away from alcohol. It is about making the best choice for yourself each day. You are in control and you absolutely can do this!
And hey, if drinking has become a crutch or if it feels hard to manage, you are not alone. Reach out for help if you need it. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services National Hotline is available at 1–800–662-HELP (4357).