Going on a diet can be frustrating, especially when you figure out that your favorite beverage will probably be high on your list of things to avoid. If you enjoy a good beverage but need to lose weight, there are a few things you need to know. Contrary to what many people believe, the beverage isn’t fattening for the reasons they think. However, it can adversely impact your weight loss journey. Let’s find out how.
Is There any Sugar Content in Beer?
People often believe that the big belly you get from drinking too much beer is due to high sugar content. The truth is, there is no sugar in beer. So why do you pack on the pounds when you drink beer regularly?
It’s the process the mixture of yeast, hops, grain, and water go through to make the beer. In the beginning, there is sugar in the mix. As the ingredients are processed into beer, the sugar is converted into alcohol. This means that beer contains carbohydrates. While the beer does not have actual sugar, the carbohydrates will convert to sugar in the body.
Beer vs. Wine: Which Has More Sugar?
Since beer has no actual sugar, you may want to see how wine compares. When you drink beer, your weight gain comes from the extra carbohydrates. Wine, on the other hand, does contain sugar. Some wines contain a lot more than others. One serving of a generic or standard wine may have as much as a gram of sugar. Five grams of sugar can be found in a white Zinfandel Rose, while a dessert wine that usually has a much sweeter taste may have as much as eight grams. With that being said, sugar or not, both beer and wine can make you gain weight.
Sugar, Beer, Alcoholic Beverages, and Their Impact on Your Health
Beer may not have an ounce of sugar in it, but it will still cause you to gain weight if you drink too much. Alcoholic beverages, on the other hand, do contain a lot of sugar. Some mixed drinks might even have up to 30 grams of sugar. In addition, sugars are often added to liqueurs and other spirits to enhance their flavors. Even though some alcoholic beverages contain no actual sugar, it doesn’t mean they won’t harm the body. Too many carbohydrates can lead to weight gain and an increase in your risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Is Drinking Beer While You’re on a Diet A Good Idea?
If you are trying to lose weight and eat a healthy diet, you should limit your beer intake. Even though it doesn’t contain sugar, the number of carbs each beer has is staggering. Allowing yourself one or two beers a day may be an okay practice if you can add a little more activity to your day. Relaxing at the end of the day with an excellent beer and some friends is a great way to de-stress, making it easier for you to focus on other healthy practices.
Trying to establish healthy habits will take time and effort on your part. For example, giving up your nightly beer can be a little upsetting. Instead of giving them up altogether, cut back at first until you have it down to just one a night. If you are trying to live a healthier lifestyle, you can start by reviewing your health insurance policy.
Call our insurance professionals at Weaver & Associates to get the answers you need about improving your health and lowering your premiums. Please schedule an appointment with us today and get the insurance-related answers you are looking for.
