Wine or beer? – What’s Better for Weight Loss
Recently, a member shared that she chose to pour her drink down the drain one evening to avoid the extra calories. She also asked what would be the better option for her weight loss goals if she were to enjoy a drink over the holidays. Here’s what we shared with her:
Q & A: What’s Better for Weight Loss: Wine or Beer??
A: When comparing beer to wine ounce for ounce, beer is the winner. Wine has around 24 calories per ounce, while beer has approximately 13 calories per ounce. Since weight loss is all about managing calories, beer seems like the better option.
However, a typical serving of wine (5oz) contains 118 calories, while a 12oz serving of beer has 147 calories. So, if you’re picking from your minibar, a bottle of wine will likely have fewer calories than a bottle of beer.
That said, there are also low-calorie beers available, with some containing 90 calories or fewer.
I also stumbled upon a funny internet post claiming that if you fill an empty wine bottle with water, it has zero calories. So, maybe water is the real winner here! Hopefully, this helps clear up any confusion.
Watch Your Pour
Beer usually comes in single-serving bottles or cans, which helps with portion control. Wine in a hotel minibar is often in single-serving bottles as well, but at home, it’s typically sold in 25oz bottles (equivalent to about five servings). During my middle and high school years, I learned that alcohol servings are directly related to the size of the bottle you buy… I also realized that I had a drinking problem, but that’s another story.
Bottom Line:
- Opt for the lowest-calorie beer you enjoy. This doesn’t mean the best-tasting beer, just the lower-calorie option you’re okay with.
- Buy wine in single servings. Yes, it costs more, but this small expense can help curb your consumption and save you some calories.
- Choose either wine, beer, or dessert, not all three. Most people don’t burn enough calories to have both. Teenagers and pro athletes might be the exception!
- 1-2 servings of alcohol (200-300 calories) are typically lower in calories than dessert. Most restaurant desserts are 800 calories or more.
- Know yourself. If drinking leads to overeating or leaves you with a terrible hangover, then #4 might not be the best option for you.
Here’s a great visual sharing what’s better for weight loss: Wine or Beer?
And if you’d like to see what our clients have to say – check it out HERE.