In this quick read, we answer the common question: does non alcoholic beer make you fat? We explain how calorie intake from beer works and alcohol’s role in weight gain.
For those who are conscious about the number of calories they consume every single day, one of the biggest questions that comes to mind, is: does non-alcoholic beers make you fat? There are many factors to take into consideration when it comes to determining the number of calories contained in a non-alcoholic beer, and how alcohol-free beers influence personal weight.
Does Non Alcoholic Beer Make You Fat?
To answer the question does non alcoholic beer make you fat, we need to understand a little of what beer is made of and how calorie intake works.
Factors and Considerations
Caloric Content and Ingredients
The biggest factor associated with weight gain is the consumption of more calories than the body needs on a given day. Although non-alcoholic beers generally have lower sugar levels, that does not necessarily mean they have lower calories.
Calories in Non Alcoholic Beer
Without question, when compared to a regular beer, the non-alcoholic variety will have far fewer calories. The alcohol itself is a result of the fermentation process, which converts sugars in the malted barley into alcohol and carbon dioxide. However, the number of calories in a non-alcoholic beer can vary greatly between different brands and styles of beer.
Ingredients in Non-Alcoholic Beer
The ingredients that are used by most brewers when producing non-alcoholic beer, are fairly similar to the ingredients used for a regular beer. That is, they will use water, hops, malted barley, and yeast. These main ingredients not only affect the taste of the beer but also affect the sugar that remains in the beer after the brewing process is completed.
Sweeteners and Flavorings
In order to enhance the taste of a non-alcoholic beer, and make it less watery, many brewers may use sweeteners or other forms of flavoring, that can actually increase the number of calories in the final product. Some brewers even utilize a method of removing the alcohol from a full-alcohol beer, in order to maintain the overall flavor of the final product.
Alcohol’s Role in Weight Gain
Alcohol is a byproduct of the fermentation process, which uses yeast to convert the sugar in the malted barley to alcohol, and other ingredients. All beers, regardless of whether they are alcoholic or non alcoholic follow the same fermentation process and use the same basic ingredients. The main difference is, of course, is the alcohol content.
Alcohol in Regular Beer
As a general rule of thumb, alcohol by itself contains roughly 7 calories per gram. Since regular beer contains alcohol, naturally, it has a higher number of calories than its non-alcoholic alternative. The density of calories within alcohol is greater than that of protein or carbohydrates. As a result, consuming large quantities of alcoholic beverages can lead to an increase in calorie consumption.
Alcohol and Appetite
At the same time, the regular consumption of alcohol has been directly linked to an increase in appetite. Since alcohol also impairs judgment, it can result in bad food choices including overeating.
This is not entirely avoided by drinking non alcoholic beer, however. For example, if you go out with a group of friends to eat a greasy meal you are just as susceptible to eating high-calorie food as your full-strength beer drinking friends due to peer pressure and the environment you are in.
Alcohol-Induced Snacking
Many alcohol drinkers also tend to snack while they are drinking. The most common types of snacks that are consumed while drinking alcoholic beers, are high-calorie, which adds to the intake of calories and weight gain.
Alcohol and Metabolism
Alcohol is also known to affect the body’s metabolism, slowing it down. When the body’s metabolism rate slows, it burns fewer calories, which can ultimately contribute to weight gain.
So, if it contains no alcohol (and therefore much less sugar), then how does non alcoholic beer make you fat? All in all, while alcohol does directly contribute to weight gain, one of the biggest culprits to weight gain is the food you eat while drinking. Alcohol breaks down inhibitions and makes you more likely to eat high-calorie foods that you might not choose to eat while sober. However, this is not a blanket rule. Some people are very good at holding to their dietary choices even while drunk, while others will find it difficult to control their eating habits regardless of whether they are sober or intoxicated.
How to Avoid Getting Fat from Non Alcoholic Beer
If you enjoy the flavor of beer but have become more conscious about maintaining your weight, then a non-alcoholic variety may be the best option for you. Not only does it allow you to savor the taste of a traditional beer, but its lower calorie count can help you have a guilt-free evening with your friends.
When done wisely, replacing regular beer with a non-alcoholic variety can help you to lose fat and manage your weight more effectively. In order to reduce the chances of gaining weight from the regular consumption of non-alcoholic beers, it’s important to balance your drinking with diet, exercise, and moderation.
Dietary Planning
Dietary planning involves the tracking of your calorie intake throughout the day. Proper dietary planning not only includes tracking the number of calories you consume from your meals, but it also needs to include the number of calories consumed from beverages like beer.
Physical Activity
In the end, everything comes down to regular physical activity throughout the day. In order to maintain your weight, you need to make sure that your calorie intake matches the number of calories you burn throughout the day. In order to lose weight, your calorie intake should be less than what you need on a given day.
Moderation as a Key
It doesn’t matter what type of beer you consume, drinking and moderation is essential to preventing weight gain. Regardless of whether you are consuming alcoholic, or non-alcoholic beverages, consuming large quantities can increase your daily calorie intake, which can increase your weight.
Fitness and Weight Management
Always make sure to balance your day with regular exercise. Being active on a daily basis increases the amount of calories that you will burn throughout the day. When you combine regular fitness with the consumption of a non-alcoholic beer, you will be able to reap the benefits of hanging out with a friend for a beer on a Friday night, without the guilt.
Balancing Diet and Exercise
Although non-alcoholic beers may have fewer calories than regular beer, always make sure to balance your consumption of any beer with plenty of exercise and a healthy diet. Pay close attention when you go out with friends to ensure that you are not accidentally consuming high-calorie snacks in the process.
Individual Variation
Unfortunately, many individuals have found that consuming non-alcoholic beer leads to weight gain, especially when it is consumed in excess amounts. It is important to pay attention to your individual response to the consumption of beer, to determine whether or not you will benefit by switching to a non-alcoholic variety.
Hydration and Satiety
One of the key factors in maintaining your weight is to ensure that your body is sufficiently hydrated. High alcohol beers have a diuretic effect which naturally dehydrates the body. A non-alcoholic beer, cannot only help to improve hydration but may also improve your sense of satiety.
Answer: Does Non Alcoholic Beer Make You Fat?
Does Non Alcoholic Beer Make You Fat?
Anything you eat has the potential to make you fat, however, compared with full-strength beer, non-alcoholic beer generally has less calories and therefore is less likely to make you fat than regular beer.
However, the answer is not as clear cut as that. Some other factors to consider whether non alcoholic beer will make you fat are:
- Non alcoholic beers usually contain less sugar, therefore they usually contain less calories… but not always.
- Some non alcoholic beers may actually contain more added sugar and sweeteners than regular beer, to compensate for loss of flavor caused by removing alcohol.
- Weight gain is often caused by the junk food you eat while drinking. This is most common with alcoholic beers, but excess eating may also occur from non alcoholic beer drinking due to social pressure.
Remember, the key to managing your weight is to balance your desire to have fun and drink some beers with your friends, and the need to consume that beer in moderation. While a non-alcoholic beer does allow you a little more leeway, this does not mean you should drink more simply because the calorie content is lower.
Importantly, if you are concerned that you may be getting fat from beer drinking, make sure you take a good look at the food you are eating while drinking. You don’t need to cut down on the good times entirely, but you may want to look for ways to reduce the temptation of eating greasy, fatty high-calorie foods while drinking. For tips to avoid eating junk food while drinking check out this NDTV article.
