The #1 Worst Beer for Weight Loss, Says Nutritionist
There's no doubt that beer can be a tasty beverage. However, it can also take a serious toll on your health in various ways. That includes negatively affecting your weight loss efforts and even making you gain weight.
Of course, there is a wide variety of beer—and one happens to be worse than others when it comes to affecting your weight.
"While over-consuming any type of beer is likely to hinder weight loss, the worst culprit is typically a lager or an ale," certified sports nutritionist Allison Sizemore of Couture Fitness and Lifestyle Coaching tells Eat This, Not That!
Ale and lager differ in that they rely on different kinds of yeast while being made, according to Thrillist. Apparently, "lagers are brewed using bottom-fermenting strains of yeast held at colder temperatures (around 40-52°F), while ales are brewed with a top-fermenting yeast that operates at warmer temperatures (around 55-77°F, usually)."
Related: Eating Habits to Lose Abdominal Fat As You Age, Say Dietitians
While some may believe that lagers are a relatively lighter option, that's not the case at all. In fact, lagers can sometimes make up the strongest beers being offered on a menu. On top of that, they contain quite a few calories.
"A 12-ounce ale or lager is likely to set you back by around 180 calories," Sizemore says.
Beyond that, Sizemore adds that "when it comes to weight loss, it all comes down to being in a caloric deficit. If you are consuming extra liquid calories in addition to the food you are eating, it is going to be much harder to lose or even maintain your weight than if you choose to avoid those higher-calorie beverages."
Additionally, Sizemore says, people may be more likely to make poor food choices after drinking alcohol—which, again, can affect weight loss goals.
"Add those poor food choices to the extra calories from the alcohol alone and you are setting yourself up for weight gain—or at the very least, a difficult time in losing weight," she says.
To find out which beer is a better option, be sure to read The #1 Best Beer to Drink, According to Experts.
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