Beer: The Cause of, and Solution to, All of Life's Problems

I have a confession: I love beer.

I love it despite the fact that it's basically punching my healthy eating habits in the face. It's full of carbs. It's full of calories. In excess, it drop kicks your liver and does a queasy number on your stomach. One non-light pilsner of the delightful libation can rack up quickly, with 150+ calories and 8g+ carbs per 12 ounces. And since the light options are at times lacking and flavorless, what is a beer-lovin girl to do? I've compiled below some tips on how to enjoy beer without going overbeered- er, overboard.


The Beer Loving Girl's Guide to... well, Loving Beer

#1: Take everything in moderation (a theme you will see come up again and again on this blog). You know that saying "too much of a good thing" ? Let's apply it here. It's tough to drink just one (especially since that initial glass relaxes you and makes the idea of another that much more enticing). But I have started to set limits before I enter drinking situations, and be sure to tell Michael my goal limit as well. I not only am watching out for myself (because let's face it, your number one coach has to be yourself), but I find support in friends and family - which can be a key factor in keeping you away from more beer than is truly optimal.

#2: Discover "kinder" alternatives to the heavy beers (or have one heavy beer and a couple of these light ones).

• Michelob Ultra (95 calories, 2.6g carbs, 3 WW Points+). Probably my favorite of the uber-light beers. A safe, refreshing beer that doesn't sacrifice much in the taste department (aka: it doesn't taste like beer-flavored water).
  
• MGD 64 (64 calories, 2.4g carbs, 2 WW Points+). I gotta be honest, I have a difficult time enjoying Miller - I just don't get along with the taste for whatever reason. But this is an EPIC light beer for all of you Miller fans out there!
  
• Budweiser Select 55 (55 calories, 1.9g carbs, 2 WW Points+). It tastes like a diet beer, pure and simple. But it is awesome for kicking back a couple with friends at a BBQ (which is how I first sampled it last weekend). My guy friends that tried it had to stifle their gag reflex (an exaggeration in my opinion :) ), but my girl friends were over the moon about it. Go figure. If I want to have a couple beers in a social gathering situation, this will be my go-to.

#3: Realize that there are health benefits to a glass of the good stuff every day (yes, every day!). One glass a day for women, two glasses a day for men. Among other things, it raises good cholesterol (HDL) levels, it contains healthy vitamins & minerals, and promotes kidney health! Some awesome links that tell more here:

• 4 Reason to Reach for a Beer (Shape Magazine, December 2011)
  
• Tap Into Beer's Health Benefits (Everyday Health, March 2011)
  
• Beer's Health Benefits, Consumed in Moderation, May Be Similar to Those of Wine (Huffington Post, November 2011)
  

Weight Watchers has put together an excellent "Cheat Sheet" on beer drinking, and I refer to it often when I know I will be in a situation where beer drinking may occur. It's a great overview on the pluses and minuses of beer drinking, and gives some great tips on beers to enjoy and beers to avoid.

It's also important to keep in mind that drinking beer in excess is not healthy, and that is not what I am trying to promote here. But it's important for me to be realistic - there are going to be days that I will drink more than the one recommended serving for my health, and I have to be aware of that fact. I am in no way promoting alcoholism with this post, or saying that you need to drink more than one or two (or any, for that matter!) in a social gathering to have a good time. This is just the way that I have come to terms with how to love beer without being excessive in consumption of calories and carbs. Like I said above, everything in moderation makes for a happy and healthy Bizzy.

All beer nutrition information referenced in this entry can be found here. I've bookmarked it and refer to it on occasion - being knowledgeable about this type of thing is extremely helpful. I feel much more comfortable when I know exactly what I am putting into my body. If you're a beer drinker like me, I recommend you bookmark it too!

Have a GREAT weekend, and a Happy Easter!  See you on Monday!