Can I Still Drink Alcohol?

Does Alcohol halt Fat loss?

I hear it all the time, but I still want to enjoy a drink on the weekend with my friends. Alcohol is not really talked about much because there is no real nutritional value. It doesn't fit into our macros of protein, fats, and carbs. Yet, most people who enjoy a drink don't want to give it up completely.

Alcohol can fit in your macros, but how? There are 7 calories per 1 gram of alcohol. In order to stay on track with your nutritional plan, you have to choose how to track. You can track as Carbs or Fat. It is fairly simple. Find the total calories of the drink. Once you have the total calories, decide how you want to log in My Fitness Pal or any other app that you are using.

For Carbs, divide the total calories by 4. For example, a White Claw Lime Seltzer has 100 calories. 100 cal/4=25g of carbs. Log the drink as 25g carbs.

If you decide to log as Fat, 100 cal/9=11g of fat. Log the drink as 11g fat.

If you decide you want to log as both, you can use that method as well. It is just takes a little more time.

Example: White Claw 100 calories

50 cal/4 = 12.5g carb

50 cal/9 = 6g fat

It is recommended that you limit alcohol consumption regardless of your goals, but you can still enjoy the occasional drink.

Plan ahead if you know you are consuming alcohol so you can make room for it in your totals.

Avoid high sugar drinks and mixers.

Be aware of the food and social environment.

Don't drink with high fat or high carb foods.

Remember, if you want to expedite progress, alcohol is not going to help. Alcohol is burned first so it halts the digestion of protein, carbs and fats. Those calories have chance of being stored as fat. It takes approximately 20 hours for your body to rid itself of alcohol. So keep in mind if you are not seeing progress, you may have to adjust your drink choices.