Happy Wednesday! For today’s MAN DAY post, I thought I would help you all out by giving you some nuggets of health knowledge….via the guys over at Be Better Guys. I know that you want to avoid the beer gut/pseudo-pregnancy look at all times. Chew carefully as you read and learn….
Drinking and Calories: A Man’s Got To Drink!
When someone tells me “Hey, man, I don’t drink,” my go-to response is, “Buddy, I’ve identified your problem.” Now I usually say that in response to someone who’s uptight and in which a little toot of booze now and then might loosen that brick from between that person’s cheeks (that guidance goes for women as well as guys).Everyone knows I drink. I used to bartend, I’ve been in bands - booze comes with the territory. It’s my vice. But I also like to keep myself fit (I don’t compete athletically but I admit I do like to house on the other dads at the neighborhood pool) so I started doing some reading on the calories in booze and what impact that has on my ability to maintain my weight. This led me to finding out a most interesting fact – when a person actively works to maintain or even lose weight, that person commonly focuses only on the caloric content of food. But what about the calories from what you drink? Are they even enough to really matter?
You bet they do. In fact, about 1/5 of the calories you intake every day come from what you drink, according to a 2006 study on obesity released by the University of North Carolina. You may think obesity is someone else’s problem and not yours, but if you’re trying to lose weight or even maintain what you currently carry, knocking back a six-pack of Dr. Peppers every day or keeping up with your orange juice addiction plays a pretty big part in whether your weight-loss efforts work or not.
Bottom line – maintaining or losing weight means watching what you eat and what you drink. Balance is important so I’m not saying you can’t have a Pepsi or some beers (or a big fat Scotch or three). Just moderate the intake to keep the empty calories from piling up.
The following is the order of what to drink from best to worst. Try to have more of the best, a little less of the worst (except on Saturdays, when the worst is, in fact, the best).
Water: You’re heard it a million times – drink glass after glass of water because that’s mostly what you’re made of – about 60% of you, in fact. Guzzle at least 6-8 cups of (8 oz) water a day if you can stand it. Now straight water can be boring. So solve your craving for Coke by drinking sparkling, flavored and/or vitamin-enriched water. They all keep you equally well hydrated. Keep water at your desk at work and hit the bottle like it’s Saturday night. Drink often when you work out. Just keep water with you.
Coffee and Tea: Yes, both coffee and tea do count as acceptable sources for your daily water intake. Good. And most teas help your immune system, also good. Several studies indicate that coffee increases brain function and may reduce certain diabetes. Even better. Of course caffeinated tea or coffee can make you a spaz if you OD on it. Not so good. Plus both are diuretics, meaning they make you want to pee even more often than regular water will. Oh, and cream and sugar? Bad. Those are empty calories, brother.
Milk: Alright, so you’re not 8-years-old anymore, but you still should drink a glass or two of milk every day. As you get older, your bones can deteriorate (osteoporosis) and before you know it, you’ll look all stooped-over like Grandpa Rufus. Stick to 1% or nonfat milk and get all the benefits of protein, calcium and Vitamin D while keeping the fat cals in check.
Diet Sodas: Diet sodas are low in sugar because they’re sweetened with sugar substitute. They have fewer calories than regular soda and as you know, practically no vitamin and mineral benefits. If you want to lose weight, deal with the weird, vaguely chemical taste of sugar substitute and introduce diet sodas to your repertoire if cola’s your bag.
Fruit Juice: Fruit juices contain a ton of sugar. They may have 100% of the daily amount of Vitamin C but you’re often taking in a whole lotta calories just to get it. Instead, eat fruit. Fruit is lower in calories, sugar, and sodium than juice and often has more vitamins and fiber. If you are going to drink fruit juice because you just can’t quit the fix, try a vegetable juice. Drinks such as V8 have much less sugar and lower cals than orange or apple juice, but also have a boatload of sodium, so pick your poison.
Sports Drinks: Sports drinks frequently contain carbs, which, while being fuel for working muscles, can inhibit your body’s ability to burn fat by overloading you with too many carbs, assuming you’re already eating and drinking well. Stick with water or a protein drink, which can help rebuild the muscle fibers that get broken down during intense exercise.
High-Energy Drinks: High-energy drinks are completely worthless. They taste weird, are loaded with sugar which makes you all hopped-up like you were on goofballs, and frankly, have dorky names that don’t enhance your virility just because the can says “Rockstar” on it. If you need a jolt, have a cup of coffee and call it a day. Or just pop an upper, for crying out loud. (Legal disclaimer: despite what we may have seen, done, or been party to, BBG does not endorse the use of prescription or recreational drugs)
Alcohol: Let’s address the adult beverage. Numerous studies have concluded that having a drink or two a day increases the length of your life, reduces heart disease, balances your checkbook and gives you superhuman strength to approach that gorgeous chick at the bar over there. Here’s the deal – all the calories in alcohol are empty. And those calories are stored instantly as fat. Plus alcohol dehydrates your body. But since a man’s gotta drink, let’s break it down so you can decide for yourself.
- Beer: Non-alcoholic, light and regular beer have between 100 and 150 calories per 12 oz bottle. Which means a six-pack is 800-900 calories. And since you’re not saving much in the calorie department between light beer and high-test beer, follow the flavor and have the leaded stuff.
- Wine: With wine, you’re looking at double the calories as beer for the same size of drink. In other words, you will take in between 100 and 150 calories per 5 oz of wine, not 12 oz, like you’d get with beer. However, wine is one of life’s affordable hand-crafted luxuries that we feel strongly about. Where else can you get something that’s five or six years old, made by hand, and costs under $15? Ok, other than a Hyundai.
- Liquor: Sadly, the higher the proof, the higher the calories. So 80 proof booze at 100 calories beats 100 proof booze at 125 calories for an ounce and a half of straight liquor. Of course, it depends on your definition of “beats.”
- Mixed Drinks: It’s the “extras” in mixed drinks that’ll add up in the calorie department. That’s why pina coladas and industrial-strength margaritas are worse for the weight-conscious than a gin and tonic, whiskey sour or a straight martini. If you’re gonna get busy, cut to the chase. Go for less froof, more proof.
I never used to think about what I was drinking as it related to maintaining my weight. But after doing some research, I have a whole new appreciation for V8 and water, of which I drink a river-full every day. And my skin’s never been clearer. Oh, and by the way, all that water does help stave off the dehydration factors of all that liquor I still can’t give up. That and a fistful of aspirin do keep me going on those hard nights when I just can’t stop at one good bourbon…or Scotch…or martini….or…..
For the original post, check here. And for you Final Four Fanatics with flair for fashion (or if you just want to win some free stuff), enter their Final Four contest here for your chance to receive a high quality shirt valued at $195. Click here to enter to win.
Have a strictly stylish day!
Torrance Stephens bka All-Mi-T
Comment by March 26, 2008 @ 8:35 am
so tell me what is man’s day, do we get free stuff?
Celena Gill
Comment by March 26, 2008 @ 8:00 pm
You get some free knowledge about how to upgrade your man status…and occasionally some opportunities to win some free stuff!
Thanks for stopping by!