If you are trying to limit the number of carbohydrates you are eating per day, you’re most likely going to want to cut most alcohol. Beer, especially, is a culprit for being high in both calories and carbohydrates. One beer may not seem so bad, but consuming multiple beers that come in at about 200 calories and 35 grams of carbohydrates per serving can add up—and can lead to that beer belly that everyone talks about.
However, if you still want to enjoy a drink on occasion, you should still be able to do so. If you’re a beer drinker, you’re going to want to drink the brews that don’t contain too many carbs. According to Lisa R. Young, PhD, RDN, a registered dietitian on our medical expert board and author of Finally Full, Finally Slim and The Portion Teller Plan, the best low-carb beer option to select is a light lager beer.
“The best lowest carb beers are the ‘light’ lager beers,” says Young. “In general, ‘light’ beers are going to be lower in carbs and calories. They are brewed to reduce most of the carbs and calories found in regular beer.”
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To make the lager light and low-carb, producers add enzymes to the beer that help break down the complex carbohydrates from the grains into simpler sugar units. This helps all of the carbohydrates to be broken down into fermentable sugars. After diluting the substance with water, a very light, low-carbohydrate beer is created.
Not sure what “light” beers to look for in the store? Thankfully, beer companies are joining others in creating light beers, allowing you to choose from a variety of low-carb options.
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“Here’s a good one — Miller 64 Extra Light Lager,” suggests Young.
This drink only has 3 grams of carbs and 64 calories, making it a great alternative to heavier beers.
Another light lager worth considering is Bud Light Next; the world’s first zero-carb beer. A 12-ounce serving of this beverage contains 4% alcohol by volume. It also only has about 80 calories- 28% fewer than a classic Bud Light.
These options (along with others) will give you the perfect balance of social drinking, without unwanted repercussions.
Kayla Garritano
Kayla Garritano is a Staff Writer for Eat This, Not That! She graduated from Hofstra University, where she majored in Journalism and double minored in Marketing and Creative Writing. Read more
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