Low Carb Beers Still Have Calories   Take Another Look, Calories Are Calories By: Jim Karas

In an attempt to satisfy the growing anti-carb lobby, the beer industry has unleashed a flood of low-carb beers into the marketplace. In the past, I've discussed the current national obsession with carbohydrates. Low carb diets are all the rage. Every day I hear someone say, "I'm cutting down on carbohydrates. No more carbs for me. These low-carb beers are great. I can go out with my friends and not feel like I'm on a diet. The next morning I don't feel guilty."

This is great, right? Wrong. Generally, low-carb does not mean fewer calories. Remember America's obsession with low fat foods in the 1980's? Everyone rushed out to buy low fat cookies, ice cream yogurt - anything with the low fat label. What happened? American's waistlines expanded throughout the '80s as we were eating low fat. How can this be? We all thought we were being so healthy. Well, it's happening once again. This time it's low carb beer. This can be dangerous, diet-wise. Products such as low carb beer contain calories just as do low/no fat foods (sometimes nearly as many as regular brews) and because people equate low carb with low calories, many individuals will end up drinking even more and thus derailing their weight loss plans. Keep in mind that alcohol has calories; plenty of calories. And alcohol is a carbohydrate which is metabolized by the body into fat.

If you enjoy a beer, there's nothing wrong with one of the new low carbohydrate brands. Go ahead and enjoy yourself but be cognizant of the fact that these brands do not necessarily have fewer calories. Once again, calories count not carbs.

Notice how the new low carb Michelob Ultra (95 cal) is equal to the light beer field:

About Jim Karas

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