You’ve got a few ways to keep tabs on your alcohol intake, and they’re all pretty good, with some being a bit more accurate and effective. One simple way is to use a food tracking app like My Macros+ that has info on various drinks.

Another way is to treat alcohol like one of the other macronutrients, and it’s more precise to log it as carbs or fat instead of protein. This is because when you have alcohol, your body slows down on processing carbs and fats. Therefore, it makes sense to think of alcohol as either a carb or fat in terms of nutrients.

If you go with the second method, there are some easy ways to do it:

1. If you’re tracking it as fat, you need to divide the total number of calories of your alcoholic beverage by 9.

2. If you’re logging in as a carb, divide the total number of calories of your drink by 4.

3. Alternatively, you can choose a 50-50 combination of carbs and fat. In this case, divide the total number of calories by 9 and 4 for each 50%. It’s all about finding what works best for you!

IIFYM Macro Alcohol Calculator helps you calculate the exact number of calories in your drinks, so you can convert them into carbs and/or fat.

The short answer is ‘Yes’. Alcohol is a type of nutrient, but when we’re counting our macros, we treat it like a fat, carb, or a mix of both. To figure out how much of each macro is in alcohol, you need to know the number of calories it has.

So, in simpler terms, alcohol is the 4th macronutrient. It does have calories, but because it doesn’t provide essential micronutrients like vitamins and minerals, companies can claim their drinks have zero carbs, zero fats, and zero proteins on their label.

Even though alcohol gives you energy, it’s not officially considered food. The food guides generally don’t include alcohol because it’s a fluid, not a solid food.

However, don’t forget that alcohol does contain calories, and you need to account for them in your diet routine. While alcohol itself isn’t a carb, protein, or fat, it provides about 7 calories/gram—placing it between carbs(4 calories per gram) and fat (9 calories per gram). So, those alcohol calories need a spot on your energy intake chart.

For those who love having a drink while following a flexible diet like IIFYM Macro diet, here’s good news! You can enjoy adult beverages guilt-free. Whether it’s a glass of wine or some other alcoholic drink, we’ve got your back. Check out our top five list of macro-friendly alcoholic drinks:

1. Rum and Diet Coke:

• A popular choice.
• Make it low-calorie by swapping regular Coke for the diet version. A slice of lime complements it well!

Macronutrients: Calories – 64 calories, carbs – 16g carbs, protein – 0g, fat – 0g

2. Whiskey and Ginger Ale:

• If you prefer whiskey? No problem!
• Go for Diet Coke, or try diet ginger ale for a change.

Macronutrients: Calories – 70 calories, Carbs – 18g carbs, protein – 0g protein, fat – 0g

3. Vodka with Diet Tonic:

•  A classic choice!
• Soda and tonic waters have zero calories, making them the perfect pick for fitting into your macros.
• We chose vodka, but you can also go for gin or some other clear liquor. Just add some lime, and you’re good to go!

 Macronutrients: Calories – 64 calories /Carbs- 16g carbs, protein – 0g/Fat – 0 g 

4. Hard Seltzers:

• Hard seltzers are a party favorite. Many options are available.
• Most brands have around 100 calories/can, making them a perfect light alcoholic choice with various flavors.

Macronutrients in a 12-oz can: Calories – 100 calories, Carbs – 25g carbs, protein – 0g, fat – 0g. 

Cheers to guilt-free enjoyment!

Among all alcoholic beverages, red wine is often regarded as the healthiest. Numerous studies suggest that it offers many health advantages compared to other types of alcohol. If you’re looking to burn fat you can choose a lighter red wine with lower alcohol content. These varieties contain fewer than 125 calories.

Let’s take a look at some of the least calorie-packed alcoholic drinks for those watching their intake:

Vodka: 

The lowest-calorie alcohol, with around 100 calories in a 50ml double measure.

Whisky: 

Slightly more, at approximately 110 calories per shot.

Gin and Tequila: 

Also around 110 calories per shot.

So, if you’re aiming for fewer calories, these options might be your best bet. Cheers to making mindful choices!

Cutting out alcohol for an extended period could bring positive changes. You might notice weight loss, a better body composition, less belly fat, and improved triglyceride levels (these are fat particles in your blood).

Having too much alcohol can lead to negative effects on the body, like gaining weight. Alcohol messes with hormones that regulate appetite, stress, and hunger. Plus, it packs a bunch of calories and tends to add to that pesky belly fat.

Vodka on its own isn’t a high-calorie drink, and chances are you won’t be downing more than half a liter in one go. However, what you eat with it can lead to fat gain. Alcohol, like vodka, can boost your appetite, and when you’re tipsy, you might not pay much attention to the amount of food or calories you consume.

Here’s the science: Alcohol, including vodka, messes with your body’s fat-burning process. Normally, your liver breaks down fats for energy. But when alcohol is in the picture, your liver prioritizes breaking down the alcohol first. This puts the brakes on fat metabolism.

In case you want to lose some weight, scaling down on alcoholic drinks can give your weight loss journey a boost. Alcohol can contribute to weight gain in several ways. Firstly, it’s packed with calories, and certain mixed drinks can be as caloric as a whole meal, minus the essential nutrients.  

Expanding on this idea, a standard 1.5-ounce serving of your typical 86-proof whiskey only has about 100 calories. 

No matter what the answer is, it’s crucial to drink alcohol responsibly and in moderation. Follow the CDC’s advice, which suggests limiting daily intake of your preferred alcohol to only 1-2 drinks for men and just 1 drink for women.

Your total calorie intake is key. Having only a couple of drinks a night might not make you gain a lot of weight, but make sure to think about the overall calories in your diet. If you’re already on a high-calorie diet, adding two beers every night could result in significant weight gain over time.

Rum doesn’t have carbs, protein, or fat. But here’s the deal: there are 14 grams of alcohol in rum, and alcohol has 7 calories per gram. So, when you have rum neat or on the rocks, you’ll get all these alcohol calories.

Additionally, rum can slow down your metabolism and make it harder for your body to burn fat. Still, if you enjoy rum in moderation and pair it with a nutritious macro-based diet plan and daily exercise, it might not have a big impact on your weight. Balance is the key!

Drinking too much alcohol can cause something called alcoholic fatty liver, which harms your liver and messes with how your body handles carbs and fats. This can make it tough to lose weight because it changes the way your body extracts energy from your food.

Exercises like crunches can tone your abdominal muscles, but they don’t specifically target belly fat. However, if you’re aiming to lose that beer belly, shedding overall body weight is key. The basic idea for weight loss is simple: your calorie expenditure should exceed your calorie intake.