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Aging Well
How Bad is Beer?Get the facts before you crack open a cold oneCan you be a carbohydrate-counter and a beer-drinker, too? The new “low-carb” beers seem to promise just that. But saving a few carbohydrates doesn’t make beer a health food, says Devayani Modak, registered dietitian at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “Drinking too much beer—even if it’s low-carb or light—is still bad for your health,” she says. Why?The calories—Beer in any form is not that high in carbohydrates. “It’s the calories you need to watch,” Modak says. “Even the lightest beer has close to 100 calories, and they add up when you’re having more than one.” Beer drinking also tends to go hand in hand with snacks loaded with empty carbohydrates (not to mention salt and fat). After a few beers, your willpower to resist these treats is likely to weaken. If you’re a carb-counter, don’t even think about drinking beer instead of eating more nutritious carbohydrates (such as whole grains and fresh produce). It’s not a healthy way to control your diet. The alcohol—Alcohol content in low-carb and light beer is close to that of regular beer (see below). Consider any 12-ounce beer the equal of a 4-ounce glass of wine or 1.5-ounce serving of spirits (80-proof whiskey, gin or vodka). “Drinking more than one or two beers a day puts you at a higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and some cancers,” says Diana Heckman, executive director of the ALERT Partnership.* It also raises your risk for accidents. Use the same caution with beer as with any alcohol, she says—don’t drive, operate machinery or participate in activities that could be affected by impaired reflexes and decision-making. If you have diabetes, remember that any form of alcohol lowers your blood sugar and can cause serious health effects if your diabetes is not well-controlled.
Want to Know More about low-calorie, non-alcoholic alternatives to beer? For a set of summer drink recipes, call 610-402-CARE. *A drug and alcohol prevention program of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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