People drink all types of beer for plenty of reasons—fun, socialization, to cool off—but rarely, if ever, is it ever consumed for weight loss purposes. Alcohol, especially something as heavy and dense as beer, seems like it would be the opposite of what you should drink if you want to lose weight. Most alcoholic drinks are also very calorie-dense and contain sugar, two other reasons why they’re not the best dietary options for anyone looking to lose weight.
“Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, which makes it almost as calorie-dense as pure fat,” says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD a registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements. “The most commonly consumed beers on the market are made with low-quality ingredients and brewing methods that do not consider the amount of carbohydrates, calories, or added sugars the product contains,” Best says.
But Best says that’s a different case when it comes to Bud Light NEXT, a carb-free and wheat-free beer that she touts as being the best low-carb beer for any avid beer lovers who are looking to lose weight, but don’t want to stay away from their favorite beverage.
“Bud Light’s new beer, Bud Light NEXT, may be one of the healthiest options for those that want to enjoy beer while also losing weight,” Best says. “This beer is just 80 calories and zero carbs.”
The reason that the beer is able to stay low on calories all boils down to a science; according to Best, the brand has perfected “their enzymatic activity in the brewing process.” The enzymes, or proteins that cause chemical reactions, found in Bud Light NEXT have been able to break down the carbohydrates in the beer, a process that would normally take place in the body after drinking.
“With low-carb beer, only fat, protein, and alcohol are being counted towards the calorie content,” Best says. “Most beer does not contain fat or protein, leaving just alcohol and minimal carbs to account for the calories it contains. Because of this, fewer excess calories are being stored as fat.”
According to Best, the beer isn’t just free of carbs, but there’s also no wheat in it, which is rare among beers, although it helps Bud Light NEXT to remain carb-free.
“Very few beers are carb-free, but Bud Light achieved this while also being wheat-free,” Best says. “Bud Light NEXT is made without wheat using just barley, hops, water, and rice.”
As most beer is typically made with wheat, Bud Light NEXT is one of the few beer brands that’s possible to drink for anyone with a wheat allergy, in addition to being the best low-carb beer for weight loss.
“While this isn’t ideal for those with a gluten allergy or intolerance, it is great news for those with a wheat allergy,” Best says.
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Even though Bud Light NEXT is one of the rare beers made without wheat, it’s still considered beer, as it’s made with a grain like barley instead of wheat.
“Rather than using wheat, one of the highest carb ingredients, low-carb beer is commonly made with rice,” Best says. “Beer is made with grains, though most are made with wheat. However, rice, barley, hops, and yeast are often used for a lower carb and at times gluten-free option.”
Of course, you can’t expect to lose any weight from simply sitting back and cracking open a Bud Light NEXT, it has to be accompanied with a healthy diet and regular exercise for any results to occur.
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