Beer

What are your maintenance thoughts on beer?  I'm talking 1 maybe 2 here and there. Not on a regular basis by any means. I know the carbonation is a no-no. I do not drink anything carbonated. I have never been a big soda drinker. I have not had a soda in over 9 months and I dont miss it. IF I did have a beer (probably will sooner or later) It would be the only carbonated drink I have. I just want to enjoy it and not worry about any damage it may cause. I have had a glass of wine, so its not the alcohol Im worried about. As always, I appreciate any advice. Amy 

 I haven't tried it post sleeve, because I don 't want the extra calories, lack of interest, and carbonation isn 't friendly towards my sleeve. Sparkling water and champagne have bee irritants for me, so I haven 't even tried beer. Sometimes wine has even been irritating.

This is going to be an individual thing.. carbonation never bothered me, I burp just fine as before. I enjoy sparkling water now and again and have from about 6mo onwards, same for a diet soda on occasion if the mood strikes. Beer though, other than a few sips I generally pass on due to the cal/carb for the bang factor. 

The carbonation in beer seems to not be as "harsh" as sodas to me.  I have no issue with it usually, then again I have only 1-2 a month.  I am also not a carb counter so I don't really worry about that as long as I have not gone crazy with calories that day.

Sandy - sorry to hijack the thread, but I see you and I are the same height and have the same goal weight. I've been struggling with determining a goal weight and I'd be interested in how you arrived at yours, given that so many here are way under that. I am assuming maybe BMI.

Judy

Judy - I selected because that was the weight last time I was a normal weight (not overweight or obese) but even then (25 years ago) I wanted to be smaller. But at my age and body composition I think it is a good goal to shoot for.  I will quite likely try to get a few lbs below so I can make 160 my maintenance max goal. I am actually pretty happy with my body size at the moment but really want to get to that normal BMI range. I have a medium-large frame and currently wear size 10 pants mostly and medium shirts.

Thanks for the response. I am currently 171 lbs, 5 7", almost 63 years old. But I am wearing a size 14 pants, with a medium or large top. I actually feel fine with that and when I saw my PCP yesterday, she thought I was fine like I am. But she said that 159 or 160 would be a realistic goal if I wanted to lose a little more. I haven't changed anything with my eating plan, so I'm sure I'll continue to lose and I would like a cushion. I just cant see myself getting to the 130 or 140 range like so many here do.

Judy

I am one that has not been able to handle carbonation well at all.  Tried to drink beer a couple of times, and it turned out to be pretty painful in the tummy.  I even have the problem when I try to drink diet cherry limeades from sonic.  I have to let them sit for about an hour before I can even attempt take a sip. 

 I've had a cider (not a beer drinker) and it's been fine.  I've found that 1/4 of a can of Strongbow satsifies, without too many calories or icky tummy feelings.  I've had 2 in the last 9 weeks then just let my husband finish them.

Last week I had my first beer since surgery (I am 17 months out).  It sucked.  The carbonation really gave me trouble.  Felt really bloated after a sip or two and couldn't burp to get rid of it.  After 3-4 sips, I gave up and hubby drank the rest.  

Sadly, no more beer for me!  But probably a good thing.  Wine is probably my only acceptable alcoholic drink since I try to stay away from soda in mixers.  I guess I could probably do a juice mixed drink.  Meh, alcohol makes me feel really drunk really fast now.  Which gives me the munchies.  So overall, I really don't like it anymore.  Again, probably a good thing for me!