Aussie drinkers warned that some beers pack more energy than common junk foods

08/06/2023

Cancer Council Victoria’s LiveLighter® program is urging consumers to be mindful of their beer intake ahead of Men’s Health Week, with a new analysis revealing that just a couple of bottles of full-strength beer could pack more energy than a burger from McDonalds. 

Comparing the kilojoule (kJ) content of 75 packaged beer products with select junk foods, the LiveLighter analysis found:  

• Two 355mL bottles of Corona Extra contain 1,248kJ, which is more than a McDonalds Cheeseburger 
• Two 375mL cans of Tooheys New Lager contain 1,184kJ, which is more than a slice of Pizza Hut BBQ Chicken Pizza  
• Two 375mL cans of Carlton Draught contain 1,162kJ, which is more than a quarter of a tub of Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice-Cream 
• Two 375mL bottles of XXXX Gold contain 908kJ, which is more than a medium serve of Hungry Jacks Onion Rings  
• Two 330mL bottles of Great Northern Brewing Co Original contain 858kJ, which is more than a small (28g) packet of Doritos Nacho Cheese Corn Chips 

Pairing two 375mL cans of Victoria Bitter with one small packet of chips, equating 1,883kJ, could take up nearly a quarter of the daily 8,700 kilojoules an average adult needs to maintain a healthy weight. 

“Having a couple of beers at home or in a social setting can drastically increase energy intake while adding little to no nutrients to our diet. Drinks just don’t fill us up in the same way that food does, meaning we can easily drink lots of kilojoules without realising it,” LiveLighter® Victoria’s Campaign Manager Sherly Li said.  

“These empty kilojoules can lead to excess weight, increasing the risk of 13 types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Alcohol can also have a negative impact on our liver health, mood, sleep and energy levels.”  

The single beer with the highest number of kilojoules analysed was Sheaf Stout, containing 836 kilojoules in just one 375mL bottle – that’s more than a McDonalds Soft Serve Ice-Cream with Flake. Two of these beers pack more energy than a McDonalds Double Bacon and Egg McMuffin.  

In Australia, manufacturers are not currently required to place energy kilojoules on alcohol product labels, however mandating this is under consideration by government.¹ Ms Li said this information would help consumers better understand how much energy they’re drinking and compare beer options at the bottle shop.  

“Despite what clever marketing might lead you to believe, it’s actually the alcohol – not sugar or carbs – that makes beer so high in kilojoules. To maintain a healthy weight, we suggest you limit your beer intake and opt for products with a lower alcohol content.” 

“But remember there is no safe level of alcohol consumption – regardless of whether it’s a beer, wine, or spirit – when it comes to cancer risk. Research shows that even a small amount increases your risk of cancer and the more you drink, the greater your risk.”   

By looking at the product’s label, you can see the number of standard drinks different beers contain. One standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol and is a measure that can be used to compare products. The LiveLighter analysis found that: 

• An average 375mL bottle of light beer (for example, Hahn Premium Light) equates to 0.8 standard drinks and packs more energy than a Bulla Splits Ice Cream.  
• An average 375mL can of medium-strength beer (for example, Great Northern Brewing Co Super Crisp Lager) equates to 1 standard drink and contains more energy than a Tim Tam. 
• An average 375mL can of full-strength beer (for example, 375mL of Carlton Dry) equates to 1.4 standard drinks and more kilojoules than 3 chicken nuggets. 

 The LiveLighter® website provides practical tips for cutting back on alcohol, like organising social catch ups that do not centre around drinking or assigning yourself ‘alcohol-free’ days.  

“If you are drinking alcohol², set yourself a limit, count your drinks and have a glass of water in between each. Eating something nutritious before or while drinking can also help reduce your risk of harm,” Ms Li said.  

The LiveLighter® website also contains a collection of delicious, healthy and non-alcoholic drink recipes that can be enjoyed at home or with friends.  

National Health and Medical Research Council alcohol guidelines advise that to reduce the risk of alcohol related harm or injury, Australians should not consume more than 10 standards drinks a week, and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day. 

For more information and tips to help you cut back on alcohol and make healthy choices, visit www.livelighter.org.au.  

 

-ENDS- 

 

About LiveLighter®: 

LiveLighter® is a public health education campaign which encourages Australians to lead healthier lives by being more active and making positive changes to what they eat and drink. 

livelighter.com.au has plenty of tools, resources and information to help Australians make changes to live a healthier life. 

 

Kilojoule (kJ) content of beer products study – top five beers in sample with highest kilojoule content 

Product	Serve size (mL)	Alcohol %	Kilojoules
Sheaf Stout	375mL	5.7	836
Brookvale Union Ginger Beer	330mL	4.0	821
Cascade Stout	375mL	5.8	798
Carlton Hard	375mL	6.5	746
Matilda Bay Alpha Pale Ale	375mL	5.2	735

 

Kilojoule (kJ) content of beer products study – other examples in sample cited 

Product	Serve size (mL)	Alcohol %	Kilojoules
Victoria Bitter	375mL	4.9	633
Corona Extra	355mL	4.5	624
Toohey's New Lager	375mL	4.6	592
Carlton Draught	375mL	4.6	581
Carlton Dry	375mL	4.5	521
XXXX Gold	375mL	3.5	454
Great Northern Brewing Co Original	330mL	4.2	429
Carlton Dry	375mL	4.5	521
Great Northern Brewing Co Super Crisp Lager	375mL	4.2	429
Hanh Premium Light	375mL	4.2	378

 

Kilojoule (kJ) content of common junk foods  

Product	Kilojoules
McDonalds Double Bacon and Egg McMuffin.	1,330
McDonalds Cheeseburger	1,260
1/4 tub of Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice-Cream	1,150
A slice of Pizza Hut BBQ Chicken Pizza	948
McDonalds Soft Serve Ice-Cream with Flake	804
Hungry Jacks Onion Rings (Medium)	792
Small (27g) packet of chips	617
Small (28g) packet of Doritos Nacho Cheese Corn Chips	602
Three chicken nuggets	585
Bulla Splits ice cream	380
Tim Tam	397

 

Note to editor: This study compared the kilojoule content of 75 different 330 – 375mL beer products sold in major alcohol retailers in Australia. Study findings were based off nutrition information available on brand’s company websites between May-August 2022. Some beer products could not be included in this study sample because their energy information is not publicly available. 

 

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