Guinness: A Dieter's Beer Choice?

If you're drinking a Guinness instead of your regular beer to toast St. Patrick's Day, you may be doing more than celebrating -- you could also be helping your waistline.

Despite its dark color and full flavor, Guinness clocks in at far less calories than most average beers. In fact, at 125 calories for a 12-ounce glass, it has about 25 fewer calories than most ales or lagers. Budweiser by comparison has about 145 calories. Depending on who you ask, it's also far more satisfying than many of the ultra low-calorie beers that have flooded the market in recent years.

The good news doesn't stop there. Guinness also contains small quantities of iron, calcium, phosphates, some vitamins (including vitamin B) and fiber, according to Guinness Master Brewer, Fergal Murray.

Despite Guinness' old ad campaigns touting that the beer is "Good for You," the popular stout is quick to shy away from health claims. But we've all heard them. Supposedly, Guinness was recommended for everyone from pregnant women and the sickly to racehorses. While attending an Irish-Catholic college for my undergraduate degree, I was told one could live off of Guinness if you took a vitamin C supplement.

A study from Wisconsin also found that Guinness has antioxidants, and could even protect the heart.

But I digress. No one should live off of liquor, even if it has trace vitamins and minerals. While certainly alcohol can be a part of any diet in moderation, at the end of the day it is essentially empty calories.

Let's remember, the occasional beer or glass of wine is not to blame for the sky-high obesity rates. So go ahead and tip back a pint of Guinness in honor of its homeland. Oh, and if you decide to walk it off, it takes about 35 minutes for a 140-pound woman to burn those calories.

Looking for other healthy St. Patrick's Day recipes? Check out this entire green dinner!