Oktoberfest is renowned for its lively atmosphere and traditional delicacies, but what about the calories in Oktoberfest food? From a Maß of beer to classic Wiesn dishes, we take a closer look at the calories in Oktoberfest food and reveal what’s really inside these culinary highlights.
Calories in Beer: What’s Inside?
How Many Calories are in a Beer?
Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages at Oktoberfest. But how healthy is it? The term “beer belly” isn’t just a myth. On average, a typical Helles or Pilsner contains about 40 to 50 calories per 100 milliliters. A standard 0.5-liter bottle or can of beer adds up to about 200 to 250 calories. While that might not seem too bad, most people don’t stop at just one beer, especially during an evening in a Wiesn tent. The calories in Oktoberfest food and drinks can quickly add up.
How Many Calories Are in a Maß of Festbier?
At Oktoberfest, beer is traditionally served in a Maß, which is a full liter. This naturally increases the calorie count for “one beer” to about 400 to 500 calories. However this number can vary depending on the brewery and recipe. Stronger beer is also often served in the tents at the Wiesn. The higher the alcohol content, the more calories. A Maß of strong beer can be between 550 and up to 700 kcal.
Oktoberfest Food: What’s in the Traditional Dishes?
There’s a reason why Wiesn delicacies at Oktoberfest often taste better than their homemade counterparts. They’re typically prepared with more fat, butter, or oil and heavily seasoned with salt or sugar. While these dishes aren’t suitable for everyday consumption, it’s okay to indulge in them occasionally without too much guilt. To help you understand what you’re consuming, we’ve listed some of the most common Oktoberfest food items and their nutritional values.
Calories: Leberkäse Semmel
Due to its size, a Leberkäse Semmel might look unassuming at first glance, but don’t be fooled. Leberkäse has a high calorie density of about 440 calories per 100 grams, and the bread adds another 228 calories per 100 grams. Combined, a Leberkäse Semmel with 100 grams of Leberkäse and 50 grams of bread totals around 485 calories – and that’s without ketchup or mayonnaise.
Calories: Half a Chicken
A classic Oktoberfest food item is half a chicken. It contains about 166 calories per 100 grams. Without any sides, this portion adds up to a hefty 700 calories.
Calories: Dumplings
Whether as a main dish or a side, dumplings are always a safe choice for those watching their waistline at Oktoberfest. Potato dumplings contain only 80 calories per 100 grams, which amounts to about 178 calories per dumpling. Bread dumplings are a bit richer, with about 170 calories per 100 grams, or around 304 calories per dumpling. These numbers are without sauces – for example, a mushroom cream sauce would add about 200 calories per serving.
Calories: Käsespätzle
Käsespätzle contains about 216 calories per 100 grams. A typical Oktoberfest portion adds up to around 690 calories.
How Healthy Is Oktoberfest Food?
Healthy, Low-Calorie Food at Oktoberfest
The lower the calorie density – that is, the fewer calories per 100 grams – the more you can usually eat without worrying about your calorie intake. The lighter Oktoberfest food items are mostly found in the side dish section of the menu. These include:
Radi or Radishes
With about 15 calories per 100 grams, this light vegetable is often served in slices as a side dish or salad. Be careful, though: depending on the salad dressing, the calories per 100 grams can increase.
Sauerkraut
This well-known side dish contains only 25 calories per 100 grams, so you can enjoy it without hesitation.
Red Cabbage
Red cabbage is also good for your waistline. Although it has 10 more calories than sauerkraut, it still ranks high with only 35 calories per 100 grams. Half a kilo of red cabbage has just 175 calories.
Soups
Soups generally have a lower calorie density due to their high water content. How about a liver dumpling soup with about 140 calories per serving? Or a goulash soup with 260 calories per bowl?
Which Beer Is the Healthiest? A Ranking
As a rule of thumb: the higher the alcohol content, the more calories the beer has.
- Non-alcoholic: Unsurprisingly, non-alcoholic beer tops the calorie ranking with about 20 to 25 calories per 100 milliliters. However, if it’s a non-alcoholic Radler or mixed beer, the calorie count increases due to the sweet lemonade, bringing it to around 30 calories per 100 milliliters.
- Light beers with reduced alcohol content come next, with about 25 to 28 calories per 100 milliliters.
- Dark beer: For those who don’t want to give up alcohol, dark beer is a good choice, containing about 37 calories per 100 milliliters.
- Pils and Helles follow with about 42 calories per 100 milliliters.
- Weißbier (wheat beer), on the other hand, has about 44 calories per 100 milliliters, which adds up to around 220 calories per half-liter.
- Radler: A typical “Radler” or mixed beer combines the calories of alcohol with those of lemonade, resulting in an average of 45 calories per 100 milliliters.
- Strong beers: Finally, strong beers have the highest calorie content, ranging from 55 to 70 calories per 100 milliliters. If you prefer these stronger beers, it might be best to skip the calorie counting.
Tips for Oktoberfest: Enjoy Without Guilt
- Portion control: Enjoy smaller portions of rich dishes to reduce your calorie intake. For example, why not share a portion of Käsespätzle with a friend?
- Drink water: Drink plenty of water between beers to offset the dehydration caused by alcohol and reduce your overall calorie intake.
- Stay active: Take the opportunity to move around the festival grounds and enjoy the various attractions.
- Don’t take it too seriously: As Peter Wackel famously sings, “Wiesn is nur einmal im Jahr” (The Wiesn is only once a year). If you maintain a healthy lifestyle in your daily life, you can enjoy your Oktoberfest visit without worry.
With that in mind, we say cheers and wish you a wonderful time at Oktoberfest!
