The keto diet is a popular lifestyle for those wanting to lose weight and achieve better health. But can you still enjoy the occasional alcoholic drink while following the keto diet?
It is possible, but it requires some research and caution, as certain types of alcohol are higher in carbs than others.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss:
- the benefits of following a keto diet,
- what types of alcohol are low in carbs,
- which wines are lowest in carbs,
- light beer as an option for keto dieters,
- and taking precautions when enjoying alcohol on the keto diet.
Interesting Take On Alcohol And Keto
I’d like to share with you a fascinating theory a keto expert shared with me one time. I wish I could just hand you the article, but I don’t know what it is.
An argument that many anti-ketoers claim, is that being in the state of ketosis is not natural, and our body doesn’t like it. You will hear all over, how our bodies “prefer” being sugar burners.
Why? Because our bodies will use up all the available glycogen before moving on to our fats.
However. Did you know that when given alcohol, our bodies will burn through all the alcohol first, before touching glycogen?
Experts explain this by saying that the body recognizes this as toxic, and wants it expelled as quickly and efficiently as possible.
So this one keto expert suggested that maybe, maybe our body gets rid of the worst first, the second worse next, and the best form of energy last. (1. Alcohol 2. Sugars 3. Fats)
I kinda like this theory, because when you look into all the steps our body has to do to convert sugar into energy (like making insulin) it sounds like sugar isn’t what we originally wanted to burn.
Sugar alcohols are a little different (check out why here)
That is all to say that alcohol is a nasty and toxic thing to put into our bodies. . . It is responsible for killing or hurting many loved ones, and I don’t condone it. . . However, if you still want to drink it, here are the best tips for doing it as keto as possible:
The Benefits of Following a Keto Diet and How Alcohol Can Fit Into It
Keto is short for “ketogenic” and refers to a high-fat/low-carbohydrate way of eating that emphasizes consuming foods that are high in healthy fats such as olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds. By cutting out most carbohydrates from your diet (except non-starchy vegetables like broccoli or spinach), your body enters into a state called “ketosis” where it starts burning fat instead of glucose (sugar) for energy.
This leads to increased fat loss and improved mental clarity. While it may seem counterintuitive to consume alcohol while trying to lose weight or improve your health on a keto diet, it is possible if you choose wisely!
What Types of Alcohol Are Low in Carbs?
Enjoying an alcoholic drink can be an important part of a social life, so if you want to remain on your low-carb keto diet, you might be wondering what types of alcohol are okay.
The good news is that clear spirits like rum, tequila, gin and vodka are all relatively low in carbs and can be enjoyed occasionally.
However, if you choose dark liquors such as whiskey or dark rum – these have higher levels of carbs – so should be consumed in smaller quantities or avoided altogether.
Whatever type of alcohol you decide to have, remember to count the extra calories into your total daily consumption.
In general, hard liquors such as vodka, whiskey or rum contain no carbohydrates because they are distilled from grains or other plant sources.
While these drinks may contain calories from other sources such as added sugars or artificial sweeteners (which should be avoided), they will not contain any carbs per serving.
Other low-carb options include dry wines such as pinot grigio or cabernet sauvignon which have an average carb count of 4g per 5oz glass.
Hard seltzers with natural flavors are also an excellent choice since they typically contain only 1g of carbohydrates per 12oz can (or bottle). If you’re looking for something even lower in carbs than wine or hard seltzer, try opting for vodka with soda water instead – just make sure to avoid sugary mixers like cranberry juice or tonic water!
Which Wines Are Lowest in Carbs?
If you’re looking for wines that are lowest in carbs, opt for dry reds like cabernet sauvignon or pinot noir which usually have around 4g per 5oz glass.
White wines tend to be slightly higher in carbs due to their sweeter taste so look out for dry varieties like pinot grigio which have around 5g per 5oz glass.
Champagne also tends to be relatively low in sugar content so it could be a good option if you’re looking for something special!
Just remember that all alcoholic beverages should be consumed responsibly and there is no point drinking them if you don’t enjoy them – so find something that suits your taste buds!
Although keto diets are restrictive, indulging in beverages can still be an acceptable pastime for those looking to maintain their diet.
White wine tends to be the preferred alcoholic beverage for keto diehards due to the lower carbs. For instance, sauvignon blanc has only 2.7 carbohydrates per glass. This allows those who practice keto to occasionally partake in a glass of white. . . a sensible compromise that allows them to keep their alcohol consumption in check and health goals on track.
Light Beer – Is it an Option for Keto Dieters?
Light beers can definitely be enjoyed by those following a keto lifestyle but it is important to check the label before purchasing – some brands may contain up to 6g of carbohydrates per 12 oz serving depending on how much malt has been used during fermentation process!
Always opt for lighter colored beers over darker ales. Ales tend to have more malt content and therefore higher levels of carbohydrates. If you want something really light then look out for craft beers made with rice or corn syrup instead – these typically contain fewer than 2g net carbs per 12 oz serving!
Taking Precautions When Enjoying Alcohol on the Keto Diet:
It is important to remember that any type of alcoholic beverage should always be consumed responsibly and not overindulged upon – even if they do fit within the parameters of your diet plan!
Remember that alcohol will slow down your metabolism (and therefore fat burn) so try not to drink too close together with food intake – especially if you are aiming at maintaining optimal health while following the ketogenic lifestyle!
Also, take care when mixing different types of drinks together – always read labels carefully so that you know exactly what kind (and how much) carbohydrate content each one contains before deciding whether or not its best suited for your dietary needs!
Integrating Alcohol into Your Keto Lifestyle
While following a Ketogenic diet, there may come a time when one desires to enjoy a pint at the pub without going overboard on the carb count.
Surprisingly, light beer can accommodate this goal provided the consumption is kept to an occasional treat. According to expert dietary advice, if you choose to indulge in some light beer it must be factored into your daily 20-carb allowance just like any other food item
. Enjoy moderation and pay close attention to carbohydrate intake in order to stay successful and healthy on your Keto lifestyle journey.
Overall, there are several ways to enjoy alcoholic beverages without compromising your dietary goals when following the ketogenic lifestyle – just remember moderation is key!
As long as you stick with clear hard liquor drinks like vodka soda water; dry red & white wines; light beers; low carb mixers; and stay away from sugary cocktails then enjoying an occasional drink should fit easily into your regimen without any issues whatsoever!
So go ahead – raise your glass and cheers yourself towards success with the help of this helpful blog post about integrating moderate amounts of alcohol into your new healthy lifestyle today! Cheers!
- Stick to clear liquors such as rum, tequila, gin, or vodka which are low in carbs. Darker liquors like dark rum or whiskey can be consumed in lesser quantities.
- White wines tend to be lower in carbs than reds
- Light beer is an occasional option but should be tracked in order to stay within the daily 20-carb allowance.
