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Low carb alcoholic drinks guide
Low carb alcoholic drinks – Among the many temptations that come our way on a low carb diet, it is certain that one of the most constant will be alcoholic beverages.. Can you drink and still stay on your low-carb diet? The good news is, you can – as long as you exercise some basic precautions.
Fermented beverages are derived from plants that are rich in carbohydrates – usually grapes or grains. However, during the fermentation process, most of the sugar is consumed by bacteria in order to produce real alcohol.
Some sugar may be left in, depending on the type of drink. This way, the alcohol itself is not processed as a carbohydrate by your body, and will not cause a spike in your blood sugar.
See Also:
5 Low Carb Iced Tea Recipes
Low Carb Blackberry Smoothie Recipe
Low carb beers
Low carb alcoholic drinks – Calories in alcohol
However, alcohol is quite high in calories (7 calories per gram). These calories cannot be stored by your body the way excess calories from carbohydrates or fat are.
If you have a drink while eating (which is what tends to happen), your body will first process the calories from the alcohol, making it more likely that any excess calories from the food will be stored as fat. This is why it's hard to lose weight if you drink regularly.
Best low carb alcoholic drinks to consume
Carb counts given below are approximate as there will be a lot of variation across the label depending on the brand.
- Alcoholic beverages on a low carb diet – red wine It is rich in antioxidants and very low in sugar. It contains 3-5g of carbohydrates per 5 oz glass. Be careful with fortified dessert wines such as port – these are quite high in carbohydrates.
- Alcoholic beverages on a low carb diet – dry white wines,Sparkling wines, such as Champagne, are also a good choice, with 2-5g per 5-ounce glass. White wine contains fewer antioxidants than red wine.
- Alcoholic beverages on a low carb diet – pure spirits (distilled beverages), such as vodka, brandy and whiskey contain zero carbs. The best way to have them is straight (if you’re feeling hardcore), or mixed with water or soda water. Be very cautious about other types of mixers – Coke and juices are loaded with sugar, whereas diet versions usually contain aspartame, which is not recommended in some diets.
Worst low carb alcoholic drinks to consume
- The beer It's basically liquid bread (this is very sad for me as I love beer). Carb content ranges from 12g to 30g per can, depending on the brand.
- Liquors Liqueurs such as amaretto, sambuca, campari and any other sweet-tasting liqueur are very high in carbohydrates. They are often used in cocktails, but it is best to avoid them altogether.
- Alcopops and pre-mixed cocktails like Bacardi Breezer and Smirnoff Ice are basically juice soda drinks mixed with alcohol. Avoid!
Final word of caution for low carb alcoholic drinks
The main reason we enjoy alcohol is because it makes us feel relaxed and happy.
This also means weakening self-control and inhibitions. The biggest danger of drinking on any diet is not just the alcohol consumption itself.
But once you’re a little tipsy, you might decide “Oh to hell with the diet!” and go on a massive binge. Try not to let this happen! If you do, just try to get back on the plan as quickly as possible!
Low carb alcoholic drinks – Conclusion
So to sum up – it is possible to enjoy a drink whilst in a low carb diet, but make sure that:
- Select drinks that are low in carbs, such as dry wine or spirits
- Avoid sugary cocktails and mixers
- Do it on a one-time basis (otherwise you won't lose weight)
- Don't get so drunk that you stop caring about your diet!
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