Keto is one of the most popular meal plans for those who want to reduce their weight. It is quite simple to start following this diet. The key is to intake very low or no carbs, while focusing on meals that has a lot of fat and protein. The goal is to achieve ketosis, which is a process where your body is burning the excess fat.
Starting to follow this diet is not simple for everyone, and it very much depends on your habits and determination. Also, there are many potential mistakes people are not aware of, such as alcohol. Even though most drinks don’t contain a lot of calories, the problem is related to the amount of sugar in them. On the other hand, there are some alcohol drinks that you will be able to enjoy, such as some sorts of wine, and you can check this keto wines review to find the right one.
Keep in mind that avoiding the most important rules, like avoiding sugar, will prevent your body from achieving ketosis. In that matter, it is essential to stop high intake of it. You can still enjoy in a favorite glass of wine, and here are the best options compatible with keto.
Interaction between Keto and Alcohol
First of all, we have to mention that it is not a serious issue if you only have a glass or two from time to time. However, if you have a habit of having few glasses every day, that could interfere with the efficiency of the special meal plan you are following.
To understand this, it is important to know how the process starts in your body. The liver will start converting excess fat into energy, and it cannot be done with higher intake of sugar. Therefore, even one glass will slow it down.
Another significant connection is related to tolerance to drinking, which will be lower. That is also a reason to avoid the booze, especially due to the fact that it will only motivate you to start eating carbs again. The liver will immediately start processing the sugars from the alcohol when you are on this diet, meaning that you might get drunk from only two or three glasses or shots.
In that matter, if you want to get the benefits from ketosis and still enjoy in your favorite glass of wine, it is important to calculate the amount of carbs daily. Also, the selection of wine can make a difference since there are some types that are perfect for this meal plan.
Best Keto-Friendly Wines
Since the goal is to limit the intake of carbs to only up to 20 grams per day, you could easily get over that by only having a couple of glasses of some alcohol drinks. For instance, one serving of Madeira has the same amount.
On the other side, there are many options that will allow you to enjoy while not having to worry about your diet. The best ones have under 5 grams of carbs per serving. The winner in this category is Processo, with only 2g. This is a light sparkling wine perfect for the start of the evening. It is refreshing, and you don’t need to worry about getting drunk after having few glasses.
There are many other great options available as well, which means that there is something for any taste. When it comes to white wines, we have to mention Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay, both having only around 3g per glass. Even if you choose a stronger option, like the Pinot Blanc or Chenin, you can still have 3 or 4 glasses without breaking the ketosis.
If you prefer red wines, the selection is also great, with sorts like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Chianti. These wines have under 4 g of carbs per glass. On the other hand, sorts like Port and Sherry will give you less flexibility since you will be able to have only one glass, but only if you haven’t got any carbs from meals during the day.
What About Other Drinks?
The situation can be tricky with other types of alcohol. The beer is known for having a higher amount of carbs, with over 10 g per can. However, if that is your favorite drink, there is still a way to enjoy it while losing your weight, and that is by choosing some of the light options. Most of them have under 5g of carbs per can, while there are some even better solutions, such as Michelob Ultra, with 2.6g, or Bud Select, with only 1.8g.
Stronger spirits like whiskey, vodka, and tequila don’t contain any carbs, which means that they won’t interfere with this meal plan. You can enjoy them as long as you are not mixing them in cocktails or with any juices and other sugary products.
Still, there is an important downside to be aware of, which is related to the effects of alcohol on the main body processes. First of all, it will cause a fast release of energy because the liver will prioritize the processing of alcohol. In case that you got more shots, that will slow down the degradation of excess fats, and make the keto diet slower and less efficient.
Final Thoughts
Following a strict meal plan can be difficult, and it requires some rules, limits, and determination. As you can see, a lot of alcoholic beverages can interfere with the process, and the best way to achieve the right results to avoid heavy drinking.
The best part is that you can still spend an evening with your friends or family, and even have a few glasses. However, it is recommended to choose some of the wines we mentioned because of their great properties and low carbs. The key is to follow the count all the time, and never get over 20 grams of carbs during the day. You can easily combine a glass or two into that limit.
