Keto Means
Photo: Brett Jordan
Keto-Friendly Drinks Many low-carb alcohol options are available if you follow a keto diet. For instance, pure forms of alcohol like whiskey, gin, tequila, rum and vodka are all completely free of carbs. These beverages can be drunk straight or combined with low-carb mixers for more flavor.
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Read More »Following a keto diet doesn’t have to mean giving up alcohol. Discover keto-friendly drinks that are low in carbs, like hard liquor and light beer. Also, discover beverages to avoid. The ketogenic (keto) diet is a low carb, high fat diet that many adopt to lose weight and improve their health. You typically have to plan your meals carefully so that you stick to your daily carb allotment and keep your body in ketosis. This may mean giving up sweets, snacks, and other high carb indulgences like soft drinks and alcohol. However, there are plenty of low carb alcoholic beverages that you can enjoy in moderation — even on a keto diet. This article suggests the best and worst alcoholic drinks to choose while on the keto diet. Share on Pinterest Marija Kovac/Getty Images Low carb mixers Keto-friendly mixers are just as important as the alcohol itself. Watch for common mixers like regular soda, juice, sweeteners, and energy drinks. They can quickly turn a carb-free drink into a high calorie carb bomb. Instead, opt for low carb mixers like diet soda, seltzer, diet tonic water, and powdered flavor packets. These mixers can keep your carb intake low while boosting your beverage’s taste. Here’s the carb content of a few keto-friendly mixers ( 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ): Type of mixer Serving size Carb content (in grams) diet cola 12 oz (360 mL) 1.04 g diet ginger ale 12 oz (360 mL) 0 g plain carbonated water, like seltzer 12 oz (360 mL) 0 g sweetened carbonated water, like diet tonic water 12 oz (360 mL) 0 g powdered drink mixes, like Crystal Light or Wyler’s Light 1 packet (2 g) 1.75 g Summary Low carb mixers like diet soda, carbonated water, and powdered flavor packets can help keep the carb content of your drink to a minimum. High carb drinks to avoid Many alcoholic beverages are loaded with carbs, with some varieties packing over 30 g in a single serving. For example, cocktails and mixed drinks usually rely on high carb, sugary ingredients like soda, juice, sweeteners, or syrups. Meanwhile, regular beer is produced from starch and can contain upward of 12 g of carbs in just 1 can. Here’s a comparison of the carb content of several popular alcoholic beverages. Avoid them if you’re on a keto diet (8, 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ): Type of drink Serving size (in ounces and milliliters) Carb content (in grams) whiskey sour 3 oz (90 mL) 14.49 g margarita 4 oz (120 mL) 19.32 g piña colada 4.3 oz (130 mL) 25.35 g red sangria 7.6 oz (228 mL) 18.80 g regular beer 12 oz (355 mL) 12.80 g Also, keep in mind that the drinks you might get at a bar or restaurant may be much larger than the recommended serving sizes above. Summary Cocktails, mixed drinks, and regular beer are often high in carbs, providing over 10 g per serving. These are best avoided if you’re on a keto diet. Why moderation is key Although plenty of low carb, keto-friendly alcoholic beverages are available, that doesn’t mean they should become a regular part of your routine. Even low carb varieties of alcohol are still rich in “empty” calories. They supply many calories with little to no essential nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins, or minerals. Not only can overindulging in alcohol increase your risk of nutritional deficiencies over time, but it may also contribute to gradual weight gain. In fact, in one 8-year study involving 49,324 women, consuming at least two drinks per day was associated with an increased risk of significant weight gain, compared to light or moderate drinking ( 24 ). Alcohol can also suppress fat burning and increase body fat by causing your body to store extra calories as fat tissue (25). Excessive drinking may also contribute to other serious health conditions, including liver problems, cancer, and heart disease ( 26 , 27, 28, 29 ). For this reason, it’s best to keep alcohol intake moderate — defined as one drink per day for women and two per day for men ( 30 ). Summary Even low carb varieties of alcohol can contribute to weight gain, nutritional deficiencies, and serious health conditions. This is why it’s important to moderate your intake.
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