Keto Means
Photo: Laura Tancredi
The best types of alcohol for people with diabetes are those with a low sugar or carb content. That includes light beers, red and white wines, distilled spirits, and low carb cocktails, as long as you avoid sugary juices or syrups.
Excess visceral fat can pose serious health risks, but when you embark on a healthy diet and exercise plan, this fat is often the first to...
Read More »
Realistically, being able to lose 50 lb in 2 months is unlikely. How much weight you lose and at what pace depends on your diet, level of physical...
Read More »If you have diabetes, drinking alcohol may be safe for you as long as you choose the right types of drinks and consider alcohol’s effects on your blood sugar levels. Diabetes causes lower-than-normal production or function of insulin — the hormone that helps control your blood sugar levels — so blood sugar management is important ( 1 ). In addition, alcohol consumption may excessively raise or lower your blood sugar levels, depending on the drink and whether you have eaten recently ( 2 ). Studies suggest that moderate intake of alcohol — especially red wine — is associated with health benefits in people with diabetes. But heavy drinking may interfere with some medications and increase the risk of diabetes-related complications ( 2 , 3 , 4, 5 , 6 ). The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans define moderate alcohol intake as up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men ( 7 ). Here’s what one standard drink looks like ( 7 ): 12 fluid ounces (360 mL) of regular beer (5% alcohol)
How to Speed Up Weight Loss Carb cycling. ... Less Calories 2 Days Per Week. ... Extended Fast. ... Eat Salad or Green Veggies Before Each Meal....
Read More »
Unlike other fruits such as grapes, apples or oranges which become soft and inedible after their expiration, bananas are superior because their...
Read More »7. Distilled spirits Distilled spirits or hard liquors contain few to no carbs. However, you should be aware of the potential for hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar levels, when consuming them. This may happen because your liver can’t maintain basal blood sugar levels while also metabolizing alcohol. This may lead to excessively low blood sugar — and even more so if you drink on an empty stomach ( 2 ). Here are some possible distilled spirit options. 7. Gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey These liquors contain 0 grams of carbs per 1.5-ounce (45-mL) serving ( 24 ). However, the carb content of your drink may vary depending on what you mix the liquor with. Avoid mixing liquor with sugary juices or sugar-containing soda. If you do drink these with alcohol, your blood sugar may spike and then dip to dangerously low levels. Summary When consumed on their own, hard liquors provide 0 grams of carbs but may lead to very low blood sugar levels. Avoid drinking them on an empty stomach or mixing them with sugary drinks. 8–10. Low carb cocktails Make sure to go for low sugar options if you feel like having a cocktail. Here are some of the best low carb cocktails. 8. Martini You make a martini by mixing gin or vodka with dry vermouth in a 2-to-1 ratio and then garnishing it with an olive or a twist of lemon peel. Since it doesn’t contain juices or other mixers, it contains 0.2 grams of total carbs in a 4-ounce (120-mL) drink. This makes it a good choice for people with diabetes — provided you drink it in moderation ( 25 ). 9. Vodka soda As its name implies, you make a vodka soda by combining vodka and club soda. As long as you use club soda or seltzer, your drink’s carb count will stay at 0 grams ( 26 ). However, the carb content may rise significantly if you mix vodka with tonic water — which has 32 grams of carbs per 12-ounce can — or a sugar-containing soda ( 27 ). If you’d rather have a flavored version, go for flavored sparkling water instead of flavored vodka, which may contain added syrups. 10. Bloody Mary You make a Bloody Mary by mixing vodka and tomato juice with different sauces and spices, depending on the recipe, and typically serve it with a celery stick. People often think of this as a “healthy” cocktail due to its vegetable content. It has a carb count of 7 grams from the tomato juice ( 28 ). Tomato juice in a Bloody Mary provides lycopene, a pigment in tomatoes that has antioxidant and anti-diabetes properties and may protect people with diabetes from heart disease ( 29 , 30 , 31 ). If you’re making a Bloody Mary, opt for a variety of tomato juice without added salt to lower its sodium content. A high sodium intake may lead to high blood pressure ( 32 ). Summary People with diabetes may also enjoy low sugar cocktails. Again, avoid those with added sugars in the form of fruit juice, syrup, or regular soda. Drinks to avoid While there are some diabetes-friendly cocktails, such as the ones mentioned above, traditional cocktails are generally very high in added sugars. Therefore, try to avoid them unless you’re making them yourself. For example, margaritas, piña coladas, and daiquiris may pack 35–44 grams of carbs per 7-ounce (225-mL) serving — and that is if you’re having just one serving ( 33 , 34 , 35 ). Dessert wines, such as vermouth, port, and sherry, are also high in carbs. As the name of these drinks implies, people typically serve them after a meal ( 36 ). The same goes for cream liqueurs such as Bailey’s Irish Cream and Kahlua. These provide around 13 grams of carbs, of which 12 grams are from sugar, for every 2 ounces (60 grams) of liqueur ( 37 ). Lastly, aside from taking into account your drink’s carb content, try to follow these practices when drinking: Eat beforehand to avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
In the Days After the Keto 5-Day Egg Fast It's no secret that most people gain back any weight they lose on a fast, and the same holds true for the...
Read More »
So is egg white protein better than whey? The answer is yes. Egg white protein is dairy-free, contains fewer calories than whey protein, and...
Read More »
People who follow a keto diet may experience mild constipation that lasts a few days to a few weeks. According to the National Institute of...
Read More »
11 Ways to Stop Cravings for Unhealthy Foods and Sugar Drink Water. Thirst is often confused with hunger or food cravings. ... Eat More Protein....
Read More »
Traditionally, no, chicken nuggets are not keto. Normally, they contain flour and or breadcrumbs in the breading, making the carb count way too...
Read More »
8 Keto-Friendly Flours: Recipes and How to Use Them Almond flour. Almond flour is probably the most widely used keto flour substitute. ... Coconut...
Read More »