Surely you can’t drink any alcohol when you quit sugar! It’s chockers full of the white stuff, right?! We have some good news for you – you absolutely can still enjoy a glass of wine at dinner. Or even a beer on the weekend. Because quitting sugar doesn’t mean quitting the things you enjoy! The trick is to drink in moderation, and pick the right ones. Here’s what you need to know. 1. Can I drink alcohol when I quit sugar? ✔️ Beer: While this beverage does contain a lot of sugar, it’s in the form of maltose (not fructose) which our bodies can metabolise just fine. Read more about our stance on fructose. ✔️ Spirits: Dry spirits like gin, vodka and whiskey are very low in fructose. ✔️ Wine: Believe it or not but wine contains very minimal amounts of fructose. See question two below. ❌ Champagne or “sparkling”: Though similar in the fermentation process of red and white wine (as mentioned above), Champagne does tend to retain quite a lot of the fructose from the grapes.

Which is why we don’t think this is the best option. ❌ Dessert wine: A stack of sugar remains unfermented in these wines.  2. What about the fructose in wine? Believe it or not, but wine actually contains minimal fructose. The fructose in the grapes is what ferments to become alcohol, leaving the finished product low in sugar.best wine from turkey If the wine has been fermented to “dry” (red or white) it contains very low levels of residual sugar (less than 1g per litre).glass of wine bad for you Red wine is lower in fructose than white wine and is definitely the better option in our opinion.best wine east coast Read our interview with Rosemount Estate to find out even more. 3. Can you drink alcohol on the I Quit Sugar: 8-Week Program?

During our Program, we allow one glass of wine (preferably red) with dinner a few nights a week. Because quitting sugar doesn’t have to mean quitting the things you enjoy. While quitting sugar, your liver is under a little strain as you detox all the toxins (and addiction) out. Drinking any more than one glass of alcohol with a meal per day will only tax your liver more. You may also find once you cut out sugar, that your tolerance for alcohol is much lower and wish to avoid it while going through the 8-Week Program. Check out all the other things you are still allowed to do while on our Program. 4. Tips for sugar-free boozing. Alcohol-free is always going to be your safest bet. Soda or plain mineral water with a squeeze of lemon or lime is surprisingly satisfying. We love asking the bartender to jazz it up with a slice of cucumber or some fresh mint. Clear spirits like vodka and gin mixed with soda water and fresh lemon and lime are probably the lowest sugar alcoholic drinks you’re going to be able to get.

Gin, soda water and fresh cucumber is one of our favourites. STAY AWAY FROM SOFT DRINKS AND TONIC WATER… they are loaded with sugar! 5. A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION… A few more words of caution before you take a tipple. Alcohol still has a multitude of metabolism and health issues that come with excessive consumption, not to mention it’s an addictive substance. Although most alcohol is low in fructose, it’s still very high in empty calories. Only ever drink spirits with soda water. Mixers, including tonic water, are full of sugar – about 8–10 teaspoons in one tall glass. Remember, when it comes to alcoholic drinks, once you have too many it’s very hard to make sensible food choices. You’re far more likely to reach for that slice of cake after a few drinks than you would be sober. Just something to keep in mind. We originally published this post in February 2014. We updated it in July 2016. Join us on our next 8-Week Program, starting May 4!

What Happens to Your Waistline When You Drink a Glass of Red Wine Before Bed? Not all drinks and beverages are bad for you, of course some are filled with sugar or corn syrup, they will not help you reach your health goals. There are some drinks that won’t hurt your waistline, but can be beneficial instead. Red wine contains a chemical called Ellagic acid which can slow the growth of fat cells and stop formation of new ones, so your body burns more fat. This chemical also boosts metabolism of fatty acids in liver cells. New research shows that drinking one-half a bottle of wine in the evening can help you lose weight faster. Women who drank 1-2 glasses were more likely to lose weight than women who didn’t in the study. A glass or two of red wine has been shown to cut cravings, appetite, and help to make you feel more relaxed, which means less eating and an earlier bedtime, it can also lower your blood pressure. Here are some more wonderful benefits of red wine:

We can consider it a cancer treatment, the active antioxidant in red wine known as quercetin can kill cancer cells, it helps induce natural cell death in certain types of cancers, most often colon cancer. According to researchers and data obtained, it also helps lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Tannins in red wine that give it it’s red color, contain procyanidins, known for protecting against heart disease. Resveratrol also helps to remove chemicals responsible for causing blood clots, a primary cause of coronary disease. Daily consumption of red wine cuts blood clot-related stroke rates by 50 percent. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent a variety of different cancers. It’s also great for heart health and preventing Alzheimer’s, as it helps prevent cell damage.\ Disclaimer: All content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation.