‘Tis the time to be merry, to celebrate and to enjoy the company of those you love. But if you are following a low-carb lifestyle, will alcohol be off limits? Can you still have a little now and then? That’s the burning question. I’ll give you some information, and the rest is up to you because I’m not your mother so you are able to make your own choices, without judgement.
When it comes to alcohol there are many things to consider, including:
- The present state of your health
- The state of your liver
- Whether you are able to stop at one
- Whether you hydrate between drinks
- What you do afterwards to do ‘damage’ control
- What you eat (both generally and the next day, plus on the night)
- How often you indulge
First the bad news
Some people are able to have quite a lot more than others, but before we even start here, you need to know this – and I know you don’t want to hear it – but alcohol is a toxin. There – I have said it. It is what it is. However, many toxins/poisons are dose-dependent so this may mean you can have some occasionally without any harm.
As a source of empty calories, without any nutrition it can also:
- Affect the quality of your sleep (sleep is very important on the healthy LCHF list)
- Interfere with weight loss – it puts the brakes on any loss for 48-72 hours
- Cause weight gain
- Interfere with digestion
- Cause fatty liver
- Can harm you even in relatively small amounts
- Raise your insulin and glucose levels
- Raise blood pressure in some, lowers it in others
- Raise cholesterol (if you are worried about that which is not necessary)
- If you are counting your carbs, you might find this will sabotage you
- Beer is estrogenic, and may cause you to develop man-boobs or moobs
- There is a definite link to cancer – just saying
What’s nicer than a glass of wine sipped with friends over a delicious meal? This is the safest way to have it by the way – not standing around a bar quaffing one unit after another. The good thing here is for some it reduces stress levels and helps them to relax – in itself important in today’s fast-paced society.
What can you do?
- Have your alcohol with your meal, and sip it slowly
- Try to stop at one, and drink a big glass of water for every glass of wine
- Don’t add sugary drinks as mixers, use sparkling water instead and a squeeze of lemon
- Don’t eat too many of the nuts and other stuff put out for people who are drinking – by the time the wholesome meal arrives, you are full! And you’ve eaten rubbish to fill yourself up
- If you are responsible for the nibbles, put out real food like cheese, dips, vegetable crudités, berries and baby meatballs. This way if you do end up starving while waiting for dinner, you’ll have something more healthy
- Get someone to drive you home!
See after this : “Here’s my guide on HOW to drink Alcohol”
Disclaimer
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Originally published on https://www.facebook.com/SallyAnnCreedSA/ on 1 February 2021.
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