Light Beer And Keto: What's The Verdict?

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that has gained popularity in recent years. While it can offer many health benefits, those who follow it may wonder how restrictive it is when it comes to alcohol. The short answer is that it is possible to drink alcohol and stay in ketosis, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, drinking alcohol will slow down the rate of ketosis. This is because the liver treats alcohol as a toxin and works to get rid of it as quickly as possible, prioritising it over the conversion of fatty acids to ketones. Additionally, alcohol can affect decision-making, potentially leading to diet breaks. It is also important to note that hangovers tend to be worse when drinking on a keto diet, and that alcohol tolerance is significantly lowered. When it comes to beer, light beers such as Corona Premier, Miller Lite, and Beck's Premier Light are better options as they are very low in carbs. However, it is important to consume these in moderation and monitor carb intake to stay within the keto diet limits.

Light beer brands

Light beers are a better-for-you substitution that you can feel good about, as they're brewed to cut both calories and carbohydrates found in other full-bodied ales. The best low-carb beers are still packed with unique flavours despite touting a lighter, compact nutritional label for those turning to regimented dietary plans.

• Heineken Silver Lager: This diet-friendly beer contains the lightest mouthfeel and flavour profile on this list; reviewers noted virtually no bitterness.
• Lagunitas DayTime IPA: A fan-favorite for anyone who is familiar with popular IPAs, Lagunitas' take slashes all the calorie and carb counts without sacrificing much of the flavour.
• Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA: If you're looking for a hop-forward flavour that isn't overloaded with caloric weight, Dogfish's IPA is right for you. You can sneak in more than one can, given that total carbohydrates sit well under 4g.
• Coors Light: If you are looking for low-carb beers that are refreshing and great for a hot summer day, this is your guy. It's easy to find, has just 5 grams of carbs per serving, and is also low calorie (102 calories per bottle).
• Budweiser Select 55: This uber light lager clocks in with the least amount of carbohydrates on this list. The crisp taste is particularly good for the summertime.
• Corona Premier: Yes, it's Corona; and we’re not talking about the pandemic. Corona Premier is perfect for the keto diet with its low carb and sugar counts. These beers are refreshing and easy to drink, and low enough in carbs to have a few!
• Michelob Ultra: Michelob ultra comes in with just 2.6 grams of carbohydrates and 95 calories a bottle. You can also find Michelob Ultra Pure Gold for just 2.5 grams of carbs per serving.
• Miller Lite: Miller Lite’s are great low-carb beers for anyone looking to manage overall calories along with carbs. Per 12-ounce serving, there are just 3.2 grams of carbs and a 4.2% ABV. Miller Lite has a bold flavour that puts it above most of the competition. It’s keto-friendly and the perfect 12-ounce serving.

Keto-friendly drinks

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that offers many health benefits, including weight loss. When following a keto diet, it is important to keep your daily carb intake to a minimum. As such, drinks with high sugar content, such as juice and cocktails, are not keto-friendly.

So, what can you drink? Here are some keto-friendly options:

Water

Carbonated or still, water is always a good choice. It's calorie and carb-free, so you can drink as much of it as you like without worrying about breaking your diet.

Tea and Coffee

Both tea and coffee are keto-friendly and can be consumed hot or iced. Tea contains less than 1 gram of carbohydrates per cup, and coffee is carb-free. However, be mindful of what you add to your drinks. Avoid milk and sugar, and opt for keto-friendly additions such as heavy cream, zero-calorie sweeteners, or sugar-free flavouring syrups.

Sparkling Water

Sparkling water is another excellent choice, as it is usually unsweetened and low in carbs.

Diet Sodas

While diet sodas are technically keto-friendly, they may not be the best choice due to their artificial sweeteners. These can damage healthy gut bacteria and strengthen sugar cravings. Instead, opt for sodas sweetened with natural zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia or erythritol.

Alcoholic Drinks

If you want to consume alcohol on a keto diet, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, alcohol can affect your judgment and willpower, making it easier to break your diet. Secondly, alcohol can pause fat burning as the body prioritises breaking down alcohol over burning body fat. This can slow down weight loss.

That being said, some keto-friendly alcoholic drinks include:

• Champagne and sparkling wine (4.68g of carbs per glass)
• Pale lager (5.81g of carbs per can)
• Red and white wine (4.7g of carbs per glass)
• Spirits such as gin, whiskey, rum, and vodka (0g of carbs)
• Low-carb beers, such as Budweiser Select 55, Michelob Ultra, and Miller 64 (2-3g of carbs per bottle)

Remember to always check the labels and choose low-calorie mixers to keep your drinks keto-friendly.

Alcohol and ketosis

The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that offers the potential benefit of losing weight while maintaining muscle. When a person consumes fewer food sources containing carbs, the liver breaks down fat reserves in the body into chemicals called ketones. When the body uses these ketones for energy, the body goes into a state of ketosis, resulting in weight loss.

Most keto diet plans recommend that people consume 20–50 grams (g) of carbs per day. Meals and drinks must fit within this daily allowance. There is no one version of the keto diet. Some may recommend avoiding alcohol altogether due to its carb content.

Drinking alcohol during a keto diet can be tricky because the wrong choice can knock you out of ketosis and make you lose progress. However, there are some specific types of alcohol that you can drink while maintaining ketosis.

Alcoholic Drinks to Consume on a Keto Diet

• Pure spirits like gin, whisky, vodka, and tequila are suitable drink choices for people following a keto diet. These drinks are low-calorie and contain zero added sugar and zero carbs. You can drink them plain or mix them with low-carb mixers like soda water, diet soda, or sugar-free tonic water.
• Dry wine varieties, including red, white, and sparkling wine, are also keto-friendly options because they contain fewer carbs and sugar than dessert wines. For example, 150ml of red wine contains only 3.92g of sugar, and a similar quantity of white wine contains 3.90g.
• Light Beer: Beer on a keto diet is controversial since it's usually made from grains. However, there are some light beers, such as Corona Premier, Miller Lite, Busch Light, and Beck's Premier Light, which are very low in carbs.
• Cocktails with Low-Carb Mixers: Choose your mixers wisely when having cocktails. Go for low-carb mixtures like diet soda or plain soda water; sugar-free tonic water and diet cola are suitable options to add to your cocktail.

Things to Consider When Drinking Alcohol on a Keto Diet

• Limit consumption: Overconsumption can be detrimental not only to your diet goals but also to your health. It's best to have no more than a single drink or a maximum of two.
• Avoid sugary mixtures: Watch out for sugary mixtures in your drink. Go for either plain alcohol or add only low-sugar and low-carb mixers like plain soda or diet cola.
• Monitor carb intake: Balance is key when it comes to maintaining your diet. A keto diet typically allows less than 50g of carbs a day. If you have alcohol, reduce other carb intakes for the day or only pick alcohols with zero carbs.

Hangovers on keto

When on a keto diet, the body is already in a state of ketosis, where it burns fat stores for energy. However, when alcohol is introduced, the liver prioritises metabolising ethanol, which it identifies as a toxin. This means your body temporarily shifts from burning fat to burning off the alcohol, putting your weight loss progress on hold.

Additionally, a keto diet can result in reduced water and electrolyte retention, making it easier to become dehydrated. The dehydrating effects of alcohol, combined with the reduced water retention associated with keto, can intensify the severity of a hangover.

• Drink in moderation.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during, and after drinking.
• Consume electrolytes to prevent dehydration and maintain mineral balance.
• Eat a keto-friendly meal before drinking to slow down alcohol absorption.
• Avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
• Be aware that keto can lower your alcohol tolerance, so adjust your drinking habits accordingly.
• Avoid caffeine and cigarettes, as they can further dehydrate you.

While these strategies may help, the only sure-fire way to avoid a hangover is to abstain from drinking.

Alcohol-free alternatives

If you are looking for a non-alcoholic beer to drink on a keto diet, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet, so you want to look for beers with a low carbohydrate content. The average non-alcoholic beer has around 4.75g of carbs per 100ml, but there are some with significantly less. For example, Partake Pale has 0g of carbs per 100ml, while Drop Bear Yuzu Pale Ale has just 0.4g. Other low-carb options include Drop Bear Tropical IPA, Big Drop Fieldhopper, and Nirvana Hoppy Pale Ale.

In addition to non-alcoholic beers, there are also some low-carb beer alternatives that you can try. One option is to make your own shandy by mixing a low-carb beer with a diet soft drink or flavoured sparkling water. This will give you the flavour of beer with fewer calories, carbs, and alcohol. Another option is to drink hard liquor with carbonated water. Bourbon, scotch, and whiskey are good choices, as they have a smoky and bitter taste that can be similar to beer. Just be sure to choose a low-calorie mixer to keep the carb count low.

If you're looking for a completely alcohol-free option, you might want to try diet root beer or diet ginger beer, which can have subtle beer flavours and carbonation without the alcohol or carbs. You can also get creative and mix your favourite zero-calorie carbonated beverage with different bitters and extracts to create a low-carb beer alternative. Hop-based bitters or hop liquid extract can be a good choice for adding beer-like flavours.

Finally, if you're looking for something relaxing to drink, you might want to try kava root tea. This tea-like beverage has sedative effects and can help you feel calm and relaxed without affecting your mental clarity. Kava is also low in calories and carbs, so it won't impact your keto diet.

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