Here is a question I often receive from a person during the initial consultation: “Does your program allow for any drinking of alcohol?” My answer to this questions is pretty much always the same: The less alcohol the better. Alcohol contains calories/carbs and slows down the metabolism.
A frequent follow-up question: “If I am going to drink, what is the best type of drink to have that will have the least impact on my weight loss?”
Here is the list of “least damaging” alcohol-containing drinks:
- Champagne: This has less sugar/calories than wine. Also, champagne tends to be delivered in a relatively small glass, limiting the amount consumed.
- Red wine: High in antioxidants, red wine is a better “weight control” choice than white wine.
- Vodka: this has less sugar than gin, whiskey etc.
- Light beer: The less carbs/less calories the better.
It is also important to be careful of what you are mixing with the alcohol. A vodka and orange juice is gonna be more damaging than a vodka and diet tonic water.
One more thing: Getting a bit tipsy loosens decision-making when it comes to food/snack choices. If you decide to have a drink or two, try hard not to let this turn into a carb containing food fest as well.
In summary: If you want to lose the most weight as quickly as possible, keep away from alcohol. However, not all alcohols are created equally as to the impact on weight control.