Alcohol

[Ben G]

If you all could please refresh me on the rule of alcohol I would appreciate it. It has been a while since I ahve read the Atkins book and also I have NO idea where mine is. Which as a sidepoint, what is the "right" book to get if I replace it? When I say alcohol I dont mean beer, I'm talking stuff like Amaretto, rum, vodka, etc. I looked a little bit into it and vodka for example doesn't have any carbs/fiber, however alcohol does have twice the calories. So is it even POSSIBLE that it may be allowable on atkins and/or lowcarb as long as its in moderation and not every night and stuff or what?

[BonnieRose16]

Re: Alcohol

If I remember correctly (and anyone else please feel free to correct me if needed) the problem with alcohol is that our bodies burn alcohol easily, therefore they burn it before fat protein and carbohydrates. It won't stall your weight loss in the sense that Carbs will, but it will be burned before fat. I think as long as you are in the correct rung of the ladder for alcohol you are okay, as long as you remember to count the carbs in the mixer you use and the liquor. It's just recommended to keep it to a minimum. If I remember correctly 2-3oz of wine is allowed on one of the rungs and I think is 5 carbs for red.

[Lyssie]

Re: Alcohol

Alcohol is burned first... before anything else. It's like, level 7 up the ladder or something like that. The right book to buy is the 2002 DANDR.

[Greeneggs&ham]

Re: Alcohol

Guess this WOE was easier back in HS when you didn't have to worry about the alcohol issue, huh?

You'll definitely want to steer clear of alcohol in the early stages. Later on as you close in on your goal, you'll have an opportunity to experiment with some low carb alcohol options that work for your metabolism. There are several liquors that are low in carbs, but most people say it doesn't help since most of the ingredients you use to mix with them are high carb. My guess is that most serious low carb followers limit themselves to wine, and white wines have less carbs than reds...

Best of luck in your decision making!

[Lyssie]

Re: Alcohol

Actually, you can mix vodka with seltzer/soda water later on, or rum with diet coke.

[Ben G]

Re: Alcohol

lol Greeneggs, I dont really drink much now that I'm 21 anyway, and I didn't drink in HS. But every once in a while I want something. Like a cherry bomb (cherry vodka with either redbull or coke) mmm yum. And I was thinking that maybe an occassionaly cherry bomb with diet coke could maybe be acceptable? My fave alcohol is either Blackberry brandy or Amaretto. Lol I'm making myself sound like an alcoholic here, but really I dont drink much

[michellekw23]

Re: Alcohol

I think both of your favorites are higher in carbs than other alcohols...So if you're planning to drink, I'd look toward straight alcohol and club soda or a diet soda.

Just a word to the wise--Alcohol affects different people different ways. I posted here about 2 months ago looking for advice about alcohol and got responses on both sides of the coin. For me, the alcohol (even the 0 carb drinks like vodka soda) made me stall. Other people can drink a couple nights a week and still lose weight (like my husband!)

I looked up flavored vodkas recently, and they do have some carbs, but they're pretty low. About the same as wine, actually. So, if you're dying for a cherry bomb, I'd go for the diet coke, and see how it affects you. I can tell you, though, it was pretty disappointing for me to go two whole weeks on a stall because of the drinking.

Don't know if this helps or not!
Either way, Good LUCK!
Michelle

[Lisa]

Re: Alcohol

FYI....wines and other spirits low in carbs are OWL rung 5 (trust me, I know this one because it's one that I'm SOOOO looking forward to...okay, well, maybe just a little bit).

[BonnieRose16]

Re: Alcohol

When a client bought me a drink, I had Gin & Tonic (I normally have Tanqueray and Sprite), but that'll be my only drink until OWL Rung 5... I don't know if that stalled me or not, but I know that I'm in induction and I can't have it