Please help me with alcohol

[adam_19uk]

Hi.

I usually drink about 10-15 bottles of WKD or Smirnoff when I go out drinking with my mates, I have found out that im taking in so many carbs drinking alcopops that its just unbeleivable.

Im not to keen on lager and I dont have much of a clue about carbs because ive only been looking into the benifits of low-carb for a couple of days.

Now, Im going to sound like a total newbie saying this but... I looked at a can of pepsi max and it says there is no carbs in it... im also presuming straight vodka wont have carbs in it ?

I am right to think that I could drink as much vodka and coke as I wanted without having to worry about carbs?

Please take a moment to give me an idea if you can. I have tried looking for an answer on google but I cant find anything useful.

[jsj0305]

Well, I'd have to say that it all really depends on wether or not you are going to do Atkins. As I'm sure you know, it is not a diet, but a way of life. If you are going to start the Atkins Nutritional Approach, then absolutely not. Alcohol is not allowed, in any form, during induction. You may be pleased to know that it may be added back in a later phase, along with rye, scotch, and gin. However, if you are just trying to be a little more carb concious, know that I believe have no carbs so long as the mixers are sugarless. This means no juice, tonic water, or non-diet soda. Diet soda and seltzer are allowed. If you do decide to do Atkins, get the book first "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution" aka DANDR. I believe it is the 2002 addition..not 100% sure though. It has a lot of information that you shoud know before starting to do the diet. Also if you have any questions as to what else is low carb or no carb, check out http://www.fitday.com the account is free and extremely helpful. This bulletin board is also VERY helpful should you decide to do it. I hope that I have helped. Good Luck and happy lowcarbing!

[tickletussler]

If I remember right, DANDR does specify that some alcohols with higher alcohol content eg spirits like vodka, tequila, over-proof rum have no carbs.
HOWEVER it does say alcohol, even though it does not have carbs, are processed differently by the body and still processed as "energy" which means you do have to limit alcohol consumption or at least watch it doesn't exceed your usual daily calorie intake - I say this because alcohol is not stored in the body like carbs is, but it is still the body's preference to burning for energy, and will burn alcohols and carbs BEFORE it burns body fat

[adam_19uk]

Thx. Its all very complicated... Im not going to go with atkins because I really dont think its worth giving up alcohol and certain foods. However I think I am going to eat much healthier and I will read the book so I know whats what.

[Richt]

Adam,

Personally I think you will be hard pressed to find a diet that allows you to drink alchohol.

But good luck anyway.

Rich

[ttdriver]

I don't know what your definition of 'eating healthier' really is, but I can't imagine anything healthier than Atkins.

Betty

[ex-barbie-doll]

Drinking alcohol while doing Atkins is better than drinking alcohol and NOT doing Atkins :nod

[Peytonn]

quit drinking so much alcohol! :yikes

[janiac]

This is just my NSHO. If the focus is on the alcohol, the problem isn't whether or not to follow Atkins.

[ztachick]

jsj0305-- no tonic water, :yikes i htnk i may have messed up this weekend then cna you explain it to me is htere carbs in say a gin and tonic?

[sadie147]

jsj0305-- no tonic water, :yikes i htnk i may have messed up this weekend then cna you explain it to me is htere carbs in say a gin and tonic?

There is 24g of carbs in 8ozs of regular tonic water..it has just as much sugar as soda/pop does. Here is the nutiritional info from www.canadadry.com:

calories: 90
Carbs: 24g
Sugars: 23g
Protein: 0

I'm not sure why..but that's a commone misconception about tonic. It is definately sweentened (though it tastes more bitter than sweet). You would have to find a diet tonic.

[tickletussler]

Thx. Its all very complicated... Im not going to go with atkins because I really dont think its worth giving up alcohol and certain foods. However I think I am going to eat much healthier and I will read the book so I know whats what.

How much alcohol do you want to drink????

Alcohol is included in the later rungs, and in the long run (once you're on Maintenance phase), you could have your glass or 2 of red wine because it is good for your heart at reasonable levels.

On the other hand, if you are going to drink that much, do you realise every time you have a such big drink, you lose around 10,000 brain cells and brain cells are the only cells in your body that doesn't reproduce?

[Elizellen]

Plus the fact that drinking alcohol will suspend any weightloss and allow your body to resume storing fat while it uses up the preferred fuel (alcohol)
So if you were thinking about Atkins for weightloss you would be counteracting all the good that you were doing when not drinking.

[not2late]

jsj0305-- no tonic water, :yikes i htnk i may have messed up this weekend then cna you explain it to me is htere carbs in say a gin and tonic?

There is 24g of carbs in 8ozs of regular tonic water..it has just as much sugar as soda/pop does. Here is the nutiritional info from www.canadadry.com:

calories: 90
Carbs: 24g
Sugars: 23g
Protein: 0

I'm not sure why..but that's a commone misconception about tonic. It is definately sweentened (though it tastes more bitter than sweet). You would have to find a diet tonic.

I think it's because it's called "tonic water". People get the impression that there's only quinine in it and nothing else.

There are sugar-free tonic waters, most brands are sweetened with aspartame, but I think Schweps or Canada Dry is sweetened with saccharin....

[lisa197530]

when I was younger(20s) and on Atkins I liked to go have "a few drinks" with the friends every weekend. Now being young and active the weight came off, I drank rye and diet coke and it didn't have any effect on the weight loss.Now I couldn't get away with it though!