Drinking alcoholic beverages may have an effect on weight loss during the Atkins diet. Recommendations about drinking alcohol as part of the diet differ depending on which stage of the diet you are in, as well as the type of alcoholic beverages. There are two issues at play when it comes to alcohol and the Atkins diet. The first issue is how the carbohydrates in your beverage of choice fit into the current stage of your diet. The second addresses how the body metabolizes alcohol.
Alcoholic Beverages and Carbohydrates
Most pure, hard liquors have only a trace of carbohydrates. Hard liquors include distilled alcohols like vodka, whiskey, gin, brandy and rum. Other alcoholic beverages like dry wines have around 1g of carbohydrates per 100ml, while Champagne and sweeter wines have anywhere from about 2 to 4g of carbohydrates per 100ml. Beer varies, but tends to be higher in carbohydrates unless you pick a beer that is specifically labeled as "low carb." Liqueurs and those drinks made with sugary mixers like margaritas and mai tais have the highest carbohydrate counts for alcoholic beverages. The best way to minimize carbohydrates in alcoholic beverages is to drink dry wines, low-carb beers, and hard liquors mixed with water, diet soda or seltzer, says WeightLossforAll.com.
How the Body Metabolizes Alcohol
One of the problems with drinking alcoholic beverages on low-carbohydrate diets is that your body metabolizes calories from alcohol before it metabolizes anything else, according to "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution." Because it burns alcohol for fuel instead of other sources, when you drink alcohol, your body will take a break from burning fat until all of the alcohol has been metabolized. Depending on how much alcohol you consume and how often you consume it, this can lead to slowed or stalled weight loss.
Alcohol During Induction
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed during induction, according to "The New Atkins for a New You." Because the purpose of the two-week induction phase is to kick-start your body's fat burning machine, alcohol can delay the onset of ketosis or kick you out of ketosis altogether. Ketosis is the name for the state you achieve in the course of the Atkins diet where your body burns fat as its primary source of fuel. Because the entire diet is dependent on getting into and staying in ketosis, especially in early phases, alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.
Alcohol During O.W.L.
After your two-week induction phase, you will enter a phase known as O.W.L., which stands for "ongoing weight loss." During this phase, Dr. Atkins recommends that you begin to add a few higher-carbohydrate foods into your diet in controlled amounts, a little bit at a time. During this phase, you can try to add in small amounts of alcohol, but only consume alcohol occasionally and carefully monitor its effects on your weight loss efforts. Some people find that any amount of alcohol stalls their progress while others find they can consume small quantities from time to time.
Alcohol During Maintenance
Once you have entered into maintenance, the goal is to maintain your weight loss. This means that occasional controlled amounts of alcohol are allowed since you are no longer actively trying to lose weight. When you drink alcohol during maintenance, avoid sugary mixers and stick with lower-carb choices like dry wines or low-carbohydrate beers.
References
- WeightLossforAll.com: Carbohydrates in Alcohol
- "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution;" Robert C. Atkins, M.D.; 2002
- "The New Atkins for a New You;" Dr. Eric C. Westman, Dr. Stephen D. Phinney and Dr. Jeff S. Volek; 2010
Member Comments