What Alcohol Can You Drink With A Keto Lifestyle?

One of the more famous (and strict) dietary trends that have gained traction in recent years is the keto lifestyle. This diet limits the amount of carbohydrates you consume, mostly replacing them with fats. Your carbohydrate intake is limited to 50 grams daily to keep the body in ketosis, a state of burning fat instead of carbs for fuel. A keto lifestyle is said to help with everything from losing weight to controlling your blood sugar, but as with any diet, it comes with sacrifices. 

Not only are most desserts off the table with keto, but you'll also have to limit your alcohol consumption. Many alcoholic beverages, like wine and mixed drinks, contain sugar. Consuming too much sugar can kick your body out of ketosis, negating the positive effects of the diet. You might think that just one drink is fine, as most beers, wines, and more don't exceed 50 grams of carbs per cup. However, consider the sugar you'll also be getting in your food. Even keto-approved items like veggies contain small amounts of sugar that can cut down on your wiggle room, so that you have no space left for a drink. 

Luckily, there are some low-carb options out there that you can enjoy in moderation, especially in the spirits category. Generally speaking, hard alcoholic spirits like whiskey, vodka, tequila, rum, and gin are low- or no-carb options.

Although you are in the clear with most hard alcohol, flavored spirits might be another story. While maple or peanut butter bourbons almost definitely have added sugars, some flavor-infused spirits can still ring in at zero carbs. Checking all your labels is a must. If you don't enjoy drinking your liquor neat, try a low-carb mixer like seltzer and stay away from sweet fruit juices and sodas.

Beer and wine drinkers will be happy to hear that their favorites are not off-limits. The drier the wine, the less sugar it contains. Dry reds generally contain zero to 2 grams of carbs, says Wine.com, while white wines can have up to 4 grams. That's more sugar than a vodka on the rocks, but these smaller amounts could still squeeze into your daily diet. The wine industry has also produced some low-carb options to meet dietary demands, so do research to see if you're game to try any of these products.

Meanwhile, an average 12-ounce bottle of beer has 12.80 grams of carbohydrates, says Healthline. If you're looking to enjoy a cold one with the game, opt for light beer. This category usually ranges between 3 to 6 grams of carbs per serving, according to Health. And don't be fooled by gluten-free beer, as it can contain as many carbs as regular beer. Instead, look for low-alcohol beer, which is generally more friendly to the keto lifestyle.