Drinking over the holidays? How to enjoy alcohol the healthy way...

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas holiday, and are looking forward to the last week of the Year, and a fun-filled New Years Eve!

The start of each new year is a time to reflect on the year just past, and make plans for the future. It holds a special magic, with a promise of new opportunities and the possibility to change our lives and health for the better.

Many of you will be ringing in the New Year with family and friends; possibly partying and dancing the night away. Heaven knows, we all deserve it, with last New Year’s Eve dampened by the pandemic, cancelling most celebrations.

So with this in mind, I thought I’d share with you my tips on enjoying alcoholic spirits in the most healthy way possible.

You can welcome in the New Year by following these tips this NYE, and throughout the year!

Enjoy…. 

THE BEST BOOZE SELECTIONS

The good news is that you don’t have to give up alcohol when socializing at celebrations to be healthy, although moderation is important. Remember that alcohol definitely can (and will) lead to weight gain, among other potentially harmful side effects, so make sure to drink alongside food, have water or club soda in between drinks and choose the right kind of booze.

Which Booze to AVOID:

Certain types of alcohol will pack on the pounds more than others, so here is the list of booze and drinks to definitely avoid or minimize:

Beer:  is much higher in carbohydrates and calories than other choices, and will not only make you feel bloated but will also pack on those holiday pounds. If you’re just having one, you’re probably okay, but drinking a lot of beer for multiple days will likely leave you feeling not-so-healthy.

Sugary cocktails:  Most mixers that come with cocktails are best avoided, as they are often packed with sugar and other harmful chemicals, coloring agents, etc. It is better to stick with cocktails that contain only a few ingredients that are free of added sugars. Not to mention, this will improve any potential hangover you might have the next day.  Some common examples of these types of cocktails include margaritas, pina coladas, mudslides and martinis. Specific mixers to avoid include sodas, syrups, diet sodas, tonic water and energy drinks (just to name a few).

Wine coolers:  This is an easy one to explain, as they are simply packed with sugar. This category also includes hard lemonade (like Mikes), Smirnoff Ice, etc.

Liqueurs:  Dessert & Flavored liquor (liqueurs) also have a very high sugar content. Stick to plant-based, sugar-free or low-sugar, gluten-free liquor options.

Ciders with added sugar:  While certain hard ciders are better than others (ones that are fermented, for example), many brands are quite high in sugar. Dry ciders are typically lower, and brands that are particularly high in added sugars include Angry Orchards, Wyders and Woodchuck. We’ll get into some better options below.

Which Booze to CHOOSE:

Wine:  While there is some disagreement in the health world about how much you can actually benefit from wine (some studies show that the antioxidant, resveratrol, found in red wine can prevent damage to blood vessels), it is one of your better options. White wine does not offer the same health benefits, but those who are sensitive to the tannins in red wine might do better with white.  The key to drinking wine is to remember that one serving equals 4-5 oz, so drinking the whole bottle isn’t really the idea.

Champagne:  is simply wine that has been fermented a second time, therefore making it more carbonated. In fact, 4 oz. of champagne has only 1 gram of carbohydrate and zero grams of sugar, so it isn’t a bad option, either.

Potato Vodka:  Vodka is a distilled spirit that is made by fermenting either grains, potatoes or sugars and fruits. Potato vodka is popular in the Paleo diet community, and great brands include Voyd and Blair, Tito’s, Chopin, Blue Ice, Cold River and Monopolowa (among others).

Regular Vodka, Rum, Gin or Whiskey:  These spirits come in second to potato vodka, but are obviously more commonly found when you’re out. They are totally gluten free, are relatively low in carbohydrates and are sugar free, as well.

Mezcal or Tequila:  are close cousins, as both are derived from the agave plant. They are gluten free, sugar free and very low carbohydrate, and one of the best booze options out there.

Low Sugar Hard Ciders:  As discussed above, a low sugar hard cider can be a great option. Cider is a fermented alcoholic beverage that comes from fruit (usually from apples or pears), and some great, lower sugar brands include Colorado, ACE, Strongbow and Crispin Ciders. Remember, the drier, the better.

THE MOST IMPORTANT!!!!!

Which MIXERS to CHOOSE?

  • Club soda or Sparkling water

  • Fresh lemon and lime juice

  • Muddled herbs such as basil, ginger and mint

  • Fresh berries and veggies

  • Coconut milk

  • Coconut water

  • Coffee

  • Diet soda (prefer Zevia or Trivia)

  • Honey (in moderation)

Which MIXERS to AVOID?

  • Sodas are packed full of chemicals and sugars (ever wonder why they can eat paint off of a vehicle?)

  • Fruit juices such as orange, pineapple, cranberry, apple (contain high amounts of sugar) unless in very small amounts

  • Mixes such as Pina colada, daiquiri, cosmopolitan, mules and martini mixes. These are packed full of sugars.

  • Ginger Beer and Root Beers are loaded with sugar.

Pour the champagne and let its mousse rise, like thousands of sparkling smiling eyes. 
~ Jared M. Brown

Remember, the start of each new year is a time to reflect on the year just past, and make plans for the future. It holds a special magic, with a promise of new opportunities and the possibility to change our lives and health for the better.

Please know that I appreciate you being part of our wellness family, and accepting your true natural in-born health and wellness. Have a safe and happy New Year’s celebration!

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Dr Derek Ferguson