The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat lifestyle that focuses on moderate protein intake to help with weight loss, health improvement, and increased energy. While on the keto diet, it is important to stick to a low daily allotment of carbs to keep your body in a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for energy. So, can you drink wine on the keto diet? The short answer is yes, you can drink wine while on the keto diet, but not all wines are created equal. Beer and certain wines are off-limits due to their high carbohydrate content. Dry wines are your best bet, and any sparkling wines marked as brut, extra brut, or brut nature will have the lowest amount of carbs. Red wines are naturally a little higher in calories than whites due to tannins, but they usually don't have added sugar. Therefore, red wines such as Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon are considered keto-friendly.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Can you drink wine on keto? | Yes, but in moderation. |
Best types of wine for keto | Dry wines, red wines, light-bodied and dry red wines, low-alcohol wines, low-sugar wines, sparkling wines marked as "brut", "extra brut", or "brut nature". |
Worst types of wine for keto | Fortified wines, sweet wines, dessert wines, wines with added sugar, wine coolers, beer. |
Alcohol on keto | Alcohol pauses ketosis, so it's important to moderate your drinking. Men can have up to two glasses of wine per day, and women can have one glass per day. |
Lowest-carb wine | Sauvignon Blanc. |
What You'll Learn
Red wine is keto-friendly if it's dry and low in alcohol content
Red wine can be keto-friendly, but it depends on its dryness and alcohol content. While on a keto diet, it is important to limit your intake of carbohydrates, so wines with low or no carbs are best.
Red wines are perfect for a keto diet because they usually don't have added sugar. This means the total calories are lower, and they don't have nearly the same amount of carbohydrates. In addition, drier red wines that have been left to ferment for longer are considered keto-friendly because they have lower residual sugar, which is one of the complex carbohydrates you're actively trying to cut from your diet.
When it comes to choosing a keto-friendly wine, it is also important to consider the alcohol content. Your body prioritises alcohol during metabolism, so a red wine that is low in alcohol content will limit the time your body spends breaking down the substance. Therefore, keto wines should also be low alcohol (less than 13.5% ABV) to account for the way keto lowers your tolerance.
Some examples of keto-friendly red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Malbec.
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Red wine vinegar is keto-friendly
Red wine vinegar is made by further oxidizing red wine, which breaks down its carbohydrates. It is also minimally processed and free of harmful ingredients like non-keto sweeteners, highly refined oils, and food additives.
When following a keto diet, it is important to limit your net carb consumption to 20-30g per day to stay in ketosis. Red wine vinegar is carb-free, so it won't consume your net carb allowance for the day. However, it is also low in fats, so make sure to supplement it with foods that are high in healthy fats, such as virgin olive oil, grass-fed butter, and MCT oil.
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Red wine is keto-friendly when paired with turkey
When it comes to wine, not all options are created equal in the eyes of the keto diet. Some wines, like beer, are off-limits due to their high carbohydrate content. However, red wine is a perfect choice for keto dieters as it is naturally higher in calories than white wine due to tannins but usually doesn't have added sugar, resulting in lower total calories and carbohydrate content.
When selecting a keto-friendly red wine, look for options with low residual sugar and low alcohol content. Fully fermented red wines that have been converted into drier wines with low residual sugar are ideal. Additionally, choosing red wines with lower alcohol content will limit the time your body prioritizes breaking down the substance.
Turkey is an excellent protein source for keto diets and pairs well with red wine. When enjoyed in moderation, a glass of red wine with your turkey dinner can be a delightful indulgence that won't derail your keto progress.
To summarize, red wine can be a part of a keto-friendly lifestyle when paired with turkey. By selecting drier red wines with low residual sugar and moderate alcohol content, you can enjoy a delicious glass without compromising your dietary goals.
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Red wine can be enjoyed on keto in moderation
The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat lifestyle that focuses on moderate protein intake to help with weight loss, improved health, and increased energy. It is a popular diet, with around 5.5 million Americans (or 6%) adopting this method of eating.
The keto diet is not new, but for those new to it, it can be tricky to navigate what is and isn't allowed. The good news for wine lovers is that red wine can be enjoyed in moderation while on a keto diet.
Wine and Keto
Wine is a preferable alcoholic drink for those on a keto diet because it has lower carbs than beer or cocktails. Most wines have around 3-4 grams of carbs per serving. However, it is important to remember that drinking alcohol does impact ketone production and can slow down the process.
Choosing the Right Wine
Not all wines are created equal when it comes to keto. It is best to opt for dry wines, as they have the least residual sugar. The drier the wine, the lower the residual sugars and, therefore, the lower the carb count. Look for wines labelled as ""brut nature", with 0-3g of sugar per litre, or "extra brut", with up to 12g of sugar per litre.
Red wines are a good choice as they are less likely to have added sugar. Go for a light-bodied, dry red wine. Bolder reds tend to have a higher alcohol content and, therefore, more residual sugar and carbs.
It is recommended to keep alcohol consumption below 24 grams of alcohol per day, which equates to roughly two 5-ounce glasses of wine for men and one glass for women. It is important to note that keto may lower your alcohol tolerance, so be mindful of this when drinking.
Keto-Friendly Mixers
If you want to mix your wine, choose sugar-free tonic water, seltzer water, or diet soda without artificial sweeteners.
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Red wine is best when it's light-bodied and dry
Red wine is best enjoyed when it's light-bodied and dry. Light-bodied reds are generally low in alcohol, low in tannin, and have moderate-to-high acidity. They often express red fruit and floral aromas, like raspberries and cherries. Pinot Noir is a popular example of a light-bodied red wine, and it's a great choice for those on a keto diet.
When it comes to keto-friendly wines, it's important to choose options with low carbohydrate content. Dry wines, including many red and white varietals, tend to be low in carbs. For example, Cabernet Sauvignon has only 3.8 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
If you're looking for a light-bodied red wine that's also dry and keto-friendly, Pinot Noir is an excellent choice. It's a versatile wine produced in various countries, including the US, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. With its smooth finish and red fruit flavours, it's a delightful option for those following a keto diet.
When selecting a keto-friendly wine, it's best to avoid cheaper, mass-produced brands as they often add sugars to change the flavour and speed up fermentation. Traditional winemaking techniques avoid adding sugars or artificial sweeteners, resulting in a higher-quality product.
While enjoying a glass of wine on a keto diet is possible, it's important to remember that alcohol can pause ketosis. This is because your liver prioritises processing alcohol over creating ketones. Additionally, keto can lower your alcohol tolerance, so it's important to drink in moderation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, red wine is keto-friendly, but only in moderation. Red wines are naturally slightly higher in calories than whites due to the tannins, but they usually don't have added sugar.
Examples of keto-friendly red wines include Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sweeter wines and wines with added sugar should be avoided on a keto diet. Examples of wines that should be avoided include Moscato, Gewürztraminer, and Zinfandel.
It is recommended to consume no more than one glass of wine per day for women and no more than two glasses per day for men.