Can I Drink Alcohol on a Ketogenic Diet?

On: By: Frank and Cat Vandy

One of the most common questions we get is “Is it okay to drink alcohol on a Keto diet?”

A recent study was done on 50 people following a Ketogenic diet over 12 weeks.  The dieters were allowed to drink dry red wine as they saw fit.  After 12 weeks, the subjects still demonstrated…

  • Significant weight loss
  • Reduced blood sugar levels
  • Reduced LDL cholesterol
  • Increase HDL cholesterol
  • Reduced blood pressure

A couple of points to consider…

Many alcohols can throw you out of Ketosis quickly.  If you are going to drink alcohol and want to stay in Ketosis, drink dry red wine, low carb beer, or spirits.

Avoid full carb beers and sugary mixed drinks.

We strongly recommend testing your Ketone levels after drinking alcohol so that you can determine what your tolerance levels are and how many glasses you can drink without falling out of Ketosis.

NOTE:  If you are going to drink alcohol while following a Keto Diet, we strongly recommend you supplement with exogenous Ketones before and after drinking alcohol to insure you stay in Ketosis.

To learn more about exogenous Ketones CLICK HERE.

Below is a list of acceptable Keto alcohols…

WINES –

Red Wines (5 oz. serving)

Cabernet Sauvignon (our favorite: full bodied, dry and tart!): 120 calories, 3.8 carbs

Pinot Noir: 121 calories, 3.4 carbs

Merlot: 120 calories, 3.7 carbs

White Wines (5 oz. serving)

Pinot Grigio: 122 calories, 3.2 carbs

Sauvignon Blanc: 122 calories, 2.7 carbs

Chardonnay: 118 calories, 3.7 carbs

Riesling: 118 calories, 5.5 carbs

Champagne (although low in alcohol content, so you’d need to drink more): 96 calories, 1.5 carbs


BEERS –

Light Beers (12 oz. serving)

Corona Premier 90 calories, 2.6 carbs

Bud Select 55: 55 calories, 1.9 carbs

MGD 64: 64 calories, 2.4 carbs

Rolling Rock Green Light: 92 calories, 2.4 carbs

Michelob Ultra: 95 calories, 2.6 carbs

Bud Select: 99 calories, 3.1 carbs

Miller Lite: 96 calories, 3.2 carbs

Natural Light: 95 calories, 3.2 carbs

Michelob Ultra Amber: 114 calories, 3.7 carbs

Coors Light: 102 calories, 5 carbs

Amstel Light: 95 calories, 5 carbs

Bud Light: 110 calories, 6.6 carbs


Spirits–

Clear liquors at about 40% alcohol are safe, and are considered keto friendly. Anything that tastes sweet is not.

  • Vodka

Tequila

Gin

Whiskey

Rum

Scotch

Brandy

Cognac