What about Alcohol? Can I drink and be Paleo?
I do enjoy drinking. And after all, who doesn’t? Nobody wants to be the buzz kill at a party (assuming you party.) But is it really Paleo? Is red wine 80% Paleo? Is tequila legal? Lets look into this.
“You should drink enough to enhance your sex life, but not enough to impact performance.” -ROBB WOLF
If drinking is defining you or your evening, then it probably is too much. Drinking should enhance your evening, not bring it down.
Lets start by saying that everyone is different and part of Paleo is knowing what works for you and LISTENING to your body. Some people handle alcohol better than others just like some people handle dairy better than others. But if you are going to drink, here are some guidelines:
1. Drink only moderately
2. Drink earlier in the evening
3. Avoid Mixers, drink it straight.
4. Go for red wine or clear liquids.
5. Eat a high protein meal after drinking.
There is some alcohols that are better than others. Below are some items that we recommend in this order.
1. Dry Red Wine
This has less sugar than white wine or other alcohols. Another bonus with red? Resveratrol - that super antioxidant, able to combat cancer and reduce signs of aging, among other feats.Go for richer, higher quality reds, and seek out organic if you can.
2.Wood Aged Spirits
While red wine has carbohydrates, clear alcohols that are not flavored are ZERO carbohydrates. Even better is Bourbon, Whiskey, and Tequila, are all ZERO carbohydrates and have antioxidant properties because they are aged in wood barrels. Just drink straight up.
3. Don’t like you alcohol straight?
Blend it with berries. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, lemon and lime. Don’t forget fruit has alot of sugar. You are destroying your zero carbohydrate drink with fruit. Add ice for a smoothie/slushy.
4. Other Clear Alcohols.
Clear Gin, Clear Rum, Vodka. While still low card (or zero) these do not offer any other good properties. Once again, straight is the best.
5. White Wine/Light Beer
Both have few carbohydrates and both offer minimal antioxidants.
6. Cider Beer
7. Regular Beer
8. Dark Beer
These viewpoints are expressed by both Robb Wolfe and Mark Sisson. I cannot claim to have half the knowledge of these guys. You can check out more at www.marksdailyapple. and www.robbwolfe.com.
