Alcohol Alternatives That Won’t Mess With Your Macros
Alcohol Alternatives That Won’t Mess With Your Macros
If macro nutrition had an arch nemesis, it would be alcohol. Alcohol doesn’t fit into any of the three macro categories. If alcohol isn’t carbohydrates, fat, or protein, what the heck is it? For lack of a better term, alcohol can be categorized as empty calories because the calories in alcohol have little to no zero nutrition value. To fit alcohol in your marcos, you have to convert the calories to carbs and/or fats, and who wants to do math when they are drinking?!
Unlike food, our bodies don’t store alcohol, which means when you drink, your body is forced to break down the alcohol in your system first. This interruption slows down your metabolic rate and reduces the amount of fat your body burns for energy (read more here). The excess fat in your system can result in weight gain. On top of this, alcohol inhibits the body from performing other important functions like breaking down nutrients and rebuilding muscles. In summary: drinking alcohol isn’t going to help you achieve your #bodygoals. In fact, drinking will hold you back.
However, there’s no denying that a drink can be a relaxing treat at the end of the day, especially in quarantine when the boundaries between work and life can get blurry. A glass of wine or a cocktail can be a nice signifier that the work day is over. So how can you treat yo’ self without drinking and throwing off your macro count? Thanks to the popular sober-curious trend, companies have started creating alcohol alternatives that are tasty, rewarding, and macro-friendly. Here are a few of our favorites:
Kin Europhics: This nonalcoholic beverage balances adaptogens, nootropics, and botanics to create a drink that relaxes the mind and body. A serving has 6 calories, 2 carbohydrates, and 0 sugar. It seems a bit kooky and mysterious, but Habyt member Kate Holland can confirm High Rhode is the real deal. She commented, “Listen, no matter how many times I read the label, I still can’t understand what exactly is in this bottle. I haven’t drank in years but a glass of this gave me that blissful one-glass of wine feeling with none of the unwanted side effects of alcohol.” Use it to make a mocktail and enjoy!
Sunwink: Sunwink specializes in alcohol-free tonics packed with natural adaptogens (aka herbs that help the body adapt to stress). The Hibiscus Mint Unwind Tonic is a great way to take the edge off at the end of a hard day. Some even claim the tonic helps them feel more hydrated and get better quality sleep at night.
Curious Elixirs: The problem with mocktails is that they are full of sugar. Enter Curious Elixirs. These bottled, pre-mixed cocktails are booze-free yet mimic classic stirred drinks. Elixir No. 1 is an alcohol-free spin on the Negroni that is lightly carbonated and full of flavor. It’s another superfood and adaptogen blend design to help you unwind without worrying about empty calories or a potential hangover.
Ritual: This company’s goal is to give people more drinking options, so they created flavorful, botanic alternatives for gin, whiskey, and tequila. Thanks to the placebo effect, these alternatives might even make you feel a little tipsy. The gin and tequila options have 0 calories and 0 sugar, which makes them perfect for stirring up a macro-friendly mocktail.
Want more help finding that perfect balance while socializing and tracking your macros? Book a free call with The Habyt and learn how you can break free from traditional diets and finally feel free to eat or DRINK the things you want.