How To Choose The Perfect Keto Wine?
The Ketogenic diet is a low carb diet which focuses on more and more consumption of fats and proteins and negligible intake of carbohydrates in order to send the body into the process of Ketosis. The first question which pops into our minds while thinking of taking up the Keto diet is generally, "Is alcohol allowed?". While most of the sources which say a big No to this, we say, "It depends". This blog aims to burst the myth about all the fuss around cutting down on alcohol totally when on a low carb diet like Keto. If you're a wine lover, you must be aware that light drinks such as vodka and tequila can still be consumed in small quantities. We're here to throw light on the consumption of wine on a Ketogenic diet. A wise person would always choose the finest wine available so why not do the same when on a Keto diet. There are a plethora of clean wines which can be taken on a low carb diet which don't have high sugar content thus keeping your body fluids unharmed. Here we are talking of Dry Wine and Biodynamic Wine which are considered to be Keto friendly and won't cause a problem in the process of Ketosis.
KETO FRIENDLY WINE
Keto friendly wine or "dry wine" might be a new term for many dieter's out there but we are glad to tell you that they exist. A wine can be called Keto friendly when it contains less than 10 grams of sugar per bottle. However without the nutrition information printed on the bottle you cannot tell which wines are lower in sugar. We've got you covered there as well. Sweet wines, as opposed to dry ones, have a much shorter fermentation process. Since the yeast does not have a chance to consume all the sugar, more of it gets left behind. The leftover sugar contributes to the sweet, fruity flavor, and as a result, you will find more carbs in each glass or bottle. That’s why you should always look for the phrase “dry wine" when choosing a Ketogenic wine.
Another Keto friendly wine is the "Biodynamic Wine". Biodynamic wines may also be lower in sugar. A wine is biodynamic when it’s grown according to a specific set of farming practices that are even more stringent than the organic label requires. Biodynamic farms use beyond-sustainable practices that leave the land in better shape than when they started. That means chemical fertilizers and pesticides are out of the question and all plants and animals work in tandem to create a fertile environment with rich topsoils. It is quite clear now that if you're craving alcohol you can take little amounts of wine that has specifically to be either Dry Wine or Biodynamic Wine since they have comparatively less sugar amounts and less net carbs, also they won't add much to your daily calorie intake. However they should be taken only occasionally and in moderation.
HOW TO FIND A KETO FRIENDLY WINE
Value-driven dry wines tend to have more residual sugar to improve the taste. We’ve seen value wines range from about 5–30 g/L of residual sugar. White and rose wines often feature some level of residual sugar. Sweetness in white and rosé wines helps counterbalance acidity. So, to be safe, you can anticipate 10 g/L or 1.5 g carbs per serving. European wines (France, Italy, Greece, etc.) tend to prioritize dryness. So you might try more Nebbiolo, Bordeaux, Chianti, Rioja, or even that compelling Xinomavro listed above! Sparkling wines marked with “Brut,” “Extra Brut,” or “Brut. Nature typically has the lowest amounts of residual sugar. Expect 1.5g carbs per glass or less. Here’s a fun article about Champagne sweetness levels for more information. Use search terms like “fact sheet,” “tech sheet,” “rs,” or even “pH” to search for a specific wine’s technical information quickly.
WHICH WINES TO AVOID ON A KETO DIET
Wines with higher alcohol levels include varieties like Shiraz, Pinotage, Zinfandel, and Grenache. You can’t blame them for it. They’re naturally high in sugar and must be avoided on a Keto diet to avoid potential risk factors. What’s more important to avoid is wines with higher sweetness levels (anything above 30 g/L RS or 4.5g carbs). Sweet wines include Moscato, Port, and other dessert wines. There are a plethora of clean wines which can be taken on a low carb diet which don't have high sugar content thus keeping your body fluids unharmed.
THE BOTTOM LINE
While it is definitely true that too much alcohol is bad for health not only on a diet but otherwise as well, if one is still craving it, it can be tough to control the sugar rush and must be avoided on a Keto diet. Keto Friendly Wines can be a savior during such times. However one must remember that moderation is the key and wine should only be taken occasionally so that it does not harm the ongoing process of Ketosis.
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