Cleansing can take a lot of effort, and all that hard work to improve your health shouldn’t go unrecognized so why not reward yourself on a Cleanse Day with a deserved drink or two, or three?

April Fools!

Cleanse Days and pranking holidays aside, it’s a reasonable and frequently asked question here at Isagenix if drinking a favorite cocktail or glass of wine is okay when embarking on an Isagenix system. And the answer is yes! It is okay. Depending on your lifestyle, religious beliefs, and eating habits, you may or may not choose to have a drink every now and then. But drinking an alcoholic beverage here and there is a normal part of life for some people and doesn’t have to be completely abandoned. However, just like we want you to improve your dietary choices and eat healthier, we also want you to be mindful of choices you make around alcohol and choose wisely.

Be Mindful of Moderation

Drinking alcohol, just like eating indulgent food, should not be an all or nothing approach. The key is moderation, and moderate alcohol consumption has been found to even have a health benefit by supporting cardiovascular health and the circulatory system (1, 2).

What is moderate? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans set it at one drink per day for women and two per day for men (3). One drink equates to 12 fluid ounces of beer, 5 fluid ounces of wine, and 1.5 fluid ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits. Even though moderate alcohol drinking has been found to provide possible benefit to health, there is a fine line between that and drinking in a way that does not benefit health. Be aware of both types of drinking and be sure to stay on the safe, healthy side.

Be Mindful of Calories

Another factor to keep in mind with drinking is the calorie contribution each drink provides. A glass of wine or a light beer likely will not put you over the edge for daily calories, but there are certain drinks that can counteract even the best efforts in restricting calories. Alcohol is calorie-dense by itself – 7 calories per gram versus 4 calories per gram from protein or carbohydrate. So the more alcohol you drink, the more the calories add up. And if frou frou (read: foo foo) drinks are your favorite (think margarita or a piña colada), you’re likely guzzling down 300 to 400 or more calories per drink from the sugary syrups used or the mixers and liquors added.

Another way that drinking alcohol can throw you off course from weight-loss goals is by lowering inhibitions. Having a drink or two can cause a person to avoid thinking twice about having those chicken wings or chowing down cheesy pizza. Inhibition is everything when it comes to sticking to a healthy eating plan, so keep that in mind when deciding on that second or third drink.

Have a Plan

So how can a person who is trying to lose weight or reach their health goal on an Isagenix system also include alcohol in their protocol? Opposite of the opening joke, do not drink on Cleanse Days, but do know that you can drink moderately otherwise if you choose. To ensure drinking moderately keeps you on track instead of veering you way off course, keep these tips in mind:

  1. Choose the lightest –Wine is a safe option, as a glass of red, white, or sparkling wine has just about 120 calories. Even better is a white wine spritzer (half wine half seltzer) that has around 70 calories. Light beer isn’t a bad option either, containing around 100 calories, and the same 100 calories goes for a mixed drink containing a shot of vodka mixed with a calorie-free mixer such as club soda with a splash of cranberry juice.
  2. Eat something– If you know that Happy Hour is on the horizon, help avoid giving in to whatever food comes your way by having a healthy snack or even an IsaLean Shake beforehand. An added benefit is that having something already in your stomach, the intoxicating effects of alcohol are lessened.
  3. Mix it up – If you’re the type that likes to have a drink in hand to keep up with everyone else then throw a calorie- and alcohol-free drink in the mix. A club soda with lime provides a great fizzy option.

There will always be times in life when a toast is called for. And even if you’re doing an Isagenix system you’ll still need to live your normal life. Instead of fretting about how to avoid alcohol at all costs, realize that you can imbibe, just in a smart and controlled way. Cheers to your health!

References

  1. Ronksley PE, et al. Association of alcohol consumption with selected cardiovascular disease outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2011 Feb;342:d671.
  2. Collins MA, et al. Alcohol in moderation, cardioprotection, and neuroprotection: epidemiological considerations and mechanistic studies. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2009 Feb;33(2):206-19.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#moderateDrinking