Can You Drink Alcohol On The Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet has been hailed as a dietary remedy for autoimmune disorders and allergies, inflammation, and digestive issues. It may even help those struggling with excess weight. But many carnivore dieters wonder what they can drink when attending social events.

One of the most common questions is, “Can you drink alcohol on the carnivore diet?” However, the answer to this question is not a simple one. Although—in its strictest form—the carnivore diet does not encourage alcohol intake, this can be very limiting to people who lead active social lives.

To make the right decision for your situation, read this guide to the pros and cons of alcohol on the carnivore diet. We’ve also included some tips for healthy social drinking habits.

​The Negatives Of Drinking Alcohol On The Carnivore Diet

​Alcohol is made by fermenting grains, fruits, and vegetables. Therefore, processed plant foods and alcohol should have no place in a low-carb diet like the carnivore lifestyle. You are also consuming sugar when you drink wine, although this is not the case with gin, tequila, and whiskey. 

But there are other cons to consuming alcohol on the carnivore diet. 

1. ​Affects Your Metabolism

When you consume alcohol, your body prioritizes alcohol metabolism above all else. Alcoholic drinks therefore affect your metabolic health by delaying other metabolic functions and can lead to weight gain. That’s bad news for anyone interested in weight loss. 

Alcohol slows down fat metabolism, but it also adds calories. Alcohol contains about 7 calories per gram, which is close to the caloric content of fat. So the more you drink, the less your body will metabolize the fat, as it’s concentrating on metabolizing the alcohol. Worse still, your calorie intake will rise dramatically.

So, if you’re committing to carnivorism to help curb weight gain, follow carnivore diet guidelines and avoid alcohol. You’ll be happier when you step on the scale.

2. Risk Of Addiction And Poor Decision-making

With regular and excessive drinking, there is always the risk of addiction. This is true whether you’re on the carnivore diet or not. But even if you aren’t addicted, alcohol use can affect your decision-making. Avoid alcohol if you are in recovery from any addiction, particularly a substance use disorder. 

Alcohol can affect seemingly more benign decisions too. It can weaken your resolve to stick to your dietary goals and make you more likely to eat high-carb foods. Alcohol use disrupts metabolism and throws our innate hunger and fullness cues into chaos. 

This study published by Cambridge University shows that people who drink alcohol don't allocate for the calories in their drinks which causes excess calorie consumption:

The result is an imbalance in blood glucose. Cravings for sweet things are common in people in the early stages of sobriety. If you have started the carnivore diet and have just quit heavy drinking, this is something you need to be aware of. Be strong; the cravings eventually subside as your health is restored.

3. ​Increase In Food Cravings

Here’s even more bad news for those wanting to lose a few pounds. It’s already widely known that drinking alcohol can increase your food cravings. But in recent years, science has been able to offer solid evidence of this.

Research suggests that alcohol stimulates the nerve cells in the brain’s hypothalamus. And because these neurons in the brain are activated by starvation, your body will be tricked into thinking you are ravenously hungry! This can cause you to eat non-animal products, thus breaking the principle of the carnivore diet.

​The Benefits Of Moderate Alcohol Consumption

Despite the negatives, there are a couple of benefits of moderate consumption of alcohol on the carnivore diet. Let’s take a closer look at what they are.

1. ​Lower Risk Of Certain Diseases

Heavy alcohol intake can indeed increase the risk of certain illnesses. It can impair liver function, crucial for the metabolism of dietary fats, and cause nutritional deficits. However, moderate drinking may be good for your health. 

One of the biggest benefits of alcohol on the carnivore diet is its potential to lower the risk of certain diseases. The antioxidants called polyphenols found in certain alcoholic beverages like wine offer several health benefits.

Red wine contains more of these polyphenols, particularly a polyphenol called resveratrol. This may help reduce inflammation, lower bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol, and even prevent heart disease.

2. ​The Social/Psychological Aspect

Of course, a high intake of alcohol can negatively impact your physical and mental health. However, there are some positives to moderate alcohol consumption. The social and psychological benefits of moderate alcohol consumption are especially relevant to the carnivore diet. 

The carnivore diet is very restrictive and if you are used to eating a more varied diet, it can be challenging to stay on track. A glass of wine at a social event with friends helps people feel sociable and less inhibited. It offsets the initial feelings of frustration felt by many who are new to the carnivore eating plan. 

3. Less Restrictive

Let's be honest, the Carnivore Diet is already incredibly restrictive and for some people, that can be a little bit too much. Having a small amount of alcohol every now and then can help you fit in during events, take the edge off of awkward social situations and provide enough variety to keep you on track.

​Tips For Healthy Social Drinking On The Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet is an elimination diet. It can work wonders for people struggling with autoimmune disorders and other illnesses exacerbated by certain plant-based foods, But due to its restrictive nature, it is intended for temporary use only. 

Most carnivore enthusiasts ease into a more relaxed form of the eating plan for long-term health. So although alcohol is not a part of the strict carnivore meal plan, incorporating alcohol in moderation is fine for most people once their health has been restored.  

Here are our top tips for healthy social drinking of alcohol on the carnivore diet.

• Steer clear of regular beer, which is grain-based and high in calories. Light beers are not necessarily low in carbs; the ‘light’ just means less alcohol. But they will typically be lighter in carbs, too.
• Wine can also have a high sugar content. Choose drinks with a lower carb content when attending events, such as wine spritzers instead of sugary cocktails. You’ll get the health benefits of the wine’s polyphenols with less carb intake.
• Avoid tonic water in your drink. It’s used in many popular mixed drinks but it’s high carb as it contains a lot of sugar. soda water or other non-caloric mixers. Switch to low-carb soda water or other non-caloric mixers without sugar content.
• Rum, whiskey, and gin are excellent choices for drinks with fewer carbohydrates and sugars. But no matter your fix of choice, set limits for yourself. There can be too much of a good thing! Moderate drinking means one drink for women, and no more than two drinks for men, in a day. 
• Never drink to the point of intense intoxication, where alcohol consumption ceases to be social and will adversely affect your health. Your body’s ability to metabolize fats will be impaired. Your liver, kidneys, heart, and central nervous system will also be negatively affected by excessive alcohol use. ​

​What To Drink Instead

Switch to a healthier alternative for at-home drinking and limit the alcoholic drinks at social gatherings. 

If the idea of sipping something cool on a warm summer evening appeals to you, you don’t have to drink alcohol. Sparkling water is bubbly and refreshing, essential for hydration and your overall health. Sugar-free iced coffee or tea is another tasty option.

​Final Thoughts

Whether or not you choose to drink alcohol on the carnivore diet is up to you. Alcohol, in moderation, may provide some benefits for your mental and physical well-being. However, when drinking alcohol on the carnivore diet, the cons may outweigh the pros.

If you’re still in the early stages of the carnivore diet, and your health issues are not yet resolved, stick to sparkling water. However, if your health has dramatically improved and you are ready to transition to a more relaxed form of carnivore eating, the odd glass of wine won’t hurt.

As always, be true to your own health needs, and speak to your doctor if you have any chronic illnesses. If your health does not pose a problem, occasional alcoholic beverages are an enjoyable way to unwind with friends. As with diet, the key is moderation and portion control.