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About alcoholic beverages
Some of you have asked us whether it is possible or not to include alcoholic beverages in your menu. Except in the case of gastro-oesophageal reflux, for which alcohol is contra-indicated because of its irritant effect on the inner lining of the oesophagus, alcohol can be included, subject to certain conditions:
- Consumption should be light or moderate, that is, one drink per day for women and one or two a day for men;
- The weekly consumption of alcohol should not exceed 9 drinks for women and 14 drinks for men. But these drinks should be spread out over the course of the week. For example, drinks that were not consumed one day should not be carried over to the weekend;
- It is advisable to drink while eating and not on an empty stomach;
- Opt for red wine in place of white wine, as the former contains Resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant;
- Don’t forget that the calories in alcoholic beverages will get added to the ones in your menu: A standard drink of wine (1/2 cup or 125 ml) contains around 100 calories; a glass of beer (350 ml) has around 150 calories, while a standard drink of hard liquor (45 ml) such as gin (40% alcohol) contains around 110 calories.
Author
Cinzia Cuneo, founder of SOSCuisine.com, never wanted to neglect the quality of her food. She shares her special expertise to make good food quickly and without complications!
Hi Ms Cuneo,
Thank you for your very practical and well organized website.
While reading the instructions for my meal plan I found an article about alcohol consumption.
Do you think it needs to be updated? The guidelines for 1 drink / day for women and 2 for men is no longer the standard. Actually, it is better not to drink alcohol at all. But if people are not able to abstain, even for health reasons, maybe 1 drink a week or a month ! I know it can be hard for some people. But it has been proven to cause breast cancer for women and bladder cancer for men. I personally know people who died from drinking moderately, only 1 drink a day for “helping the heart” as the doctors used to recommend many years ago.
The urologists at Sacré Coeur hospital now ask the patients with bladder cancer: “are you a smoker or do you drink alcohol regularly?” How things have changed!!!
Hello Marie-José, You are right that many organizations are suggesting different guidelines. However official guidelines for healthy people have not changed. Obviously this is different for people with a health condition, pregnant women etc. I invite you to check Health Canada 2025 guidelines https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/alcohol/low-risk-alcohol-drinking-guidelines.html