From Toronto.com (http://www.toronto.com/article/000-000-930)
Dieters can now lift their spirits without gaining weight.
By Alison Martin
Sugar-free, low-fat, low-carb: There are many methods of attack in the on-going battle of the bulge, none of which cooperate with the rigours of a social lifestyle, especially around the holiday season. In an effort to shed those extra pounds, many Canadians are reducing their carbohydrate intake, and limiting their alcohol consumption. But cutting back on carbs no longer means barring yourself from the bar.
According to a recent Ipsos-Reid survey, 93 per cent of Canadians are highly vigilant about what they eat and drink and 25 per cent are currently on a weight-loss diet or would like to lose weight. With enjoying life to the fullest, and making the most out of merriment still a front-running goal of consumers, several breweries have introduced low-carb alternatives for this health-conscious population.
Bottles of Labatt Sterling were introduced across Canada in December 2003 in response to an increase in people opting for a low-carb lifestyle. With only 2.5 grams of carbohydrates and 88 calories per 341 ml bottle, it is one of the lowest-calorie beers on the market and was the first lower-carbohydrate beer available across Canada.
"Beer drinkers were clearly waiting for a lower-carb option that doesn't compromise on taste," says Nigel Miller, director of public affairs for Labatt Breweries of Canada. "Now they're asking for it on draught as well."
But beer drinkers aren't the only ones seeking low-carb alternatives. Premium drinks company Diageo Canada Inc. has re-introduced some of its spirits in what they call the No Carb Bar. Zero carb spirits such as vodka, gin and whisky contain no carbs, making them the spirited beverage of choice for dieters following the low-carb lifestyle.
"The great thing about Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Crown Royal and Johnnie Walker is that they are absolutely carb free and always have been," says Mark Harding, vice president, corporate affairs at Diageo Canada . "Their taste remains original and true when combined with zero carb mixers."
And what are these miraculous zero carb tonics? They include club soda, diet tonic and diet ginger ale, all beverages that maintain the zero carb content when added to cocktails. Although many dieters may opt to mix alcohol with fruit juice, they should be aware that an 8 ounce serving can add an average of 25 grams of carbs to a zero carb drink.
Another option for carb-conscious drinkers is the move toward "neat" cocktails or spirits served straight up (without mix or ice). "When a spirit is served pure, its complexities and nuances are more discernable," says Harding. "Plus, it's the easiest cocktail to prepare - just pour it in a glass and enjoy."
In the neat spirits category, scotch and rye remain popular. However, with the introduction of flavour-hinted vodkas boasting twists of citrus, berries or vanilla, vodka is another popular drink being enjoyed on its own.
When choosing a beverage, an indicator of a low or no carb beverage is its alcohol content, says Toronto nutritionist Barbie Casselman. "The higher the alcohol level of the drink, the lower its carb-content will be," she says. But, "looking at the benefits of alcohol is a bit of an oxymoron."
Casselman suggests making smart choices when consuming alcohol and considering both the carbohydrate and caloric content of beverages.She suggests that when making drink choices, weight-conscious partiers avoid the sway of the low-carb craze and consider which drink they would consume the least amount of and which would satisfy with the least amount of calories. Alcohol should still be consumed responsibly and enjoyed in moderation.
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