Everyone loves a drink once in a while, it could be a glass of wine at the end of a long workday or an ice-cold beer while basking in the sun - nothing beats unwinding with friends over a bottle of your favourite alcohol. Yet at the back of our minds, there resonates a tiny pang of guilt when we do indulge ourselves. As libations often do, they loosen us up and in the process, we end up consuming a significant amount of calories while having drinks with friends.
The end result forces us into a situation we’re all too comfortable with - work out intensely at the gym to burn off the excess weight, or restrict your diet and deny yourself of anything possibly Epicurean. There is, however, the third option - by being prudent and drinking consciously, we can still enjoy our booze without putting too much on our waist.
1. Kombucha
You might have heard of kombucha in passing, but what is it exactly? Kombucha is the fermented product of yeast, sugar, and black tea (although other tea varieties may be used). Finding mainstream popularity in the past decade, this so-called super drink is claimed to help boost your immune system, speed up your metabolism, and help you lose weight. Doesn’t that sound perfect?
At this point, it’s natural to wonder what a fermented tea is doing in an article about healthier alcohol options. Well, surprise! As a byproduct of the fermentation process, most kombuchas sport a 0.5% to 2% ABV. Although that might not get you sloshed, it will definitely provide a buzz for all you lightweights out there. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to regular ol’ beer, we suggest picking up a kombucha with a higher ABV (known affectionately as hard kombucha). Unlike beer, hard kombucha sports a lower-calorie count and less sugar while still packing the same punch in terms of alcohol by volume.
2. Light Beer
If kombucha isn’t your cup of tea and you still want to stick to beer as your alcohol of choice, you could also consider swapping to light beer. Retaining the same malty and hop-laden flavours but with significantly fewer calories, light beer is a godsend for the weight conscious. Found in pale lager varieties, light beer achieves its low caloric count from reduced alcohol content and carbohydrates.
The mere mention of light beer might get you some turned noses from beer traditionalists or brewmasters, but the current industry standard for light beer has advanced to the point where taste is never compromised. If you had to do a blind taste test between two beers of the same brand, regular and light - the difference would be negligible. If you won’t take our word for it, get a bottle of Pure Blonde Ultra Low Carb Lager and see if you notice any difference.
3. Red Wine
We can’t talk about healthier ways to enjoy alcohol without talking about red wine. A product of crushed and fermented grapes, humankind has been drinking wine since time immemorial. Apart from the complementary nature of wine with food, research has also shown that a glass of red wine daily has some serious health benefits. Loaded with antioxidants and polyphenols, moderate consumption of red wine is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
The operative word here being “moderate”, of course. Researchers recommend no more than a glass of wine a day, and we suggest quality over quantity. Consider this fantastic Pinot Noir from JARBARLAR, a full-bodied and complex red wine that is widely popular among Singaporeans.
All that said, guilt should be the least of your worries now if you’re consciously swapping to healthier options for alcohol. Stave off the weight gain and enjoy a drink with friends, order online at JARBARLAR now and check out our wide range of spirits, beer, and wine to get your alcohol delivered to your doorstep now.