Can You Drink Red Wine on a Carnivore Diet? The Truth

If you've ever thought about adopting a carnivorous diet, you may have a question: Can you drink red wine on a carnivore diet? This isn't just about personal choice; it's about comprehending the strict rules of this meat-only diet.

Giving up their beloved beverage could be a significant sacrifice to wine enthusiasts. However, knowing the diet's principles and why certain foods and drinks are prohibited is critical for anybody serious about adhering to it.

Continue reading to learn why red wine isn't appropriate for the carnivorous diet, as well as some alternatives for people who wish to enjoy the ritual of wine without breaking the restrictions.

Learn more: What Alcohol Can You Drink on Carnivore Diet? The Full Checklist 

Can You Drink Red Wine on the Carnivore Diet?

On a carnivorous diet, the answer is no; you cannot have red wine.

This diet concentrates solely on animal products and excludes all plant-based meals, including red wine, which is created from grapes. Even though red wine appears to be safe, it includes natural sugars and carbs that are not allowed on a carnivorous diet.

Furthermore, drinking alcohol can disturb ketosis, a metabolic state commonly obtained by those following the carnivorous diet for fat-burning advantages.

When you consume alcohol, your body redirects its attention from burning fat to digesting the alcohol, which might interfere with the diet's intended outcomes.

For individuals who adhere to the carnivorous diet, investigating non-alcoholic options that meet dietary limitations is a preferable option.

Learn more: What Can You Drink on the Carnivore Diet?

Understanding the Carnivore Diet

What is the carnivore diet?

The carnivore diet is a strict dietary regimen that only consists of animal goods such as meat, fish, eggs, and occasional dairy.

It is a carb-free diet that eliminates all plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

The diet is based on the assumption that human predecessors essentially ate animal products and that current chronic ailments are related to plant-based diets.

Principles for drinks on the carnivore diet

A carnivore diet focuses on ingesting primarily animal-derived nutrients. This implies that permitted beverages are highly restricted.

• Water is the main beverage: On a carnivorous diet, plain water is the most commonly suggested and consumed beverage. It maintains hydration without using any plant-based components.

• Bone broth and animal-based electrolytes: Some carnivore diet followers ingest bone broth, which contains collagen and minerals derived from bones and connective tissues. Animal-based electrolyte beverages can also be used to maintain mineral balance.

• No alcoholic or plant-based beverages: Alcohol, juices, tea, coffee, and any other plant-based beverages are not suggested since they do not adhere to the diet's principles of ingesting solely animal nutrition.

Learn more: Best 10 Electrolyte Drinks for Carnivore Diet

Understanding Traditional Red Wine

What is traditional red wine?

Red wine is a popular alcoholic beverage derived from fermented grapes.

It has a rich history extending back thousands of years and is firmly ingrained in many cultural customs and festivals across the globe.

Red wine has grown in popularity in the United States due to its robust and rich tastes and purported health advantages when drunk in moderation.

The main ingredients in general red wine are:

• Grapes: The main component of red wine, supplying the juice and sugars required for fermentation. Different grape kinds produce different sorts of red wines.
• Yeast: This microbial organism is essential for fermentation, turning grape sugars into alcohol and CO2.

• Tannins: Organic substances found in grape stems, seeds, and skins. Red wine gets its distinctive depth and dryness from tannins.

• Water: Inherently found in grapes and added during winemaking to regulate taste and alcohol level.

Common types of traditional red wine

Each type of red wine has its own taste profile and history, making it a popular beverage.

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its big body and powerful flavors, with notes of black cherry, plum, spice, and wood. It is among the most popular red wine types in the United States.

• Merlot: Merlot has a smoother texture than Cabernet Sauvignon and tastes of chocolate, cherries, and plums. It is often characterized as a light wine that goes well with a variety of dishes.

• Pinot Noir: This is a lighter red wine with a delicate, fruity character characterized by cherry and raspberry. It is versatile and goes well with a variety of meals.

• Zinfandel: This wine is mild to full-bodied, spicy, and has a peppery aftertaste. It may taste like blackberries, cherries, black pepper, and licorice.

• Syrah/Shiraz: Syrah, also called Shiraz in certain places, is renowned for its dark berry aromas and smoky, spicy overtones. It's a powerful wine with flavors of blackberry, black pepper, and sometimes even flowers.

Learn more: Beef Organ Supplements—Grass-Fed from New Zealand

Alternatives to Traditional Red Wine and Their Nutritional Profiles

Non-alcoholic red wines may be an acceptable substitute for individuals on a carnivorous diet who miss the taste of drinking a glass of red.

With these choices, you may still enjoy wine's taste and tradition without consuming any of the unhealthy fats, carbohydrates, or alcohol.

Here's a deeper look at several popular non-alcoholic red wines, along with their nutritional profiles:

#1. Thomson & Scott Noughty Rouge

Thomson & Scott's Noughty Rouge is a non-alcoholic red wine carefully created to provide an impressive, full-flavored wine experience. It's great for individuals who want a deep red without the alcohol.

• Ingredients: Dealcoholized Syrah
• Calories: 14g per serving (100ml)
• Carbs: 3.53g per serving
• Alcohol by volume: <0.5%

#2. Ariel Non-Alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon

Ariel's non-alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic option for individuals who want a rich, full-bodied red wine without alcohol. It preserves the taste of conventional Cabernet while removing the alcohol.

• Ingredients: purified water, dealcoholized wine, grape juice concentrate, natural fruit juice concentrate, natural flavors, and potassium metabisulfite.
• Calories: 52g per serving (240 ml)
• Carbs: 12g per serving
• Alcohol by volume: <0.5%

#3. St. Regis Cabernet Sauvignon

St. Regis provides a refined non-alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon, ideal for individuals who want to experience a rich wine flavor without alcohol. It was created to replicate the strong notes of a typical Cabernet Sauvignon.

• Ingredients: dealcoholized cabernet sauvignon wine, sugar, carbon dioxide, sulfites, ascorbic acid.
• Calories: 50g per serving (333ml)
• Carbs: 12g per serving
• Alcohol by volume: <0.5%

#4. Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend

Surely's non-alcoholic red blend has a balanced flavor profile, blending several red wine varietals for a distinct taste. For those who would rather drink a mix than a single varietal, this is a great option.

• Ingredients: dealcoholized red wine blend, water, cherry juice, white grape juice, natural flavors, carbon dioxide, sulfites (preservative)
• Calories: 30g per serving (5 oz)
• Carbs: 7g per serving
• Alcohol by volume: 0.5%

#5. Proxies Audrey Non-Alcoholic Wine

Proxies is a unique non-alcoholic wine with a flavor profile that combines many grape varietals to provide a flavorful, complex combination. Audrey is one of their most popular products, aimed at wine enthusiasts.

• Ingredients: filtered water, syrah juice, dried elderberry, red wine concentrate, cherry concentrate, blueberry concentrate, vegetable glycerin, fermented black tea, plum concentrate, cascara, aislaby tea, spruce tips, leather britches (air-dried green beans), black malva, juniper extract, sumac extract, french oak extract, burdock root extract, gentian root extract, tartaric acid, sea salt, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, sulfites, juice
• Calories: 30g per serving (150ml)
• Carbs: 6g per serving
• Alcohol by volume: <0.5%

#6. Oddbird Addiction

Oddbird provides a rich taste and strong flavor profile of non-alcoholic red wine. It's an excellent alternative for individuals who wish to have a quality wine experience without using alcohol.

• Ingredients: dealcoholized wine (grapes, preservatives: sulfites), rectified grape must concentrate, preservatives: sulfites
• Calories: 18g per serving (100ml)
• Carbs: 4g per serving
• Alcohol by volume: <0.5%

#7. Saint Viviana Non-Alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon

Saint Viviana produces a delicious, non-alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon that closely resembles traditional red wine.

It is an excellent choice for those who like to experience the taste of wine without the associated nutritional risks.

• Ingredients: dealcoholized cabernet sauvignon wine, water, sugar, yeast protein, potassium carbonate, oak extract
• Calories: 10 per serving (8 fl oz)
• Carbs: 2g per serving
• Alcohol by volume: <0.5%

The Last Shot

In conclusion, traditional red wine is not an option for people following a carnivorous diet due to its plant-based components and sugar content.

Non-alcoholic red wines, on the other hand, provide a feasible option for individuals who want to enjoy the ritual and taste of wine without affecting their nutritional standards.

Choosing the correct non-alcoholic wine requires a careful study of its nutritional profile and components to ensure they are compatible with your dietary objectives.

Whether you're following a carnivorous diet or just limiting your alcohol consumption, these solutions provide a pleasant answer.

Understanding both the restrictions and the alternatives allows you to make educated choices that promote your health and dietary preferences while still allowing you to enjoy life's joys.

Learn more: Can You Drink Vodka on Carnivore Diet?