Happy humpday!
I’ve been getting some terrific questions from all of you on email and in my comments, and I have a strong suspicion that many of you might be curious to hear the answers. So I’m going to begin choosing one question each week and responding on the blog.
This week’s raw question:
Is it OK to drink on a raw food diet?
The short answer: absolutely! Many raw foodists drink, and some, including Sarma Melngailis of Pure Food and Wine, are seasoned oenophiles. If you’re going to drink on the raw diet, I personally suggest making red wine your beverage of choice: it’s gentler to the system and less acidic than hard alcohol. There’s also some evidence to suggest that the resveratrol and antioxidants in red wine may prove beneficial to heart health. (No, this is not an excuse to uncork a bottle and finish it yourself nightly, but a glass with dinner should be fine.)
If you’re going to drink red wine, most raw foodists suggest (and I agree) that you look for labels that are organic and low in sulfates. Trader Joe’s has some inexpensive ones. My friend Kristen recommends Organic Vinter’s Mendocino Pinot Noir; I’ve tasted and likes some Bonterra wines.
Many raw foodists discourage alcohol consumption due to the acidity and the overall effect on feelings of health and vitality. My advice to newcomers is to pick and choose your battles. If you’re just starting to eat more raw foods and you’re excited about the diet, don’t drive yourself crazy by also trying to quit the sauce at the same time. You can eat raw and enjoy the benefits while still having a drink or two on weekends.
As you’ll see in my FAQs, I don’t drink, except for a sip of wine here and there (usually from my dinner date’s glass!). This is a personal choice, not a raw choice. I don’t like the way alcohol effects my energy, and I like to be fully conscious at all times. I’m also not a creature of moderation, and I know myself well enough to know that staying away from alcohol altogether is the best option for me. But I don’t discourage anyone who has a healthy relationship with alcohol from drinking on a raw diet. Just remember, of course, to keep it moderate and predicated on enjoyment, social merriment, and taste, rather than escapism or abandon.
And remember, if you’re wondering “is ______ raw?” it’s important to shift the terms of the question to “is ______ healthy for me?” These two things don’t always go hand in hand. It’s totally OK to be curious about what qualifies as raw and what doesn’t, but keep your focus on what’s healthy for you (nutritionally and emotionally), and not just on what’s raw and what’s not. In this case, drinking may be totally OK on a raw diet, but not the right choice for you in terms of health; on the flip side, even though hardcore raw foodists tend to discourage it, drinking might be an essential part of your social life and your joy in experiencing meals. So use your judgment, and do what’s right for you.
xo
I'm a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, a former book editor, and a post-baccalaureate pre-med student at Georgetown University. I'm passionate about helping people to discover and enjoy plant based foods in a simple and healthy way. My name is pronounced like "Jenna."
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post! I use to drink a lot of red wine, but I haven’t had any alchol since last July. Alcholism is VERY close in my family as well. Growing up seeing that has always prevented me from being a big drinker but last summer I was drinking a lot on the weekends. I feel a lot better not drinking, I feel with crohn’s I probably never should of drank in the first place! My destiny was to be sober! Although, I do enjoy a Kombucha buzz..hehe!
Thanks babe! I feel so much better without booze. And I think when it’s close (i.e., a parent), it’s just hard to enjoy it the way many people can, and do. But yeah: a Kombucha buzz every now and then, or a little sip of red wine, is delightful!! xo
Excellent post! I, too, feel better without booze. Alcoholism runs in my family and I’ve had my own struggles with moderation in the past (read: college), so I totally understand where you’re coming from.
P.S. I made the raw alfredo last night and it was amazing! It was actually my first all raw day – yay! I’ve been trying to incorporate a whole day of raw into my diet for awhile now and your blog really encouraged me. And guess what? It felt great and wasn’t hard at all! Thank you!!
fabulous response. I used to have Pure Thursday cocktails every week. I miss that tradition. While I mainly drink red wine (rioja), it’s hard to feel guilty when sipping a master-cleanse-tini!
Speaking of Kombucha.. is there enough alcohol to get a buzz in it. I’m on my second bottle ever, guava flavored, and I realized it tastes like wine more than anything else. I can’t say I felt buzzed after drinking half the bottle, but I definitely felt like I was sipping a glass of vino rather than drinking a cold pro-biotic filled glass of some sort of cultured tea.
Hmmm.
-E
Mel,
I have yet to try that damn -tini. I have to at least taste it soon!
Emmy,
I don’t drink Kombucha often, but yes, it definitely gives me a buzz! That said, I’m a total lightweight. So pretty much EVERYTHING with alcohol content gives me a buzz.
Gena
I love what you said at the end. It really isnt about being 100% raw or vegan for that matter.. its really what is best for your body and what will be healthiest for you as an individual. Thank you for this post!!!
Love the twist on your question.
There are some great organic wines out there, and there is another brand that I’m a big fan of but I can’t remember the name!!! Darn! I buy it at Whole Foods and the label is orange and yellow, almost looks like a sun or half of a sun (I think). It’s not only made with organic grapes, but it’s also vegan. Many people don’t realize that not all wines are vegan. I like to make sure it’s vegan before buying… if it is, it’ll clearly state it on the label.
GREAT point, Kristen! Not all people realize that not all wines are vegan. When wines go through “fining” (or filtering) many wine makers use a substance called albumen, which is actually a derivative of egg whites. So, my vegan friends: look for the label Kristen is talking about at Whole Foods, talk to your local wine purveyor, or simply do some internet research to fine a great organic and vegan wine that fits in your budget.
Thanks, K! xo
I don’t drink either… lots of addiction in my family as well..
It’s great though for people who do enjoy a glass of wine that they can do it while being raw. I sometimes use wine in uncooking/cooking too..
Hi, http://www.choosingraw.com to GoogleReader!
Have a nice day
Hi Gena,
Your blog has really encouraged me to incorporate more raw foods into my diet–thanks!!! I feel better already.
Also, how do you deal with hanging out with friends who drink or want to make the main activity of the night drinking? I come from a family where there’s a history of addiction and it’s best for me to avoid drinking, too. Any tips?
Thanks,
TC
Hey, TC,
Most of the time my friends are pretty great about making time with me their chance to do non-drinking related things (movies, dinners, coffee, museums, walks) that they probably would like to do more of, but it doesn’t always occur to them. But when drinking is definitely on the agenda for the evening, I just try to join in the activity, sip a club soda, and enjoy myself. I’m pretty energetic and enjoy being out and about regardless of whether or not I’m drinking, so I don’t tend to feel bothered by this. Oftentimes, anxiety about not drinking is all in your head: other people aren’t really looking at the beverage in your hand or noticing if you don’t drink. They’re just having fun.
Obviously, there’s often a point in the night where the people who are tipsy/drunk tend to separate from those who aren’t drinking, or just those who need to get home. That’s usually when I tend to make my exit — obviously, being sober around a bunch of people who are sloshed isn’t so fun. But this is usually not until the wee hours; for normal cocktail parties, events, or meeting up with friends after work or whatnot, I find that drinking my non-alcoholic beverage and catching up with people I like is totally painless.
Hope this is helpful and that you keep reading!
Gena