Tips to living a low-alcohol lifestyle

Alcohol is often referenced as a part of Australian culture. Yet as we’ve become more educated in personal health and wellness, a shift has emerged. More and more Australians are choosing to go alcohol-free or be more considered when it comes to their drinking choices — and why wouldn’t they? Reducing alcohol intake has many benefits.

Alcohol is known to increase weight gain; in fact, most alcohols contain more calories per gram than protein and carbohydrates. Drinking less or not at all often results in weight loss as well as an overall feeling of better physical health.

Reducing alcohol consumption can benefit your mental health too, with alcohol a known depressant that can leave you feeling easily aggravated and low in energy.

And, of course, reducing alcohol intake benefits the liver, which has to work hard to process what we drink.

If you’re looking to reduce or minimise your alcohol intake, here are some tips to keep you focused:

• Write down the reason you’ve decided to do this — and read it daily. Reminding yourself of your motivation can help keep you focused when you feel pressured to drink.
• Plan ahead. If you’re heading into a social situation where you know the drinks will be flowing, come armed with a game plan, whether that’s a maximum number of drinks you’ll consume, a time limit on how long you’ll spend out, a wingman who’s monitoring alcohol intake too or a rehearsed negative response to the question: Another wine?
• Choose an enticing alternative. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re stuck with boring beverages as a result of an alcohol-free lifestyle — but you don’t have to be. There are many great alternatives on the market including this one from the Giesen Group.

Giesen is the world’s first alcohol-removed New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which contains zero alcohol and 100 per cent flavour. The wine is made as a typical Sauvignon Blanc, bursting with flavour, and then the alcohol is gently removed. It is crisp, dry and not too sweet. And with 80 per cent fewer calories than the traditional 12.5 per cent ABV Sauvignon Blanc, it’s good for your health too.

The Giesen 0% range also includes a rosé, pinot gris and merlot.

For more information visit giesen.co.nz.