Why would we want to reduce drinking in the first place? According to the new Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction report, only two or fewer drinks a week pose a relatively low health risk. Everything beyond that *quite modest!* number significantly increases the risk of certain cancers, stroke, heart disease, and more. It’s also important to note that CCSA defines 1 drink as 1.5 oz. of hard liquor, 5 oz. wine or 12 oz. of beer.
Knowing the risks is one thing, but shifting away from “just a glass of wine with dinner” without feeling restricted is a different story. However, if you choose to make this change, I’m with you in it!
To help you make this transition as easy as possible, I joined my own experience balancing a role of a natural wine buff and a nutritionist, as well as tips shared by my wonderful Instagram community. As a result, I’ve got a list of practical tips you can try today to see what sticks.
Practical ways to reduce drinking alcohol today:
- Determine when you drink for PLEASURE and when you drink by inertia and only do the first one.
- Get a set of smaller “wine” glasses (I use these “Nick and Nora” cocktail glasses). It works especially well during dinners when you’d feel awkward pouring yourself a glass every few minutes.
- Try GABA supplements. Alcohol binds to GABA receptors, mimicking its relaxing effects on the brain. We produce GABA naturally but in smaller quantities, so supplementing with it may help with relaxation without toxic side effects.
- Don’t fall prey to the people at the parties asking, “omg, why aren’t you drinking?” and pick up a glass just because of them – they won’t be paying your medical bills later.
- If at all possible- choose natural wine as it doesn’t have any additives (so far, none of the studies evaluated the quality of alcohol and the role of additives in wine/liquor).
- If you enjoy having SOMETHING to accompany your dinner and only choose wine as the most obvious option – find a non-alcoholic drink that you LOVE (make sure it doesn’t have loads of sugar). My favorites include raw unflavoured kombucha, water kefir, and lightly sweetened cold tea.
- If you reach for a glass at the end of the day because the day was stressful (is it ever not?), looking for an alternative stress release may be the best substitute. It could look like a 5-minute Heart Math practice, a good movie, a massage, or a dance class.
More posts you may like:
- How to start eating healthy when you don’t know where to start
- Refined vs. Natural sugar – what’s the difference
- Five meal tips for stable blood sugar (and reducing anxiety!)
