Hang on! alcohol is 'permitted' in strict moderation on Atkins, but better (obviously) avoided totally. And it is not all alcohol, rather it is the lowest carb alcohol such as vodka, gin or other spirits and some wines (not sweet wines or indeed sweet alcoholic drinks of any kind).'
Moderation is the key to Atkins and this applies all the more to booze. The reason for unwise drinking is that many believe that because calories are not limited - merely carbs - the booze will not kick them out of ketosis. Technically this may be correct. However the booze is very high in calories - shockingly high for something so innocent-looking - and most find that booze makes them hungry. Their resolve weakens and they eat anyway - and not just low carb.
As with any food and eating plan the official guidelines as expressed in the books are NOT BEING FOLLOWED. When people go out on binge drinking sessions they are not doing Atkins, they are deviating from plan. People are human and many just love to go out for a drink. This is not the fault of the diet!
Booze is not only dangerous to health when low-carbing it is also likely to cause stalls and even regains as well as increased appetite and decreased willpower lol. Drinking to excess is not approved on any diet that I have ever heard of. Nor is suddenly losing control and eating half the contents of the kitchen cupboard in one evening. Yet that happens too, all the time, even without booze.
I stopped drinking completely a couple of months back. I am dealing with a slight regain and making excellent progress. I did not want my occasional social drinking to interfere with either my ketosis or my weight loss. Booze makes me hungry. I lost a lot of weight on CD years back. It is stressed on TFR diets that alcohol should be avoided. It is stressed on Atkins that it should be avoided during Induction. Only later, when more carbs are being eaten, should the occasional drink or two be included. Understandably in social situations good intentions can go out of the window. 'Just one drink' often leads to another, and another until finally the dieter ends up in the Chinese takeaway. We've all done it!
