Yes, You Can Drink Wine on a Low-Carb Diet, but Take This Dietitian's Advice

If you've decided to follow a low-carb diet, you know there are some foods you'll need to limit or even restrict. So, what about wine? Your drink of choice isn't off the menu completely, but you'll need to be mindful about the type of wine you're drinking, as well as how much.

If you choose a particularly sweet wine, it's likely higher in carbs, and the empty calories could slow down your progress. "All wines have alcohol calories plus carbohydrates, and wine has varying amounts of sugar added to it, so while a dry wine may not have a lot of carbs, a sweet wine can almost count as a dessert," Julie Stefanski, RDN, owner of Stefanski Nutrition Services in York, PA, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told POPSUGAR. "Most of the time the amount of added sugar isn't offered up on a nutrition label like a snack, so you have to guess with your taste buds and help from your server how many carbs a glass might set you back."

Julie explained that wine can also have unpredictable effects on a person's blood sugar levels. "Individuals with diabetes are always told to drink any alcohol with food to help prevent a low blood sugar level after drinking," she said. It's wise to do the same while following a low-carb diet, since keeping your blood sugar stable can help prevent cravings.

Bottom line: "If you're following a low-carb diet, it's best to opt for just one glass of a dry wine and count the carbs as part of your meal," Julie said. Cheers!