WELLNESS EDIT | No. 14 |
Non-Alcoholic
HOLIDAYS ARE FOR GOOD FOOD, GREAT COMPANY AND DRINKS THAT ACTUALLY TASTE GOOD: YES, EVEN THE NON-ALCOHOLIC ONES.
A few non-alcoholic options keeps the celebrations flowing, the mornings guilt-free, and everyone happy, even that one friend who’s usually on round three before dessert. They’ll never know you’ve slipped them a zero-proof option!
Below are my three favorite non-alcoholic beers worth opening: proper flavor, great balance, and none of the usual disappointment that makes people wince at the words “alcohol-free.” The Brits, after all, are very precious about their beer.
1. Guinness 0.0 – The Dark, Handsome One
If regular Guinness is the charming Irishman you flirt with at the bar, Guinness 0.0 is his sober, equally charismatic twin who still texts you back the next day.
- Tastes shockingly close to the real thing
- Smooth, roasty, cosy, basically a blanket in a glass
- Works brilliantly with Thanksgiving dinner (especially anything gravy-adjacent)
2. Athletic Brewing Co. – The Overachiever
Athletic Brewing Co. is that overly productive friend who wakes up at 6am, runs a marathon “for fun,” and somehow still has time to meal prep.
They do everything well, golden ales, IPAs, dark beers and none of it tastes like sadness or punishment.
Top picks for Thanksgiving:
- Run Wild IPA (bold and citrusy)
- Upside Dawn (light, crisp, and my personal fave)
3. The Classic Old-School One: Clausthaler
Yes! Clausthaler. The OG. The “I was doing NA beer before it was cool” brand.
It’s simple, malty, drinkable, and reliable, like the Volvo of non-alcoholic beers.
Perfect for the uncle who insists “beer without alcohol isn’t beer,” then drinks the entire six-pack.
Alcohol-Free Beer: Calories & Carbs
| Beer | Serving Size | Calories | Carbs | Notes |
|---|
| Guinness 0.0 | 12 oz (355 ml) | 60 kcal | 13.5 g | Classic stout flavor, widely available |
| Athletic Brewing – Run Wild IPA | 12 oz (355 ml) | 65 kcal | 14 g | Hoppy IPA flavor, full-bodied |
| Athletic Brewing – Upside Dawn Golden Ale 12 oz (355 ml) | 12 oz (355 ml) | 45 kcal | 10 – 11g | Light, crisp, golden ale style |
Non-Alcoholic Spirits & Spritzers
Non-alcoholic wine? I haven’t found one I enjoy yet, spritzers are the next best thing. My go-to NA spirits: Tanqueray 0.0 for gin lovers and Seedlip for everything else. Add plenty of lemon and lime, cherries, or any garnishes you like, mix, sip, and enjoy.
If You are Drinking:
Holidays are for fun, and part of the joy may be relaxing with a cocktail or opening a nice bottle of wine. A few simple things can make a difference to how you feel the following day.
1. Water
For every alcoholic drink, have a glass of water.
Yes, it is annoying.
Yes, you will probably be glad you did.
Alcohol increases fluid loss, and dehydration can contribute to thirst, fatigue, and headaches the following day. Water will not magically prevent a hangover, but staying hydrated is one of the simplest things you can do while drinking.
2. Food
Make sure you eat.
Drinking on an empty stomach allows alcohol to be absorbed more quickly. Having food in your stomach can slow that absorption, and a proper meal gives your body considerably more to work with than cocktails alone.
Protein, carbohydrates, and fats all have a place here. This is not the day to “save calories” by skipping dinner.
3. B Vitamins
Regular or heavier alcohol intake can interfere with the intake and absorption of several B vitamins, particularly thiamine (B1), folate, and vitamin B12. Over time, low levels can contribute to fatigue, weakness, neurological symptoms, and other health problems.
A B-complex may be useful if intake is poor or a deficiency is present, but it is not a hangover cure and it does not cancel out the effects of alcohol. If you drink regularly, it is worth making sure your diet is providing enough B vitamins and checking levels when clinically appropriate.
4. What You Drink Can Matter
Not all alcoholic drinks are chemically identical. Darker spirits such as bourbon tend to contain higher levels of congeners, compounds produced during fermentation that contribute to flavor and color and may also make hangover symptoms worse for some people.
That doesn’t mean switching to vodka gives you a free pass, the amount of alcohol you drink still matters far more, but if you consistently feel considerably worse after certain drinks, there may be more to it than coincidence.
Read: Effects of Alcohol (NIAAA)
Bottom Line
The holidays don’t have to feel like a competitive sport. A little tipsy can be fun; overdoing it usually isn’t. Swapping even one or two alcoholic drinks for a zero-proof option can make a noticeable difference without making the evening feel any less social. These tips may seem obvious, but sometimes the simplest things really do work: eat, drink water, pace yourself, and pay attention to both what you’re drinking and how much. Cheers, and happy holidays!
Check out: ‘Stress-Free Holiday Eating‘ for tips on enjoying the holidays without the guilt
