As the ketogenic diet has surged in popularity, more people are curious if they can enjoy a Michelob ULTRA while following a keto lifestyle. With its low carb and low calorie profile, Michelob ULTRA seems like it could be keto-friendly. However, there are a few important factors to consider before cracking open a cold one on keto.
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
The ketogenic diet, often referred to as “keto,” is a very low-carb, high-fat diet that shares similarities with the Atkins diet. The goal of keto is to put the body into a metabolic state called ketosis. Here’s how it works:
By severely restricting carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat, the body goes into ketosis. In this state, the body becomes incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy instead of carbs. Ketosis also turns fat into ketones in the liver, which can supply energy to the brain.
To reach ketosis, carbs are typically reduced to under 50 grams per day. Some variations of keto, like the standard ketogenic diet, restrict carbs to only 20-30 grams per day.
Advocates claim keto provides many benefits beyond weight loss, including:
- Stable energy and reduced hunger
- Lower blood sugar and insulin levels
- Improvements in heart disease risk factors
- Anti-inflammatory effects
However, the diet is very restrictive and not easy to stick to long-term for many people. It can also be risky for those with certain medical conditions.
Macronutrient Profile of Michelob ULTRA
To determine if Michelob ULTRA fits into a keto diet, let’s look at its macronutrient breakdown per 12 oz serving:
- Calories: 95
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbs: 2.6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 0.6 g
- Protein: 0.6 g
With just 2.6 grams of carbs and no fat, Michelob ULTRA is one of the lowest carb and lowest calorie beers on the market.
For comparison, here are the macros of regular Budweiser beer per 12oz:
- Calories: 145
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 10.6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0.6g
- Protein: 1.3g
As you can see, Michelob ULTRA has significantly fewer calories and carbs than normal beer.
Can You Drink Michelob ULTRA on Keto?
At just 2.6 grams of carbs, Michelob ULTRA seems like it would fit into a keto diet. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Alcohol pauses ketosis. When alcohol is present in the body, the liver will prioritize metabolizing it over other functions, like producing ketones. This means drinking alcohol temporarily suspends ketosis until it’s cleared from the system.
2. Beer can trigger cravings. While one Michelob ULTRA may fit into your macros, beer contains flavors and carbs that can activate hunger signals and cravings. This could lead to overeating carbs later on.
3. The carbs can add up. At 2.6 grams per bottle, just a few beers could easily use up your daily carb allowance. It’s important to budget for alcohol in your daily macros if you choose to drink.
4. There are lower carb options. If your priority is staying in ketosis, there are even lower carb liquors and wines to consider instead of beer.
Low-Carb Alcohol Options on Keto
If you want to enjoy an adult beverage on keto, here are some even lower carb and lower calorie options than Michelob ULTRA:
| Drink | Carbs |
|---|---|
| Hard liquor like vodka, gin, tequila, rum, straight whiskey (1.5 oz) | 0g |
| Dry wines like Pinot Grigio or Pinot Noir (5 oz) | 1-2g |
| Sparkling wines like Champagne or dry Prosecco (5 oz) | 1-2g |
| Light beers like Corona Premier or Bud Select 55 (12 oz) | 2-3g |
| Michelob ULTRA (12 oz) | 2.6g |
As shown above, most hard alcohols contain zero carbs. Dry wines and sparkling wines also clock in at just 1-2 grams per serving. These options will be less likely to disrupt ketosis than beer.
However, drinking alcohol frequently is never recommended, whether on keto or not. Moderation and proper hydration is key if choosing to drink.
Tips for Drinking Alcohol on a Ketogenic Diet
If you want to enjoy an occasional beer or alcoholic drink on keto, here are some tips to make it more keto-friendly:
- Stick to 1-2 servings max to avoid carb overload and increased cravings.
- Drink plenty of water before, during, and after to prevent dehydration.
- Choose light, low-carb beers or zero-carb liquors like vodka or tequila.
- Avoid beer and mixed drinks with added sugars and flavorings.
- Stay away from craft beers, which are often higher in carbs and calories.
- If weight loss is your goal, avoid drinking frequently or heavily.
- Consider skipping alcohol at least during the first few weeks of keto adaptation.
- Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach.
- Make sure to account for the carbs and calories in your daily totals.
With proper planning and moderation, an occasional Michelob ULTRA or low-carb cocktail can be enjoyed on keto. Just don’t overdo it!
The Bottom Line
So can you drink Michelob ULTRA on the ketogenic diet? The answer is it depends. Here’s a quick summary:
- Michelob ULTRA is very low carb compared to regular beer.
- However, alcohol inhibits ketosis while metabolizing in the body.
- Beer can also trigger hunger, cravings, and overeating, especially in excess.
- There are lower carb alcohol options to choose from like hard liquors, dry wines, seltzers.
- It’s possible to drink Michelob ULTRA in moderation on keto but pay attention to your body’s cues.
- Always be mindful of macros, limit portions, and stay hydrated when drinking.
Overall, an occasional Michelob ULTRA may not kick you out of ketosis depending on your carb limit. But it could slow down progress. Use your best judgment and don’t go overboard. When in doubt, opt for a zero-carb spirit with soda water instead.
Other Low-Carb Beer Options
If you want a low-carb beer option but Michelob ULTRA isn’t your favorite, there are alternatives. Here are some other popular low-carb and low-calorie beer choices for keto:
| Beer | Carbs |
|---|---|
| Bud Select 55 | 1.8g |
| Miller 64 | 2.2g |
| Coors Light | 5g |
| Corona Premier | 2.6g |
| Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty | 3.6g |
| Brooklyn Special Effects | 2.5g |
The lowest carb options are Bud Select 55 and Miller 64. However, they are also lower in alcohol at 2.8% and 2.5% ABV respectively. Corona Premier or Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty offer more robust flavors with not much additional carb content.
Sample Keto Meal Plan with Michelob ULTRA
To visualize how Michelob ULTRA can fit into a keto diet, here is a sample meal plan with macros:
Meal Plan
| Meal | Food | Macros |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 2 eggs cooked in 1 tbsp butter 28g avocado 1 oz cheddar cheese |
Fat: 15g Protein: 15g Carbs: 2g Calories: 230 |
| Lunch | Tuna salad made with 2 oz tuna, 1 tbsp mayo, mustard, pickles, and celery on a lettuce wrap | Fat: 8g Protein: 22g Carbs: 4g Calories: 230 |
| Dinner | 6oz chicken thigh 1 cup broccoli sautéed in 1 tsp olive oil Side salad with 2 tbsp ranch dressing |
Fat: 17g Protein: 48g Carbs: 11g Calories: 490 |
| Snack | Part-skim mozzarella cheese stick | Fat: 5g Protein: 7g Carbs: 1g Calories: 80 |
| Beverage | 1 Michelob ULTRA beer | Fat: 0g Protein: 0.6g Carbs: 2.6g Calories: 95 |
| Totals | Fat: 45g Protein: 92g Carbs: 20.6g Calories: 1125 |
As shown above, one Michelob ULTRA beer can fit nicely into a keto meal plan while keeping net carbs low for the day. Of course, be mindful of your personal macros and calorie needs, which may differ from this example.
The Takeaway on Michelob ULTRA and Keto
Michelob ULTRA offers a solid low-carb option for an occasional beer on the ketogenic diet. While it may temporarily pause ketosis, it likely won’t knock you out as long as you limit yourself and plan accordingly. However, there are lower carb alcoholic beverages to pick from if you want to be extra careful.
As with any form of alcohol, it’s best to keep intake moderate and hydrate well when drinking keto-friendly beers like Michelob ULTRA. Avoid beers with higher carb content and added flavors to stay in ketosis. And consider skipping or limiting alcohol during the initial keto adaptation phase.
With some thoughtful planning and self-control, an ice-cold ULTRA can definitely be enjoyed here and there while keeping your keto diet on track. Just budget the carbs properly and don’t go overboard. Prost!
