Quick Answer
GREY Goose vodka is a super premium vodka that is distilled and bottled in France. GREY Goose vodka contains no sugar, no fat, no protein, and no carbs. Like all distilled spirits, GREY Goose is made from fermented grains and distilled to remove nearly all compounds besides ethanol (alcohol). The end result is a sugar-free, carb-free, gluten-free spirit. GREY Goose contains only ethanol and water.
Ingredients in GREY Goose Vodka
According to the GREY Goose website, the primary ingredients in GREY Goose vodka are:
– Water – Vodka is primarily composed of water. The water used in GREY Goose comes from a natural spring in France.
– Winter wheat – GREY Goose uses a specific varietal of winter wheat called “picardan wheat” that is grown in Picardy, France. This soft white winter wheat imparts subtle flavors and a smooth finish.
– Yeast – GREY Goose uses its own proprietary yeast strain to ferment the wheat mash into alcohol.
That’s it – just three simple ingredients. There are no added sugars, flavorings, or carbohydrates in GREY Goose. The wheat and yeast are used to produce ethanol through fermentation, but their sugars and carbs do not carry over into the final distilled spirit.
Nutritional Information
Here are the basic nutritional facts for GREY Goose vodka according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) database:
Serving Size: 1.5 fluid ounces (one shot)
Calories: 97
Fat: 0 g
Protein: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 0 g
Sugars: 0 g
As you can see, GREY Goose has zero carbs, zero sugar, and zero fat. The only nutrient present is alcohol, providing 97 calories per shot.
All distilled spirits like vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey have minimal nutritional value. Their distillation process removes nearly everything but alcohol and water. So every vodka on the market, including GREY Goose, is free of sugar and carbohydrates.
The Distillation Process Removes Sugars and Carbs
Here’s a quick overview of how GREY Goose vodka is made:
1. Wheat grains are milled into flour and mixed with water to make a mash. Enzymes break down the wheat starch into fermentable sugars.
2. Yeast is added to the mash to ferment the sugars into alcohol. This fermentation process converts the sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
3. The fermented mash is then distilled in a multi-step process using column stills. Distillation involves selectively boiling and condensing the ethanol to separate it from the original mash.
4. The finished spirit passes through additional filtration steps to remove any remaining impurities and flavors.
As you can see, the sugars and carbohydrates naturally present in wheat get converted to alcohol (ethanol) during fermentation. The distillation process then isolates the ethanol from the original wheat mash. So none of those carbs or sugars make it into the final bottle of vodka. All that remains is distilled alcohol and water.
This distillation process is true for all vodkas, which is why they are all naturally free of carbs and sugar. The same goes for other distilled spirits like gin, rum, whiskey, etc.
Effects on Blood Sugar and Diabetes
Since GREY Goose vodka contains zero sugar and carbs, it will not directly raise blood sugar levels. However, alcohol does effect blood glucose and insulin sensitivity in other ways:
– Alcohol inhibits the liver’s ability to produce glucose for several hours after drinking. This can lead to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if drinking on an empty stomach.
– Alcohol impairs the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar properly. Both high and low glucose levels are more likely after alcohol consumption.
– Over time, heavy drinking reduces insulin production and contributes to insulin resistance. This can worsen blood sugar management in people with diabetes.
So while vodka itself does not contain sugar or carbs, it still carries risks related to blood sugar control. Moderation is key, and people with diabetes need to monitor their levels carefully after drinking. Enjoying vodka occasionally with a meal is generally considered safe for people with well-managed diabetes. But heavy, frequent consumption is not recommended.
Does Flavored Vodka Contain Carbs and Sugar?
While original GREY Goose contains no carbs or sugar, flavored vodkas sometimes have added sugars:
– GREY Goose Le Citron – This lemon-flavored vodka does contain traces of sugar from natural lemon flavoring. But at less than 1 carb and sugar per serving, it’s considered “low-carb.”
– GREY Goose La Vanille – This vanilla-flavored vodka contains traces of sugar from natural vanilla bean extractives. However, it’s still considered low-carb.
– GREY Goose Cherry Noir – This cherry-blackberry flavored vodka contains no sugar or carbs. The natural fruit flavors do not add any sweetness.
So while flavored vodkas may contain some residual natural sugars, the amounts are negligible (less than 1g per serving) in most cases. The only exceptions would be heavily sweetened vodkas with added cane sugar, which GREY Goose does not produce.
Low-Carb Diets Like Keto
Vodka contains no carbs or sugar, making it a permitted alcohol on low-carb and ketogenic diets such as Atkins or Keto.
However, alcohol is still metabolized differently than carbs and can stall weight loss or knock you out of ketosis through gluconeogenesis. This is the production of glucose from non-carb sources like alcohol or protein.
Here are some tips for drinking vodka on a low-carb/keto diet:
– Stay within your maximum daily alcohol limits (1 drink for women, 2 for men)
– Avoid sugary vodka mixers, opting for low-carb options like soda water or diet soda
– Consume vodka alongside fat and protein to minimize metabolic effects
– Consider low-calorie options like seltzer or vodka sodas
– Avoid beer and wine, which contain more residual carbs than vodka
In moderation, vodka can be integrated into a low-carb lifestyle. Just don’t overdo it – excess alcohol consumption can sabotage ketosis and your weight loss goals.
What About Sugar Alcohols?
Some people confuse sugar alcohols (like xylitol or erythritol) with alcoholic drinks. But sugar alcohols are completely unrelated to drinking alcohol.
Sugar alcohols are low-calorie sweeteners that are often used as sugar substitutes in low-carb foods and diet products. They are hydrated forms of carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion.
Common sugar alcohols include:
– Xylitol
– Erythritol
– Sorbitol
– Mannitol
– Isomalt
– Maltitol
Sugar alcohols are carbs – usually 2 to 3 calories per gram. So they can affect blood sugar levels and ketosis. But they have minimal impact compared to regular sugar since most pass through the body undigested.
Vodka and other distilled spirits contain zero sugar alcohols. Sugar alcohols are only found as added sweeteners in certain diet foods and chewing gums – not in beverages like vodka.
Mixers That Increase Carb/Sugar Content
While vodka itself is sugar and carb-free, some common mixers and sodas can add carbohydrates:
| Mixer | Carbs per serving |
|---|---|
| Cranberry juice cocktail | 33g |
| Pineapple juice | 27g |
| Orange juice | 26g |
| Sweet and sour mix | 18g |
| Ginger ale | 17g |
| Tonic water | 16g |
| Cola | 14g |
| Lemon-lime soda | 13g |
To keep sugar and carb intake low, choose low-calorie mixers like:
– Diet soda
– Seltzer water
– Sparkling water
– Sugar-free tonic
– Diet cranberry juice
Or opt for a simple vodka soda with lime or lemon. Avoid sugary fruit juices, sweet mixes, and regular sodas which can make the drink much higher in carbs.
Gluten-Free Status
GREY Goose vodka is considered gluten-free.
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity need to avoid it.
During the distillation process, the gluten from GREY Goose’s wheat grains gets removed and separated from the final spirit. The finished vodka tests well below the FDA limit of 20 parts per million of gluten to be certified gluten-free.
So although it is originally distilled from wheat, GREY Goose vodka contains negligible amounts of gluten in the final bottled product. People with celiac disease or sensitivities can safely consume GREY Goose in moderation.
However, those with severe gluten allergies should still exercise caution, as some trace amounts may remain. Some vodkas use potatoes or other gluten-free bases. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about consuming vodka distilled from wheat.
Conclusion
In summary, GREY Goose contains no sugar or carbohydrates, making it a low-calorie spirit. The distillation process used to make vodka removes nearly all traces of sugar and carbs from the original wheat mash.
While vodka contains no sugar itself, it can still affect blood sugar levels and management of diabetes. Mixers like juice or soda can also add significant sugar when used in cocktails. On a low-carb diet, vodka is permitted in moderation but may stall weight loss if over-consumed. Those with gluten sensitivities can typically drink GREY Goose safely as well.
Overall, enjoying GREY Goose vodka in reasonable amounts can fit into a healthy lifestyle, even for those watching their sugar and carb intake. Just be mindful of how mixers impact the drink’s nutritional profile. Moderation is key when drinking alcohol of any kind.
