Alcohol Free Diet

Although it is often said that a glass of wine in the evening protects the heart, experts agree that regular consumption of alcohol cannot be universally recommended. [1]

Why people choose an alcohol free diet

There are several reasons why people refrain from consuming alcohol and choose a completely alcohol-free diet.

There are, in rare cases, people who suffer from an alcohol (ethanol) allergy. Most people are able to metabolise alcohol without a problem, there are some people however who lack the enzyme Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH), which is responsible for metabolizing alcohol into acetic acid, meaning that they cannot properly metabolise alcohol and should avoid it. Possible symptoms are shortness of breath, skin rash and itching.

Often, the appearance of allergy or intolerance symptoms after alcohol consumption is due to other allergens present in the beverage (eg histamine and sulfites in wine, gluten in beer). [2]

A special life philosophy or religion can be a reason for following an alcohol free diet. Strict alcohol free diets are very important for recovering alcoholics as well.

Labelling

In Europe, only drinks containing more than 1.2 vol -% alcohol are required to label their alcohol content. Wines, beers and juices containing less than 0.5 vol -% alcohol can be labeled as being alcohol free. In Canada only beverages containing 1.1% or more alcohol by volume is considered an alcohol beverage.

Foods that contain alcohol are to be appropriately labeled in Germany. [3] For loose foodstuffs, such as from bakeries or in the ice cream parlors, alcohol is not subject to mandatory labeling.[4]

Even in restaurants, bars and canteens alcohol as an ingredient is not subject to mandatory labeling. [5]

DELICARDO Foodcards

Alcohol can appear in various forms or be present in various dishes. Here, the Food DELICARDO Card is a great help. Avoid long explanations by giving a DELICARDO Foodcard, also known as restaurant allergy cards, chef cards or food allergy and intolerance cards, to the waiter or directly to the cook as a precise indication of what should not appear in your meal. It may also serve as a little reminder of where alcohol can be hidden in foods. DELICARDO Foodcards make sticking to a diet easier and have been recognized by the European Center for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) as a product that can help give back quality of life despite allergies.

Standard low alcohol free diet DELICARDO Foodcards can be found here (coming soon)

To create a personalised alcohol free diet DELICARDO Foodcard click here

More Resources

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements by Country
http://www.icap.org/Table/AlcoholBeverageLabeling

Alcohol Allergies and Intolerances at About.com
http://foodallergies.about.com/od/livingwithfoodallergies/a/alcohol.htm

Food Reactions
http://www.foodreactions.org/intolerance/alcohol/index.html

[1] http://www.krebsgesellschaft.de/alkohol_moderaterkonsum,1065.html; http://www.dge.de/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=98
[2] http://www.lebensmittelallergie.info/index.php?topic=1752.0
[3] http://dge-sachsen.de/site-assistent/cms-admin/user/file_transfer/Alkohol_in_LM_-_erwuenscht,_deklariert,_versteckt.pdf
[4] http://www.landwirtschaft-mlr.baden-wuerttemberg.de/servlet/PB//show/1204091/ern_kennzeichnung%20lbm.pdf; http://www.rohde-berlin.com/Alk/lebensmittel1.htm
[5] http://www.landwirtschaft-mlr.baden-wuerttemberg.de/servlet/PB//show/1204091/ern_kennzeichnung%20lbm.pdf