Mindful Drinking: Cutting Back with Mocktails & NA Drinks

On Health with Houston Methodist

Americans are drinking far less alcohol than they have in the past, despite an uptick in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift in attitudes — almost 9 in 10 U.S. adults say alcohol use is “very” or “somewhat” harmful, according to a recent Gallup poll — follows research debunking the idea that drinking has any health benefit. The new trend: no- and low-alcohol drinks, known as the “NoLo” movement. NoLo, the fastest-growing part of the adult beverage market, is all about enjoying beverages and preserving their flavor without alcohol. NoLo drinks are becoming more popular among consumers, particularly millennials and Gen-Z, who want to reduce their alcohol intake, whether for health, social or personal reasons. For the sober curious or those simply looking to cut back, this episode explores the wide world of mocktails and NA drinks, and what mindful drinking actually looks like.
Expert: Mag Ayyad, Registered Dietitian
Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber
Notable topics covered:

• The health benefits of drinking less
• Are mocktails and other nonalcoholic drinks simply just our favorite drinks without the booze?
• The ingredients to have on hand to make mocktails
• What to know about nonalcoholic beers and wine – and do they actually contain no alcohol?
• Alcohol-free doesn’t mean calorie-free, and why that’s an issue
• Can you overdo it with nonalcoholic drinks?
• The differences between celebratory mocktails and ones you could enjoy every day
• Drinking mindfully: What should be your drink limit (including NA drinks)?
• “I only drink on the weekends”: Why you may want to reconsider that approach
• How to meet yourself where you are with your drinking but still adapt your habits

If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.