Heather’s bi-weekly column on all things plant-based health related - Exclusively in the daily mirror.
Campaigner and food writer Heather mills advises moderating your alcohol intake...
Alcohol is one of the fixed-in-society ways of calming down after a stressful day or celebrating a special occasion. But how do we moderate it and do we know exactly what is in it? Probably not.
I am not trying to get you to stop drinking wine altogether, I just want you to know the facts and inspire you to choose the right wines and drink in moderation so you will feel great.
Did you know many wines are made using fining agents such as blood and bone marrow, casein (milk protein), chitin (fibre from crustacean shells), egg albumen (derived from egg whites), fish oil, gelatin (protein from boiling animal parts) and isinglass (gelatine from fish bladder membranes).
The good news is you can buy some great wines which don’t use this process – just ask if they are vegan. Zizzi restaurants and Greene King pubs, for example, proudly advertise their vegan wines. Even Guinness has stopped using fish guts in its filtration process and is 100% vegan.
It’s a big temptation to reach for a glass of alcohol at the end of the day, but the only way to help moderate your drinking is to eliminate it from the house Monday to Friday and save it for the weekends and special occasions.
One important reminder is to always drink a glass of water or two between each glass of wine. Alcohol dehydrates our bodies and makes us want to grab an extra glass too quickly, creating a domino effect and an unnecessary hangover the next day.
Another top tip is to always have a pot of plant-based milk thistle by the side of your bed. Your liver does all its work at night and this will assist greatly in minimising the stress this particular organ is going through.
I find the best way to break a bad habit is to replace it with a good one, so go to the gym or for a run, or even a leisurely stroll – anything to stop you from reaching for that wine on a
daily basis.
You may roll your eyes but you will love me for it when you’re back in control and feeling amazing.