Newly diagnosed advice wanted for a night out.

[Scarlett91]

I was diagnosed with T1D last week.
I'm handling everything pretty well and getting into the swing of injecting and checking BSL. I'm yet to see a diabetic nurse for a long chat.
My other half turns 30 at the weekend and we are suppose to be going out.
I would usually drink fruit cider or disarano and diet coke - however both of these are going to send my sugar levels sky high. What alcoholic drink can I have that won't affect it too much? I don't intend on drinking too much as I'm not a big drinker but I want to celebrate with him.
Thanks in advance xox

 

[katmcd]

Gin and slimline tonic is my favourite. Red wine doesn't seem to have any effect on me so that's a bonus too. Why don't you have an experiment at home with a couple of drinks to see how you react? If I'm only having a couple (and they aren't super sweet cocktails) I don't bolus at all.

 

[Squire Fulwood]

Any spirit and tonic water. The mixer is the problem since spirits don't have sugar in them but the mixer probably does. Wine does have sugar in it but not a great deal so you may learn to handle that unless, like me, you are a wino.

Diet coke seems to be a problem in some pubs who, not understanding or caring, give you the same coke as everyone else in the belief that you won't notice the difference. With other mixers you can ask for the little bottle so you know that things are fine.

If you tie one on (have a really good night) then remember that one of the symptoms of a hangover is low sugar since the liver is busy sorting out the alcohol and doesn't want to be bothered.

 

[AlexMagd]

Vodka, lime and soda water basically has zero carbs/sugars - and if you're at a place that does Coke Zero or other no-sugar soft drinks that's also an option

You might find this helpful: https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/alcohol

 

[psignathus]

Whilst paying attention to the above regarding diet coke a good drink for the the thirsty drinker is kalimotxo. served in a very large glass with lots of lime and ice....gives a good buzz from the caffeine.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalimotxo

 

[Scarlett91]

Thank you so much for the replies!
I was diagnosed last Monday, had very high blood sugar and ketones in blood. I was on drip infused insulin or what ever you call it and then on the Wednesday it was my OH graduation, I had one disarano and diet coke and my BS was 25.5 that evening, so I don't want it going that high again. Fortunately it slowly coming down.

 

[Turkishmike]

Thank you so much for the replies!
I was diagnosed last Monday, had very high blood sugar and ketones in blood. I was on drip infused insulin or what ever you call it and then on the Wednesday it was my OH graduation, I had one disarano and diet coke and my BS was 25.5 that evening, so I don't want it going that high again. Fortunately it slowly coming down.

Agree with the previous replies - gin and slimline tonic is my choice, but it's almost impossible to get slimline overseas - gin and soda is not too bad substitute. Basically any raw spirit (gin, vodka, brandy, white rum) as a basis should be fine, and add any slimline mixer to it. My recommendation is to ask to see the bottle to check its slimline. Don't trust the push button dispensers used in some bars. Unfortunately, you will have to miss out on cocktails for a while until you get the hang of it all! I've been type 1 for 55 years (and still going strong!) and you might try, say, a Mojito but ask the barman for only one teaspoon of sugar in it - that's about 10 grams so you should be able to adjust to suit - it's a lot less sweet than normal Mojito, but at least you'll live to tell the tale, and you won't find your friends telling you that one cocktail can't do you any harm! Red wine is ok as well. One big piece of advice - getting drunk as a type 1 can be very bad for you (remember you are the one that needs to sort yourself out and drunk with a hypo is really bad news). Anyway, enjoy your partner's birthday - drink sensibly, and if any of your friends are doubtful, accompany them to the bar each time to watch your own drink. Good luck!

 

[Diabeticmum1982]

I was diagnosed with T1D last week.
I'm handling everything pretty well and getting into the swing of injecting and checking BSL. I'm yet to see a diabetic nurse for a long chat.
My other half turns 30 at the weekend and we are suppose to be going out.
I would usually drink fruit cider or disarano and diet coke - however both of these are going to send my sugar levels sky high. What alcoholic drink can I have that won't affect it too much? I don't intend on drinking too much as I'm not a big drinker but I want to celebrate with him.
Thanks in advance xox

Hi scarlett I tend to drink vodka and diet coke when I'm on a night out, but just to remind you that you need to reduce your insulin by a few units for your evening meal if you are going to be drinking alcohol, cos if you don't you could hypo with the alcohol x

 

[Scarlett91]

Agree with the previous replies - gin and slimline tonic is my choice, but it's almost impossible to get slimline overseas - gin and soda is not too bad substitute. Basically any raw spirit (gin, vodka, brandy, white rum) as a basis should be fine, and add any slimline mixer to it. My recommendation is to ask to see the bottle to check its slimline. Don't trust the push button dispensers used in some bars. Unfortunately, you will have to miss out on cocktails for a while until you get the hang of it all! I've been type 1 for 55 years (and still going strong!) and you might try, say, a Mojito but ask the barman for only one teaspoon of sugar in it - that's about 10 grams so you should be able to adjust to suit - it's a lot less sweet than normal Mojito, but at least you'll live to tell the tale, and you won't find your friends telling you that one cocktail can't do you any harm! Red wine is ok as well. One big piece of advice - getting drunk as a type 1 can be very bad for you (remember you are the one that needs to sort yourself out and drunk with a hypo is really bad news). Anyway, enjoy your partner's birthday - drink sensibly, and if any of your friends are doubtful, accompany them to the bar each time to watch your own drink. Good luck!

Thank you so much. I tend not to get drunk anymore, plus I'll be looking after the other half! I'll be fresh as a daisy the morning after.
I don't know too much about type 1 yet, does alcohol cause BS to drop?

 

[Scarlett91]

Hi scarlett I tend to drink vodka and diet coke when I'm on a night out, but just to remind you that you need to reduce your insulin by a few units for your evening meal if you are going to be drinking alcohol, cos if you don't you could hypo with the alcohol x

Thank you, I've never been a vodka drinker but at 26 I don't want to be the boring one. Someone mention tonic water vodka and lime juice, would you say that was a no-go? Xo

 

[Snapsy]

Hi @Scarlett91 , welcome to the forum!

I like gin and slimline tonic BUT I only do that if I can get Schweppes slimline tonic. I've fallen foul of some of the newer artisan brands of tonic - Fevertree slimline tonic, for instance, does contain carbohydrate. I discovered that after I'd ended up higher than expected - I hadn't thought to check at the time, and had made an assumption I shouldn't have done.

Enjoy your night! I'd say you've jolly well earned it.

Love Snapsy

PS Slimline tonic (see above!) and vodka sounds lovely.
PPS Test lots, as alcohol can lower blood sugars so it's a good idea to monitor frequently.

 

[Squire Fulwood]

does alcohol cause BS to drop?

Not directly. It's just that the liver will not provide sugar while it is processing alcohol. This is a hangover problem and not at the time you are drinking it.

 

[col101]

Red wine works for me. I drink vodka and slimline tonic too but check the bottle some posh tonics like fevertree and fentimans put sugar in the slimline version. Also worth being cautious at bed time as basal keeps working but the liver is busy dealing with alcohol so you can run low. I just keep a check through the night occasionally. Most important thing is to enjoy yourself!

 

[Scarlett91]

Hi @Scarlett91 , welcome to the forum!

I like gin and slimline tonic BUT I only do that if I can get Schweppes slimline tonic. I've fallen foul of some of the newer artisan brands of tonic - Fevertree slimline tonic, for instance, does contain carbohydrate. I discovered that after I'd ended up higher than expected - I hadn't thought to check at the time, and had made an assumption I shouldn't have done.

Enjoy your night! I'd say you've jolly well earned it.

Love Snapsy

PS Slimline tonic (see above!) and vodka sounds lovely.
PPS Test lots, as alcohol can lower blood sugars so it's a good idea to monitor frequently.

Hi Snapsy, thank you very much. I will certainly enjoy the evening. Are flavoured gins any good? Like elderflower gin for example? Xo

 

[Lilipod]

Hi Snapsy, thank you very much. I will certainly enjoy the evening. Are flavoured gins any good? Like elderflower gin for example? Xo

Hi just to advise you to stay well away from Ciders. Have gluten free beer be sure not to mix your drinks and watch high sugar cocktails like Pornstar Martinis. Ridiculous sugars. Also make sure you don't drink on an empty stomach enjoy xxx

 

[Lilipod]

Not directly. It's just that the liver will not provide sugar while it is processing alcohol. This is a hangover problem and not at the time you are drinking it.

Yes it. An induce hypos like anything drink in moderation.

 

[ironf15t]

If you choose to go spirit/diet soda mix just figure out which button they press on the pump thingy, and watch for future drinks.

Anytime im out i need to do this like a hawk, and it wouldn't be the first time ive seen them give me regular juice and me having to correct them. On one occasion the barmaid point blank lied to me, which i put her in her place.

 

[Niamhhamilton]

Make sure to regulary check your BSL. Even though most drinks contain sugar, the alcohol can actually pull your sugar levels down later in the evening.

 

[rabecca]

How much doze of insulin are u taking?