Alcohol

[hannahdavies1993]

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just over a month ago now I think but I’m wanting peoples advice on alcohol ? What’s best to drink ? How much etc ? Please thankyou

 

[EllieM]

I've had 40 years experience of T1 and alcohol but there are a few things to be wary of.

1) Most important, hypos. Alcohol can inhibit the liver's production of sugar during a hypo so you want to avoid serious hypos at night because you might not wake up from them.

2) If you're out when hypo then police (and others) can confuse a hypo person for a drunk person. A potentially very bad situation, especially if you're drunk and hypo.

3) If you get very drunk then you may not be able to cope with carb counting etc. The downsides are a potential high in the morning or a potential hypo when drunk. The latter can be serious.

4) Friends don't let their friends drive when drunk. They don't let them get hypo either. Don't drink alone and talk to your friends about hypos.

What and how much to drink? I generally find white dry white and red wine doesn't affect my bg much, and in theory neither would spirits such as whiskey. Port and sweet liquors seem quite carby.
How much? Don't go overboard, particularly at first. Make sure you test before you go to bed and don't go to bed low (drunk and low is worse than sober and low, and neither is good).

Good luck.

(ps and yes I've broken many of those rules and am still alive, but you really do need to be careful about hypos.)

 

[becca59]

I was a while after diagnosis before I dared drink again. Then went in gradually. I don’t tend to drink when out (not that I’ve been anywhere to drink out since March) but enjoy wine with a meal. A gin and sugar free tonic at the weekends and the occasional neat whisky. For me beer is no longer an option it just makes my sugars shoot up, which then requires extra insulin. Which I am loath to do if I have been drinking. Anything like cocktails would be an absolute no for me, after 6 years anything sweet I find yucky! I think moderation is the key and don’t go to bed too low if you have had more than the odd glass. As your inhibitions are dulled the desire to eat also takes over, not good for a diabetic.
The thing is we need to live and enjoy ourselves. Go in gradually and see how it goes.

 

[ert]

I drink a glass of red wine a few times a week with dinner. I don't need to dose for it, so it feels like a treat.

 

[Stefp]

Wow only a month - I hope you are doing ok. I can remember being diagnosed was both scary and a relief!
Everyone’s experiences with everything are different with diabetes, including diabetes, and can change almost daily - you have to find what works for you and your lifestyle and then modify as your body throws you twists and turns. After nearly 30 years with type 1 I find that just when I think I have things worked out they change.
These days I drink a small glass of white wine pretty much everyday as I deserve it! It doesn’t move my blood sugar at all. When I was younger I found that spirits mixed with a diet soft drink of some kinds was fine - just watch hypos as others have said if you drink more than a glass or two and keep things in moderation if you can.

 

[becca59]

I was a while after diagnosis before I dared drink again. Then went in gradually. I don’t tend to drink when out (not that I’ve been anywhere to drink out since March) but enjoy wine with a meal. A gin and sugar free tonic at the weekends and the occasional neat whisky. For me beer is no longer an option it just makes my sugars shoot up, which then requires extra insulin. Which I am loath to do if I have been drinking. Anything like cocktails would be an absolute no for me, after 6 years anything sweet I find yucky! I think moderation is the key and don’t go to bed too low if you have had more than the odd glass. As your inhibitions are dulled the desire to eat also takes over, not good for a diabetic.
The thing is we need to live and enjoy ourselves. Go in gradually and see how it goes.

 

[Richard F]

In terms of carbs, my specialist tells me 1/2 bolus for beer, none for wine or spirits. I always have trouble with night time highs, this was put down to drinking. They're no different to being stone cold sober though.

If you have a skinful be careful, particularly the following morning.