Alcohol as a BG lowering agent

[sunspots]

I ran out of victoza, however yesterday my gp/pharmacist had it back in stock, so fingers crossed

I was really lucky and got some this morning. I'm feeling blessed!

 

[sunspots]

I shall have to cook with the little bottles of red wine I've bought, and ration the accompanying pasta - lots of sauce instead

 

[Oldvatr]

You are allowed to drink the wine, you know. Just use moderation, and not treat it like a medication to reduce sugar levels.

I admit to sometimes using whisky in moderation to do that if I know I have a meal I should have avoided. But compared to my indulgances when at uni, I am now most abstemious. A one finger shot at bedtime seems to do the trick. My grandparents used ot have a nightcap too, so they knew something i didn't.

 

[Pipp]

It might be worth pointing out that it is not such a good idea to have beer as your alcoholic beverage of choice @sunspots . It is not known as ‘liquid bread’ for nothing!

 

[Ricky]

However I do seem to have extended Dawn Phenomenon so my BG rises steadily from about 06:00 to 12:00 and then starts to drop in the afternoon and evening, so it may not be (just) the booze.

I have that problem as well - it was 8.1 this morning!!! Have just had a HbA1C which was 6.3 (45) so I think mine must come down during the day. I take 1 metformin at breakfast butthat is it . Am pretty keto and do aerobic classes every evening

 

[Captain_Sensible]

Is anyone else finding that they can only enjoy anything with carbs if they pair it with an alcoholic drink? I'm struggling to eat anything with even just a few carbs without my BG shooting up (it'll only get worse once I run out of Victoza too). I get carb flu really, really badly so going low carb isn't an option, so I've ended up having to drink more

I really can't believe that you think that having an alcoholic drink to go with carbs is a good idea as a diabetic because it will simply make your blood glucose increase still further- that I do know. I'm a Type 1 on insulin for 62 years and one of the main things the specialist told me on diagnosis back then; was to keep off drinking alcohol at all costs if I wanted to keep control of my diabetes in my life.
I would respectfully suggest you speak with your diabetic doctor?

 

[Sarah51]

Is anyone else finding that they can only enjoy anything with carbs if they pair it with an alcoholic drink? I'm struggling to eat anything with even just a few carbs without my BG shooting up (it'll only get worse once I run out of Victoza too). I get carb flu really, really badly so going low carb isn't an option, so I've ended up having to drink more

I fully understand how you feel.I have had type 1 38. Years this November and I find it more of a struggle to achieve really good blood sugar control .I want the Omnipod pump now if my Consultant allows.Exercise helps but sometimes it makes bo difference to my control.

 

[Sarah51]

I have that problem as well - it was 8.1 this morning!!! Have just had a HbA1C which was 6.3 (45) so I think mine must come down during the day. I take 1 metformin at breakfast butthat is it . Am pretty keto and do aerobic classes every evening

I think really good control ! I wish I was where you are

 

[Oldvatr]

I really can't believe that you think that having an alcoholic drink to go with carbs is a good idea as a diabetic because it will simply make your blood glucose increase still further- that I do know. I'm a Type 1 on insulin for 62 years and one of the main things the specialist told me on diagnosis back then; was to keep off drinking alcohol at all costs if I wanted to keep control of my diabetes in my life.
I would respectfully suggest you speak with your diabetic doctor?

The alcohol content of the drink does not increase blood glucose levels. However many drinks such as beers contain significant carbohydrate content that does end up in the blood as glucose. Spirits in general do not increase bgl unless mixed with other carby chasers or juices.

However, as pointed out by others in this thread, using alcohol as part of a control regime is not really a sound strategy especially in the longer term. It may not put mmol on your readings, but it will put inches on your waist and (on one hand) pounds on your weight, but pounds leaving your pocket.

 

[KennyA]

I really can't believe that you think that having an alcoholic drink to go with carbs is a good idea as a diabetic because it will simply make your blood glucose increase still further- that I do know. I'm a Type 1 on insulin for 62 years and one of the main things the specialist told me on diagnosis back then; was to keep off drinking alcohol at all costs if I wanted to keep control of my diabetes in my life.
I would respectfully suggest you speak with your diabetic doctor?

The evidence is the other way. I have no doubt that's what you were told but the effect of alcohol (put simply) is to stop the liver topping up glucose levels, so they tend to fall. That leads to a risk of hypo for some people and perhaps your doctor was concerned to prevent that.

 

[jkortee]

I would advise that you do fruit fasting for a few weeks.

 

[Oldvatr]

I would advise that you do fruit fasting for a few weeks.

The OP is Type 2, and a fruit only diet is probably not a good solution. If talking berries then that may help, but most fruits duing summer are ripe, and by definition the starch content has converted into glucose / sucrose rather than fructose. Also fructose tends to get stored in the liver and pancreas as trig fat instead of glucose, and is strongly associated with the onset of NAFLD if excessive intake is not used up by exercise. Certainly tropical fruits are contraindicated for T2D.

 

[tioca]

To the OP, yes, alcohol most definitely lowers my BG, and does not appear to just be a delaying factor. At least according to my Libre sensor. A glass of wine before a meal does help reduce any rise in BG from the meal.

Of course we all differ (to deny that is madness), but you and I seem to be in the same camp here.

Wine is seen, in general, to be good for health (again, we all differ and I wouldn't say that to addicts) so I'm happy to have wine before my meal.

eta, we can only go by our own evidence and experience. We know that dietary advice in the UK has been exceptionally poor, with their emphasis on the Eatwell Plate and so on - which has been influenced by "nutritional science" research carried out by powerful and wealthy religious groups in the USA. Ditto dietary advice on alcohol has been influenced by the same groups, which are anti-meat and anti-alcohol. Do what feels best for you. Your evidence counts as much or more than the so-called "experts" with whatever agenda they're pushing.

 

[David Paul]

Is anyone else finding that they can only enjoy anything with carbs if they pair it with an alcoholic drink? I'm struggling to eat anything with even just a few carbs without my BG shooting up (it'll only get worse once I run out of Victoza too). I get carb flu really, really badly so going low carb isn't an option, so I've ended up having to drink more

Hi there. I found your dilemma interesting as it outlines my own experience. The way I have been combating this is as follows:
Breakfast:- Hamlyns Oatmeal 3 ounces strictly made with water & sea salt coarse (I eat with 100ml whole milk; one slice of toast with a little butter, 5g of British regional set honey & 25-30g of cheese; & black coffee with no sugar or milk.

Lunch:- following the food combination of breakfast consisting of the 3 food groups of protein, fat & carbohydrates, I aim for 40-50% protein, 30% fat & 15-25% carbohydrates.

Dinner:- I aim at eliminating carbohydrates from this meal altogether at least twice a week. When I do allow carbs, I go for this ratio: protein 50-60%; fat 30%; carbs 10-15%.
I always try to consume proteins first with lunch & dinner meals before introducing carbs. Also, I find alcohol extremely effective in helping to reduce blood sugar; however, timing of alcohol is vital: never on an empty stomach! I make a point of eating food, especially protein first, for at least five minutes before introducing any alcohol. I love chicken satay with egg fried rice & a nice cold 140th anniversary Henry Weston vintage cider with this.
Post-meal I enjoy one bottle of Guinness or one bottle of McEwen's Champion Beer.
In order to pace the cider & beer, I use a pub half pint glass in order to go slow between the hours of 18:00 & 22:00.
I also use a spread sheet to record all alcohol unit consumption over the seven day period in order to keep a cap on weekly unit consumption: this is vital in order to maintain control.
Kind regards,
David Paul.

 

[Antje77]

I really can't believe that you think that having an alcoholic drink to go with carbs is a good idea as a diabetic because it will simply make your blood glucose increase still further- that I do know. I'm a Type 1 on insulin for 62 years and one of the main things the specialist told me on diagnosis back then; was to keep off drinking alcohol at all costs if I wanted to keep control of my diabetes in my life.
I would respectfully suggest you speak with your diabetic doctor?

My experience as a T1 (for 7 years only) is very different.
I like my drinks, and drink more than is considered healthy, but my diabetes is very stable with healthy numbers.

 

[KennyA]

Hi there. I found your dilemma interesting as it outlines my own experience. The way I have been combating this is as follows:
Breakfast:- Hamlyns Oatmeal 3 ounces strictly made with water & sea salt coarse (I eat with 100ml whole milk; one slice of toast with a little butter, 5g of British regional set honey & 25-30g of cheese; & black coffee with no sugar or milk.

Lunch:- following the food combination of breakfast consisting of the 3 food groups of protein, fat & carbohydrates, I aim for 40-50% protein, 30% fat & 15-25% carbohydrates.

Dinner:- I aim at eliminating carbohydrates from this meal altogether at least twice a week. When I do allow carbs, I go for this ratio: protein 50-60%; fat 30%; carbs 10-15%.
I always try to consume proteins first with lunch & dinner meals before introducing carbs. Also, I find alcohol extremely effective in helping to reduce blood sugar; however, timing of alcohol is vital: never on an empty stomach! I make a point of eating food, especially protein first, for at least five minutes before introducing any alcohol. I love chicken satay with egg fried rice & a nice cold 140th anniversary Henry Weston vintage cider with this.
Post-meal I enjoy one bottle of Guinness or one bottle of McEwen's Champion Beer.
In order to pace the cider & beer, I use a pub half pint glass in order to go slow between the hours of 18:00 & 22:00.
I also use a spread sheet to record all alcohol unit consumption over the seven day period in order to keep a cap on weekly unit consumption: this is vital in order to maintain control.
Kind regards,
David Paul.

Hi, and welcome to the forums. That's quite a bit of carb in your diet: I couldn't handle that sort of quantity.

What do your blood glucose levels look like on that?

 

[David Paul]

Hi, and welcome to the forums. That's quite a bit of carb in your diet: I couldn't handle that sort of quantity.

What do your blood glucose levels look like on that?

Hi there. I vary between 7.9 & 10.9 post meal. I have two dogs which keep me active with plenty of good walks! Where I do have to be careful is when I am unwell: my blood glucose fluctuates considerably during these periods which normally runs between 11mml & 12mml.
My Doctor allows me to be 10.9 post meal.
Currently, my HBA1C is: 48. My Dr has told me if I reach 42 she will no longer consider me Diabetic: this, however, is proving to be a very difficult goal to achieve indeed!
I have suffered with Hypos since the age of 13: first ever Hypo happened while skiing the Cairngorms. I have feared & dreaded them ever since; I do my best to always avoid them at all costs: I always carry either a piece of flapjack or chocolate.
I only introduced alcohol (red wine, cider & beer) 1 year ago into my Diabetic Regime after noticing the benefit from having red wine a meal at a restaurant on checking my blood glucose post meal & then the morning fast test. As I had been carrying out various trial testing regarding various foods, I was able to identify which foods worked for me & which ones did not.
Including alcohol has worked for me as I use it very sparingly: however, not everyone’s physiology will tolerate alcohol in their diet.

 

[lovinglife]

Hi there. I found your dilemma interesting as it outlines my own experience. The way I have been combating this is as follows:
Breakfast:- Hamlyns Oatmeal 3 ounces strictly made with water & sea salt coarse (I eat with 100ml whole milk; one slice of toast with a little butter, 5g of British regional set honey & 25-30g of cheese; & black coffee with no sugar or milk.

Lunch:- following the food combination of breakfast consisting of the 3 food groups of protein, fat & carbohydrates, I aim for 40-50% protein, 30% fat & 15-25% carbohydrates.

Dinner:- I aim at eliminating carbohydrates from this meal altogether at least twice a week. When I do allow carbs, I go for this ratio: protein 50-60%; fat 30%; carbs 10-15%.
I always try to consume proteins first with lunch & dinner meals before introducing carbs. Also, I find alcohol extremely effective in helping to reduce blood sugar; however, timing of alcohol is vital: never on an empty stomach! I make a point of eating food, especially protein first, for at least five minutes before introducing any alcohol. I love chicken satay with egg fried rice & a nice cold 140th anniversary Henry Weston vintage cider with this.
Post-meal I enjoy one bottle of Guinness or one bottle of McEwen's Champion Beer.
In order to pace the cider & beer, I use a pub half pint glass in order to go slow between the hours of 18:00 & 22:00.
I also use a spread sheet to record all alcohol unit consumption over the seven day period in order to keep a cap on weekly unit consumption: this is vital in order to maintain control.
Kind regards,
David Paul.

That kind of lifestyle would have my numbers in the stratosphere, even when I was on maximum dose Gliclizide I would have seen constant double numbers.

I’m intrigued to see what blood sugar numbers eating this amount of carbs gives you? What are your before eating and 2 hrs after numbers like? What was your latest Hba1c? Are you on any meds to help you manage your diabetes if you don’t mind me asking.

 

[lovinglife]

Sorry @David Paul, we obviously posted at exactly the same time thanks for the info, for me those numbers would be too high, I like to be under 7 most of the time and can be quite happy in the high 3s, but that’s me personally, you’ve obviously found a way to deal with your diabetes that you’re happy with and can sustain long term.

Like I say for me those numbers are a bit high and it’s believed that damage can occur with sustained numbers over 7.8 so that’s why I aim for under 7, don’t always achieve it though

 

[David Paul]

That kind of lifestyle would have my numbers in the stratosphere, even when I was on maximum dose Gliclizide I would have seen constant double numbers.

I’m intrigued to see what blood sugar numbers eating this amount of carbs gives you? What are your before eating and 2 hrs after numbers like? What was your latest Hba1c? Are you on any meds to help you manage your diabetes if you don’t mind me asking.

When I was first diagnosed, 9 years ago, my Dr wanted to bang me on metformin straightaway; I, however, did not submit to this pressure: I had just been taken off prednisolone after being parked up on it for 5 years. One month later, I was diagnosed with T-2 Diabetes! It took me 5 years to come to terms with being diagnosed Diabetic: I was in complete denial!
Since the age of 13 I have feared hypoglycaemia. When I am on my Diabetic Eating Regime, following to the letter, I have normal range numbers of 4-7mml: however, I invariably end up with daily hypos which, if you have ever experienced, you will know just how horrible they are!
The Meal Regime I have is my own strategy to prevent these hypos: it means I deliberately aim to keep my blood glucose numbers between 7 & 10.9 mml. I shared this my Dr & she agreed as long as I do not exceed 10.9 mml.
I have also had other separate health issues over the last 3 years which have had a major impact on tackling Diabetes: as you it a very complex & very personal Chronic Health condition which is very unique to each individual & their own personality.