Going for a pint ...

Helping_hand_

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I am making progress with my Dad, he is feeling better and prepared to make the dietary changes, although I know if I don't watch him, he will slip up.

Latest dilemma is, his friends have asked him to go to the pub next week. He was a drinker and smoker up to 6 months ago when the doctors told him to stop before surgery. He hasn't started smoking again but I think the alcohol might be a bigger ask.

I know I am not his keeper and I can't tell him not to drink (as a non drinker). He doesn't like wine, he can't really handle spirits anymore, so he was drinking beer.

Is there a 'good' beer for diabetics? Are diet drinks like Diet Coke ?

I want to give him the information and then it's his choice what he does.
 

AndBreathe

Master
Retired Moderator
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11,581
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
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Diet only
I am making progress with my Dad, he is feeling better and prepared to make the dietary changes, although I know if I don't watch him, he will slip up.

Latest dilemma is, his friends have asked him to go to the pub next week. He was a drinker and smoker up to 6 months ago when the doctors told him to stop before surgery. He hasn't started smoking again but I think the alcohol might be a bigger ask.

I know I am not his keeper and I can't tell him not to drink (as a non drinker). He doesn't like wine, he can't really handle spirits anymore, so he was drinking beer.

Is there a 'good' beer for diabetics? Are diet drinks like Diet Coke ?

I want to give him the information and then it's his choice what he does.


Beer probably isn't ideal, but as britishpub suggests, Pilsner is probably about the best of the bunch.

Like most things, there can be differing views on diet drinks. Some are better than others, from a taste perspective, but that all very personal I guess. Some folks are happy to have the sweeteners in the diet drinks, whilst others won't consider it.
 

douglas99

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I reversed my Type 2
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Coors light
One of the lowest carb beers.
Or Marstons Resolution, but you're unlikely to find that in a pub.

A Pilsner is just a lager with hops.
A session beer is too low an alcohol to stop BG rising, a double is too sweet, so the best bitter is a real ale, that has been properly brewed, and has enough alcohol to give your liver something else to fixate on, rather than raising your BG by dumping.
Or better still, get him on a short, like whisky, or a brandy, or a white rum, and a diet mixer as a long drink.
But not a sweetened short, like a dark rum, or Southern Comfort etc.
 
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Mark_1

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Coors light
One of the lowest carb beers.
Or Marstons Resolution, but you're unlikely to find that in a pub.

A Pilsner is just a lager with hops.
A session beer is too low an alcohol to stop BG rising, a double is too sweet, so the best bitter is a real ale, that has been properly brewed, and has enough alcohol to give your liver something else to fixate on, rather than raising your BG by dumping.
Or better still, get him on a short, like whisky, or a brandy, or a white rum, and a diet mixer as a long drink.
But not a sweetened short, like a dark rum, or Southern Comfort etc.

This about covers it all. Good shout with the resolution. I've only ever found resolution in bargain booze and not all of them stock it. Most pubs seem to have coors now. Shorts and a diet mixer would be my best option. Champagne is also low in carbs!
 

Helping_hand_

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47
Thanks everyone, I would rather he didn't drink anything only water until we get things under control but at least I can give him the options. I'm worried is blood sugar was 19.4 just now!
 

douglas99

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I reversed my Type 2
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This about covers it all. Good shout with the resolution. I've only ever found resolution in bargain booze and not all of them stock it. Most pubs seem to have coors now. Shorts and a diet mixer would be my best option. Champagne is also low in carbs!

It depends on the champers.
Some are sweetened.
Brut nature is best,
Doux is bad.
 
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welovedzig

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219
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
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I do not have diabetes
beer is like liquid bread if you look at the ingredients!
 

Daibell

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beer is like liquid bread if you look at the ingredients!
Hi - in what way? Are you possibly confusing calorie content from the alcohol which doesn't raise blood sugar level with calories from carbs which does. Most of the sugar during brewing is converted to alcohol.
 

douglas99

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Hi - in what way? Are you possibly confusing calorie content from the alcohol which doesn't raise blood sugar level with calories from carbs which does. Most of the sugar during brewing is converted to alcohol.

Depends on the brew.
A lot of beers don't ferment out, or add sugars back in, so are high carbs.