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Lager!

T

Top Cat

Member
Ok Ok I like a drink (or 10!!) When I was diagnosed I told my nurse I like to go out and drink at weekends as I didn't want to hide anything from her after all she needs all the information she can get to help me control my diabetes. As I drink lager I was devastated when I was diagnosed (T1)thinking my social life would now be non-existant as I would have to stop drinking it. However, she told me to try it out i.e. drink it and test regularly which I do whenever I go out and I have found that it DOESN'T put my BG up much at all!!!! Wey hey!!!!

I also like red wine which I know is less carbs so better for me than lager but just not the same going out and drinking wine all night!! (I save wine for the house!!)

I've seen that much information about lager and read on other diabetes discussion boards coments such as "if you want to kill yourself carry on drinking lager" and "do not, under any circumstances drink lager" just wondered your opinions! Also as I'm now on insulin is it true that I can eat and drink what I like???? Craving a kit kat chunky but daren't!!!!!!!!!!
 
Hi Top Cat,

Like you I also like a drink and mainly confine it to the weekends. You are lucky that the lager does not put your Blood Sugars up as it does contain Carbs - on average I believe about 15-20g per pint - obviously this will vary depending on which brands etc.

I find that I do have to take some fast acting insulin(NovoRapid) to cover the beer as my sugars do increase whilst consuming the lager/bitter/guiness...(well I did say I like a drink). However I do have to be very careful the following day as I am much more sensite to Insulin - normally reduce my Bolus by a couple of units - especially at B/fast.

I am currently experimenting with a low carb diet approach so have tried a couple of low carb brands - unfortunately they are just not as good and majority of pubs just dont stock low carb beer. Also trying to stick just to Red Wine but like you this does not sit well with me when going to the pub - OK for drinking at home though.

Best wishes.

Fletch.
 
fogot to respond to your question re the Kit KAt....as a Type 1 you can bolus for any food/snack so in theory you can eat chocolate /cake etc if that is what you fancy - I would not recommend you make a habit of it though.
 
Fletch, if you absolutely must drink, (I know the feeling), the higher strength lagers such as diat pils are probably your best bet, as they generally contain less residual sugar after fermentation. Do be careful, though; too much alcohol can put you at risk of hypos, and if you stink of booze, people are likely to assume that you're drunk rather than ill. From what I've seen, the symptoms are very similar.
 
Well its nice to know I'm not alone and committing the biggest sin ever by enjoying a drink as a diabetic!!!!

Just having a nice glass of wine..........bliss
 
Check the effects overnight and into the following day. There's a balance between the alcohol shutting down glucose generation in your liver and the effect of the carbs in the beer (wine is cleaner in having fewer carbs)

For me I can handle about a half pint of lager, more than that and the carbs outrun the alcohol, but I'm Type 2. Your insulin will certainly need tweaking.
 
Hi Top Cat,

Im partial to a drink too, which i try and limit to weekends, however i must say it normaly ends in a 'binge' or well over the 'guidance' allowance.....my favourite is dry cider 'Blackthorn, though some may say has more suger than lager does not make any differance in comparison on my levels

When i was first diagnosed (20 years ago) i did not have a problem, i would go out and inveriably return with my sugers at a very good level

For some reason over the years and despite my average blood readings being very well controlled i do find this a lot harder to keep levels down following a night out.

My only advice is to take out your test and also your injections, obviously this will allow you to correct your levels accordingly. Also i always ensure i do my night time injection at the same time as on a normal evening at home.

always test levels before bed and keep yourself hydrated with water.
 
Thanks for replies - I take my testing kit out with me and keep a check every hour. BS levels are same day after as on any other day but I do test more regularly just in case! I know I should stop drinking but is it really harming me if my BS levels don't go up??? (Apart from the obvious binge drinking aspect that is!!)


Only diagnosed since September so it will probably change and I will have to stop drinking me favourite Carling!!!!

That's life I guess!
 
Hi, I am newly diagnosed and I know everyone is different but since I was diagnosed 7 weeks ago I am having my first night out and am panicking about having a drink. How much roughly can I have...I am not an alccy but would like to have a couple at least. So is it advisable to take my kit out with me and check all the time? Also if my blood sugar does go low what do I do?
Thanks :D
 
samcogle, take your meter with you and make sure your friends are aware of your condition and the possibility of hypos. If you can, stick to drinks like white wine spritzers and unsweetened spirits with sugar-free mixers. You're unlikely to suffer a hypo with moderate amounts of alcohol but, if your BG levels do drop significantly, neck a couple of bottles of orange juice/lucozade/Coca Cola ASAP.
 
Hi, I had my night out and did go a little over the top. I had 4 shorts but had a sparkling water in between. My BG never moved from 7.3 so I was happy with that. Still think I will just take the car on nights out in future though.
Sam
 
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