Hi everyone I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I am hoping to find a few facts out about diet ... exercise and other things to help with it ....one big question I would like to ask is about alcohol consumption not that I drink heavily but would like a tipple once a week and on holiday as long as it's not going to make me unwell in any way
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Hello
- Thread starter Dave007
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Leadinglights
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With all things alcohol is best in moderation and some is much better than others, Beer and liqueurs are high in carbs whereas red wine and spirits with diet mixers are lower. So worth looking up your favourite tipple and test their effect on your blood glucose.
Getting a monitor will allow you the flexibility of knowing what foods and drinks you can tolerate.
Carbs and Cals is a good guide on carb value of food and drink or look up on the internet.
Getting a monitor will allow you the flexibility of knowing what foods and drinks you can tolerate.
Carbs and Cals is a good guide on carb value of food and drink or look up on the internet.
Leadinglights
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Gin has no carbs and with slimline tonic so should be no problem.
Inka
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1
Welcome @Dave007 🙂 As long as you’re not taking meds that are contraindicated for alcohol and don’t have any other medical issues that alcohol could affect, then alcohol in moderation is fine.
As @rebrascora says, gin is low carb, as it vodka and other similar spirits. Dry wine is another option f you want a longer drink.
As @rebrascora says, gin is low carb, as it vodka and other similar spirits. Dry wine is another option f you want a longer drink.
Weekender
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- Type 2
Hi Dave - I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago and joined this site last night. I also used to really enjoy drinking beer 2 or 3 times a week. 7 days ago I started the 'Newcastle Diet' which is 8 weeks of meal replacement shakes & soups plus one low calorie meal. If you search Prof. Roy Taylor, VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet) you will find lots of info. I bought Your Simple Guide to Reversing Type 2 Diabetes - by Professor Roy Taylor, the pocket version of his 'Life Without Diabetes'.
In a nutshell - lose 15kg, strip ectopic fat from your pancreas and your insulin system will reset, reversing diabetes.
So far things have gone very much to plan. I've lost 6kg and my blood sugar and blood pressure are looking good. I am also feeling much more energetic. I felt exhausted all the time - which was why I went to the GP.
The meal replacement approach makes it very simple to follow and safe (nutrients etc are included). After the first 3 days I stopped feeling hungry - in fact my wife has to remind me to drink my shakes.
I'm tracking my blood sugar and pressure and my weight.
This rapid loss will plateau, but as Prof. Roy Taylor states, this is really motivating.
I have resigned myself to a life without beer - possibly move to G&T.
No alcohol is allowed on the Newcastle diet (it's very caloric)
I was reading research (unrelated) that stated if you don't drink for 30 your alcohol tolerance resets. As a 10 pint a night man, this can only be a good thing, and I see it as an added bonus.
I'm find not drinking harder than not eating, but it will be worth it.
Best of luck
Weekender
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
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Hope you find a way to enjoy alcohol in moderation without upsetting your BG levels.
As @Leadinglights suggested, getting hold of a BG meter allows you to check how your body is reacting to different foods (and drinks). You can check immediately before, and again 2hrs later, and ideally would be looking for a rise of 2-3mmol/L or less.
Some GPs are reluctant to prescribe BG meters unless people are on medication which can cause hypoglycaemia. If you would like to try this approach, and need to self-fund, the important thing it choosing a monitor which is reliable and which has affordable strip costs (some meters require strips that can cost upwards of £25 for a pot of 50).
Many members here recommend the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂
As @Leadinglights suggested, getting hold of a BG meter allows you to check how your body is reacting to different foods (and drinks). You can check immediately before, and again 2hrs later, and ideally would be looking for a rise of 2-3mmol/L or less.
Some GPs are reluctant to prescribe BG meters unless people are on medication which can cause hypoglycaemia. If you would like to try this approach, and need to self-fund, the important thing it choosing a monitor which is reliable and which has affordable strip costs (some meters require strips that can cost upwards of £25 for a pot of 50).
Many members here recommend the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂
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