Time has finally caught up.

[beerswiller]

I'm 60 and diagnosed with type 2. I have been having blood tests for a few years but have been just under borderline. My last but one test confirmed I had exceeded the levels of satisfaction and subsequently been prescribed Metformin 500mg 2 per day. I underwent another test last week and the levels had reduced a lot to 45. I am quite a fit bloke who attends the gym three to four times a week and I do put in the effort. My problem is Ale, Real ale, I'm a CAMRA member who has travelled the globe in search of the perfect beer. Now I'm told not to drink, wellat least not what I normally consume.

During a recent brewery visit one of the members asked why am I drinking water with my beer, I explained I have Diabetes, he went on to say he continued to drink beer long after his diagnosis but changed his lifestyle through food. He always ate food on the go like Chips & Fish pies etc, he lost four stone and his diabetes disappeared after three years. He was on three 100 mg Metformin tablets per day then gradually reduced them until one per day.
I thought this is just a one off but since I have mentioned it there have been many more stories like that from many different people.
Cut out bread and potatoes and all that include many carbs and you can still enjoy a few pints at the weekend

 

[Northerner]

Hi beerswiller, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sounds like you are managing well 🙂 As you suggest, making your overall diet more 'diabetes-friendly' can help give you extra leeway to enjoy other things, so if it's real ale you enjoy then I'm sure it's not hardship to substitute extra veg for potatoes! There are other things you might try, like cauliflower mash or rice and 'courgetti spaghetti' - all will help to reduce your carb intake and allow for a pint or two 🙂 The key thing is to discover what your body can happily tolerate, blood sugar-wise, and keep within that. Personally, I find real ale to be a bit too carby for me, but I doubt you would contemplate the alternatives of spirits or cider (which doesn't affect me much).

Moderation is the key 🙂 I'm not sure with how the metformin might react if you overdo the alcohol, but there's the possibility that if you can modify your diet sufficiently then you might be able to stop needing it 🙂

 

[beerswiller]

Thank you for the welcome and reply.
Yes I think diet is the main ingredient to a healthier lifestyle. My Diabetes Nurse was very critical when I suggested even contemplating having a drink or two, she said a big no. I understand the implications surrounding diabetes etc but I do believe she was a little too full on. She was a little more lenient when I told her of Charles and his tale.
I was under the impression Rice was a high Carb produce? Ciders like Strongbow etc are full of sugar but the natural Ciders I believe are fine but again within reason.
I have since cut out Potatoes and enjoy chicken and veg with a bit of gravy on top. I have cut down on Beer by only indulging at weekend, during the week should I fancy adrink I have a Vodka and diet Coke. As yet I have had no reaction to the Metformin. Thank you for reading. Dennis.

 

[Northerner]

I was under the impression Rice was a high Carb produce

Indeed it is, but you can make a version of it from cauliflower, which isn't! 🙂

It's all about balance, Dennis, and you seem to have hit on a compromise that suits you - well done on adapting to the new realities of your situation 🙂

 

[HOBIE]

Welcome Beerswiller 🙂. You sound like your head is in the right direction. I have a friend of mine who was T2, now off the drink & walks the legs off his poor dog. Now off all meds & eating better. I often have a real ale & walk to my local 0.9ml there & 0.9ml back. Get yourself a test meter & see what it does to you. High first off then drop like a stone next morning. Good luck 🙂

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to the forum, Beerswiller. I'm quite partial to real ale, too. Particularly Cambridge Beer Festival when i lived in the city. Cycling a couple of miles each way between home and festival used up a few calories. Especially important the last time I attended, when I knew I'd be leaving a few months later, so I volunteered a few shifts, and earning tokens for 2 pints per shift meant I had to return to a dew sessions when I wasn't volunteereing to use them up. Fortunately only had a couple of days work that week! Sadly still haven't found any new friends who like beer, but have met new friends through running, orienteering etc and there was a barrel of real ale at a party to celebrate volunteer response to floods after Christmas.