[homeschoolmom]

I don't really understand how alcohol affects blood sugar. I know that it will delay the insulin response, but for how long? Is that a good thing, or does it just make my liver work harder than it should? If I'm going to eat a meal with a lot of carbs, should I drink the wine with it?

[BrianSCohen]

I really can't recommend alcohol as a cure for carbs. Some low carb alcohol may modestly reduce your blood sugar. Alcohol will blunt a liver dump. I find that drinking a glass or so of red wine at bed keeps my liver so busy getting rid of the alcohol overnight that my liver never gets around to dumping glucose in the morning to give me my normal dawn phenomenon. YMMV

[matingara]

yes YMMV.

since diagnosis a year ago, i have spent long periods drinking absolutely no alcohol and the rest of the time drinking a couple of glasses of red wine in the evening.

my diet has remained unchanged in these periods.

i have not noticed any marked changes to my blood glucose from the wine-free times to the wine-included times.



-- Joel.

[xMenace]

Originally Posted by homeschoolmom

I don't really understand how alcohol affects blood sugar. I know that it will delay the insulin response, but for how long?

The carbs will raise your BGs. Then while your liver cleanses the alcohol from your system, it stops releasing glucose.

There's various techniques to treat this. I do a temp basal of 50% one hour for each ounce of alcohol I've had plus one hour. If I have five beers I'll bolus for the 75g of carbs. When I'm done, I'll set the temp basal for six hours.

[HelenM]

most red wines are carb free.
I drink wine with dinner, and if I go out to lunch. In a country where its cheaper than diet coke or bottled water, thats entirely normal!
I don't really think it has much effect when taken (in moderation) with a meal since your liver wouldn't normally be releasing glucose when the glucose from your food was there. I believe that 1 unit of alcohol will keep the liver 'occupied' for an hour, so a .75lt bottle would be 9 hours. (I haven't checked this its just memory and I'm getting older!)
I think the best way to find out is to drink a glass and monitor the effect.

[Lizzie G]

i mainly drink white wine (in large quantities at times LOL!) and as it has negligible carb content. i find it basically has a neutral effect on blood sugar at the time but it is during the night following drinking that your liver can be pre-occupied with dealing with the alcohol and release less glucose hence lowering the blood sugar. i deal with this by taking less of my supplemental overnight insulin (this is only necessary if i drink a lot, anything up to half a bottle of wine and im fine)

beer is a different story for me. i bolus for the carbs but normally need to snack later on so i dont go too low.

it seems that everyone reacts slightly differently to alcohol, but the good news is, its all manageable you just need to know how your body responds. one exception though, if you are type 2 and diet controlled you are way better to avoid beers, which can be quite carb heavy....in my opinion.

[GeishaGirl]

I know that the only alcohol I drink (mead and smirnoff) has the capacity to drastically lower my sugar. OTOH, I don't drink that much

I was out at a Renne Faire with friends and DH about 3 weeks after diagnosis, and my friend got some mead. I never tried it, and made the mistake of telling the girl behind the counter. They have this whole ritual if you're a "mead virgin" where you pretty much chug 2 shotglasses full, then they give you another 2 for free So, completely forgetting I was a diabatic, I consumed 4 shotglasses in about 30 minutes.

Yeah. Sugar went from 180 to low 60's. But I had a great time that day!

I may try having a glass of mead at night before bed, and seeing if it can help with that dawn phen. like Brian talked about. Plus maybe I'll actually sleep better :P

[art]

Have the wine. It's good for you.
Have a cocktail before dinner. That's good for you.
Carbs? What carbs.

Art

[catatonic]

Alcohol does typically bring BS down. No sense questioning it IMO - just enjoy your drink!

That said, I think it's too bad that we can't spend a night eating dessert and chugging the vodka to come out even

[Mich]

I've had one or two glasses of wine or cocktails nearly every night for years. Relaxing together after work with an aperatif is a ritual in our house. Testing and testing is the way to know how it affects you.

I generally prefer wine, but for those who would like a cocktail, be creative with the sugar-free mixers. Tonic Water, Crystal light , Fresca, Diet Coke, V-8 juice (but you have to count carbs) and diet Cranberry Juice all make excellent mixers. Combined with Rum, Gin, Vodka or Whiskey, they make a cocktail with little or no carbs.

In my humble opinion, all things in moderation. Well, most of the time, anyway...

Mich

[Carwy]

I found this on the web. Do not know if it will help or not. It gives cals., carbs. and fat in different alcohol drinks and wine.
Cocktails and calories
When you do drink please don't drive. Play it safe and smart.

[JadeMonkey]

Originally Posted by Mich

I generally prefer wine, but for those who would like a cocktail, be creative with the sugar-free mixers. Tonic Water, Crystal light , Fresca, Diet Coke, V-8 juice (but you have to count carbs) and diet Cranberry Juice all make excellent mixers. Combined with Rum, Gin, Vodka or Whiskey, they make a cocktail with little or no carbs.

Just make sure you're getting the diet tonic, as regular tonic water has a good bit of added sugar. I like mine in equal parts with some Hendrick's or Bombay Sapphire in a pint glass.

Fresca is a ridiculously good mixer on it's own as well as an excellent replacement for sugar laden sour mix. Try a Frescaretto, Fresca and Amaretto. Almost everyone loves that drink.