[Jeff in Vermont]

Hi all

First, let me say, I'm not a drinker, and actually don't like alcaholic beverages.

But my wife wants me to ask about wine and how it effects us diabetics.

There have been studies that show a glass of wine is good for you.

I might add, I also don't drink coffee, tea, etc.

My worst drinking vice is soda pop.

Jeff

[LauRa Lu]

Well, Doctors have told me a glass of wine is certainly good for you... especially red. Obviously too much of any alcohol is bad for anybody, but as far as i'm aware one or two glasses of wine every now and then won't do us diabetics any harm.

I'm a big fan of wine I really love a glass of red in the evenings sometimes, but it can lower my blood sugar quite a bit, much more so than other alcoholic drinks which don't seem to affect me. This would vary from person to person though I asume. I usually have to have a small snack of some sort like a cracker or something before bed after i've had wine. Or I take one or two shots less of my fast acting insulin if i'm drinking with a meal.

[CerpinTaxt]

Alcohol is a strange thing, when you drink (enough to feel it) it raises your blood sugar quickly but ends up taking you into a hypoglycemic episode. The best way to deal with it is to either drink with high blood sugar or with food.

[koblenz]

I asked the same question of my Endo the day I first saw him. Of course I am type 1 and it may be a little different for type 2 folks. Here is what he told me.

You can have one glass of wine a day, WITH FOOD, preferrable a MEAL. If it is a special occasion and someone is with you that knows what to do, you can have 2 glasses... but only on occasion. If you want to have more than 2, go ahead and reserve a room at the emergency room and carry the ambulance phone number with you. Seriously, you might be able have more than 2 drinks, but a) it is not good for you, diabetes aside b) the possiblity of a low is much greater c) when you are drunk or even tipsy, you will not be properly equiped to make rational judgements about your care.

No kidding, that is what he told me. He also added that he didn't think one glass a day at dinner time can't hurt, especially if it is something I enjoy. I have followed his advice, and believe me, it is hard. I didn't drink a lot before diagnosis, but I love red wine. I had built up quite a wine collection. I guess the good news it will last much longer in my cellar now! HA!

There have been several studies on the effects of moderate red wine drinking and health. A book on this subject you may be able to find at your library is called "The French Connection". I say library because it is out of print and extremely hard to find to purchase. My mom has a copy and I read hers.

[Harold]

But my wife wants me to ask about wine and how it effects us diabetics.

Simply put like everyone else. What happens when your liver sees alcohol in the blood is that it starts processing the alcohol and stops whatever else it was doing. Which means if it was making or storing glucose it stops doing that. So unlike everyone else, if you are taking a long acting insulin or some of the oral meds you run the risk of going hypo unless you eat enough to cover it. Check for any warnings on the meds you take before partaking. Before insulin was developed a shot of whiskey was often prescribed to stabilize or lower bg's, however sometimes it worked and sometimes it did not.

I might add, I also don't drink coffee, tea, etc.

My worst drinking vice is soda pop.

Are you one of those that drink sodas all day from the time you get up till bedtime? That would be a vice.

[Jeff in Vermont]

Harold

I used to drink diet Dr. Peppers all day (5 or 6).

Now I drink diet decaf soda (1 morning and 1 late afternoon with snack) and 1 or 2 diet Dr. Peppers or Cokes at lunch.

Have to get my caffeine somewhere.

Jeff

[duck]

Can any of you "wine lovers" recommend a good red wine for those of us who want to take advantage of it's heart-healthy effects? Say, $20 and under (if there is such a thing as good red wine in that range)?

[Harold]

Originally Posted by Jeff in Vermont

Harold

Now I drink diet decaf soda (1 morning and 1 late afternoon with snack) and 1 or 2 diet Dr. Peppers or Cokes at lunch.

Have to get my caffeine somewhere.

Jeff

Two to four a day probably won't bother you. Known a few people that drinked 12 to 18 a day and they all seemed to end up with stomach or intestinal problems. I don't drink sodas myself except for a splash in my whiskey to take the edge off. Coffee I drink black and tea unsweetened, but for lunch I have a large can of V8. It helps me feel full and most of my 2 hour post lunch readings are in the 90 to 100 range.

[Harold]

Originally Posted by duck

Can any of you "wine lovers" recommend a good red wine for those of us who want to take advantage of it's heart-healthy effects? Say, $20 and under (if there is such a thing as good red wine in that range)?

Wine is a complicated drink in that it depends more on your taste and if your having it with food, what your eating. Basically deciding if you like a sweet, dry, or something inbetween wine can be a challenge. A cheap way to experiment is try for a sample of the house wine when you eat out, many establishments will gladly give you a two shot glass sample. Then when you decide ask for the type of wine and not the brand. Brand names are okay, but I have found locally brewed low cost wines are usually not only palatable but sometimes really excellent and cheap. Spending a lot of money on a bottle of wine is a waste and can be disapointing. When buying a bottle always check out the ones that are on discount. I am not a big wine drinker, but if I feel like it I ask for a dry wine unless I am eating Kobe and then I have Saki, however Saki is not a red wine.

[HeatherP]

Originally Posted by duck

Can any of you "wine lovers" recommend a good red wine for those of us who want to take advantage of it's heart-healthy effects? Say, $20 and under (if there is such a thing as good red wine in that range)?

My husband likes the BV Coastal Cabernet Savignon. It's around $11 a bottle (sometime less on sale) and is quite drinkable. I don't even like red wine but I think it's quite good. (It's a California wine)

[nickh]

The Joslin Diabetes Center has some good guidelines on how to incorporate alcohol into your diet:

http://www.joslin.org/education/library/walohol.shtml

[koblenz]

Originally Posted by duck

Can any of you "wine lovers" recommend a good red wine for those of us who want to take advantage of it's heart-healthy effects? Say, $20 and under (if there is such a thing as good red wine in that range)?

I LOVE wine and have quite a collection. Harrold is right, wine is very much a matter of taste. Something I love, you may hate. Here is what I do...

Next time you are at the store, look for a sale on a type of wine you think you might like. Then if they have quite a bit in stock, buy one bottle. Take it home, and try it. If it is good, go back and get as much as you want. If you hate it, hey, then you are only out a few bucks. I will do this about twice a month. Have found some good $5 - $9 "everyday drinkers" as I call them. When I find one, I will buy 10 or 12 bottles and then I am good for a while. Some good value's I have found in the last month (but your tastes may vary):

2001 Beringer Founders Estate Cabernet ($6.99 on sale)
2000 Gallo of Sonoma Cabernet ($8.99 on sale)

[duck]

Thanks for all the info, guys! koblenz, I will try that strategy...

A couple buddies of mine are into wines, and they recommended I either try a Port or Cabernet Savignon, and one recommended Merlot (the other said no-way). Anyway, I went to a local wine store and asked the manager for help...He recommended a Merlot and I picked up a Port from a local winery.

I kinda like both, but the Port is sweeter (but stronger) and I'm leaning toward getting another of that. I have also been told to try a "dessert" wine, which I may just to satisfy the old sweet tooth.

I think I will definitely be trying out Koblenz's idea tonight, LOL.

Oh, Harold--I can't drink when I am out--I am a lightweight and would probably get so drunk I'd hit on everyone.