is it ok to drink alcohol if you have type 1 diabetes?

Question

when? how much? what type of drinks? if i do get a low while drinking, is there any way to fix it? how do i prevent the low in the first place?

whiskey has no carbs, and is my usual drink.

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

I didn't read the other answers, so I appoligise if I repeat anything previously mentioned.

Ok, I've had diabetes for 13 yrs. When I was in my teens, my dietician sat me down to have the 'Lets talk about alcohol' thing. Her advice was good, I've always followed it (and rarely suffer hangovers - yey!)

I'm also a whiskey drinker, and I mostly always get a mixer, so that means DIET coke. Remember to ask for diet. My mates all now know to order diet for me too! It will make a difference. This is why:

When drinking alcohol the initial reaction is your blood sugar will go up. However some hours later ie: the next morning, your blood sugar will come down, inducing a hypoglycaemia. And so, before heading home, or sometime before you go to bed have something to eat, a sandwhich or pizza or a kabab or something. Same goes as before you go out. Have some kind of complex carb so that it will soak up the alcohol. NEVER go drinking on an empty stomach - it's dangerous. This will, evidently, reduce the risk of you going hypoglycaemic (and your mates laughing coz they think you're drunk!)

If you fancy something else to drink other than whiskey, theres no reason why not. I'm also a beer drinker, but personally stay away from alcopops because they're soooo sugary! - and taste a bit nasty.

As to how much - I would say stick to the normal limits that everyone else is supposed to stick to (off the top of my head I can't think of what that is, sorry) if you do want to go that bit extra, trying not getting so drunk you lose control, if you can remember to eat without vomiting and find your way home - mores a bonus! hehe

Good luck and HAVE FUN! when you go!

Answer 3

This is a difficult question to answer because there are so many different answers.

People who have diabetes can drink safely as long as they are smart about it. Some alcohol will raise your blood glucose levels almost immediately because they contain so much sugar, some will not. The most important thing to remember is that the end result of drinking alcohol is going to be a drop in glucose levels.

I drink here and there and even if my blood sugar is 180 before bed after having a few drinks I need to have a snack or my glucose will drop overnight. This happened to me last weekend. I went to a wedding, had a few rum and diet cokes, didn't have a snack and woke up at 4am with a blood glucose reading of 38.

If you have concerns you should talk to your doctor and read this article:
http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/alcohol.jsp

Answer 4

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Answer 5

The first thing is to use common sense and discuss it with your doctor. A drink every once in a while is not bad as long as you have no other issues or conflicts to deal with. The alcohol causes your liver to handle it before anything else, so eat something like a portion of chips or nuts to help avoid a low blood glucose before you drink and never drink on an empty stomach.

Answer 6

Personally, I think you're nuts. A good friend of mine (type 1) died before he got to age 30 because he felt as you do. If you don't want to have a slow, miserable, tortuous death, you might want to learn more about taking care of yourself. I'm a type 2 and while I could have an occasional beer, what's the point? It's just going to raise my blood sugar and make me want more eventually killing me. Check these out:

For type I and type II diabetics (and those who are overweight and could potentially become diabetic). Copy and bookmark the webpages I‘ve listed below… they are invaluable for those with diabetes and/or weight problems...

I've found a wonderful book that will help you control your diabetes and minimize or even eliminate the complications. Some folks who became diabetic due to poor diet and obesity are effectively cured by following the advice in this book. I'm a type II (inherited), but it helps all types, especially those who became diabetic due to poor eating habits. It's by an author who has really done his homework, Patrick Quillin, Phd. It's called, "The Diabetes Improvement Program". I have tried his suggestions and found them to be very helpful. I have no complications whatsoever and my blood sugar levels are quite stable. Yes, I still have to take Metformin (Glucophage) daily, but it's the minimum dosage (500mg) and I only have to take it twice a day. I have been off Metformin for as much as a week, but this was with vigorous exercise. Many, what I call, non-hereditary type IIs (those that don't have a close relative who had it) have gotten off medication completely, just with diet, exercise, and supplements. So, in some instances, it most certainly can be 'effectively' cured. Read more about it here:
http://www.diabetesimprovement.com/

The book explains what's going on in our system and what to do about it. It's really easy and inexpensive. It's basically diet, supplements, and exercise. For example, did you know that cinnamon helps blood sugar absorption? It also controls cholesterol and triglycerides. This is according to the USDA:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/fnrb/fnrb0104.htm#pinch

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Remarkable supplement improves circulation and can help prevent neuropathy and macular degeneration:
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Great calorie enlightenment:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/changingshape5.htm

Lots of information on diabetes:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/index.html

Type 1 diabetes info:
http://www.sciencenews.org/pages/sn_arc99/6_26_99/fob2.htm
http://articles.animalconcerns.org/ar-voices/archive/milk_problems.html
http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall/020700puthepancreas.htm

Recommended reading for anyone trying to control weight, especially diabetics:
http://rheumatic.org/insulin.htm

Some psychology behind overeating:
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/weightloss.html

Why the British are healthier than Americans:
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/UKvsUSAdocs.html

Some great health sites with all kinds of general health information:
http://www.chetday.com
http://www.drmcdougall.com
http://phifoundation.org

Answer 7

hi im 30 and had type 1 for 10 yrs, i always eat really well all day and drink rum with diet coke just chek your blood every hour or so untill you get more used to the feeling of hypos but there hard to juge if your a bit tanked always have jelly beans try 3-4 at a time if your hypo and chek your blood sugars every 20min or so untill you are normal again , getting drunk lowers your sugars so eat nibbles while your drinking
cheers kez yes all alchahol has sugar dr recomend light beer or 2 or white wine 1-2 glasses

Answer 8

Shocking New Diabetes Research Revealed - http://Help.DiabetesGoGo.com

Answer 9

eat a fat cheeseburger after

Answer 10

Biggest issue with drinking is that there are carbs in most drinks which will make your sugar high, not low.

Answer 11

Alcohol turns into pure sugar once it enters your body.It is not a good idea at all.It can affect you greatly.Goodluck