Dry red wine or distilled spirits actually “lower” my blood sugar.
Yeah, only cocktail drinks, or eating a lot of carbs before alcohol would make someone very high. The alcohol itself lowers blood sugar. Alcohol is not pure glucose. Wine, distilled drinks, and light colored beers are either very low in carbs, or have none at all. Beer has but a moderate amount of carbs, and mostly if it’s dark colored.
Congratulations, Christalyn! I know you cut out soda due to necessity from your medical problems, but you will be so much better for it! When I stopped eating sugar due to my eating disorder 16 years ago, everyone wanted to tell me about their favorite artificial sweeteners. What I found was it all tasted terrible (I know there are better ones today) and it made me crave " the real thing" so I just didn’t bother. Before my diabetes diagnosis I used to drink Crystal Geyser juice squeeze (soda plus fruit juice, no artifical OR real sugar). They are really good but I can’t drink them now. I drink water or herbal iced tea or dark beer (yes, I count it as 14 carbs and can only have it with a lower carb meal) or red wine (no effect on blood sugar). And…I couldn’t live without my cappuchino! I have given up way too much already, that one isn’t going away anytime soon. I have one in the morning and sometimes one in the afternoon. I have problems with acid reflux too which always combines with arrhythmia (palpitations) for me, so I have been trying to cut that afternoon one many of the days. The morning one I usually eat within 1/2 hour so it seems to not attack me as much.
I agree and concur…Alcohol lowers BG unless its got mixers (sugar flavoring etc) in them. A Pina Colada will raise BG, but straight shot of rum will lower it.
Well thank yall for correcting me. The only time I really drink alcohol is when I am watching UFC and I am normally eating the “bar food.” I assume it is the “bar food” that is shooting my BS to the moon. 
So how many spirits have you had this year???
Thank you so much!
Believe me this Diverticulitis is harder to control than the Diabetes right now. With the pain my BS has been on the high side. Basically everything (foodwise) that is good for Diabetes is bad for the Diverticulitis and visa versa. So when I don’t have any attacks I should eat a high fiber diet. When I have my attacks I have to eat a low fiber diet. So I have been sticking to Matzo ball soup as my diet staple for the broth.
I am seeking a 2nd opinion because I haven’t had a week of rest from this pain since April and my Dr. just keeps telling me this is normal…I will get flair ups. This is starting to affect my ability to do my job.
I have cut my sugar and sugar substitute intake. Some of these are intestinal irritants. The major difference I have noticed (with out being too graphic) has been in the restroom. I can’t wait till I get to the point that I don’t crave so much sugar. Basically if I am not craving it I don’t force myself to eat it and look for an alternative.
Thanks Again
no soda for me-- sweetners other than splenda give me headaches. I’ve been drinking powerade zero & vitamin water. found chrystal lite w/splenda but gro store no longer carries it. I put lots of Lemmon slices in my water…and I WISH I had the willpower to give up coffee/tea. Afraid I need a 12 step program for this:)
I thought I couldn’t make the coffee and sweetness break either - but it really surprised me how quickly the desire left once I made the break from sugar substitutes and now I prefer it it with cream only.
I gave up soda a long time ago. The only time I drink it is if I have an upset stomach maybe once every 3 or 4 months. Then I have a 6 oz. glass of ginger ale. I haven’t lost anything by giving up soda. Actually, I’ve gained since there is no need to bolus the extra Insulin for it, pay the price for it plus I do not crave it at all.
The acid reflux I had was so horrible it made me change my mind about coffee and tea. I had been noticing that coffee would upset my stomach in the recent weeks so I switched to tea. Then I discovered that tea is just as acidic and could be promoting the acid reflux.
I am such a mess right now. Food is a strange thing for me because I am not sure of what I can eat. Whats good for one “D” is normally bad for the other “D”.
Gave up soda when dx’d, years ago. I drink one of the Crystal Lights/newer form. I never had the difference in BS levels to watch.
Coffee is my beverage. No sugar, no cream. aH-H-H. Seldom drink water.
But one day I decided to quit my coffee habit: I had the kind of headaches no one would believe. I saw it through to no coffee for 6 weeks! Then, …I went back on my coffee habit!
Real Sangria, 1/4 - 1/2 cup at supper, is my joy. Taken with 3 slices muenster cheese doesn’t do a thing to my BS that I can see.
Now for the diverticulitis, yes, stay off soda & nuts. Find all the bland foods you can to simmer it down. You have my highest sympathies. And coffee doesn’t help when in a flair up. Acid reflux is the absolute horrid.
I only really drink water. I drank diet soda as a kid, but I never liked colas (which was all that was ever available at restaurants) and since then I’ve just fallen out of the habit. But I can’t say if there has been any difference in BG levels since I made the switch so long ago. I can say that my friends are often envious of my small restaurant tabs though.
awesome…it has taken a long time for me to become this way. I still think about sodas but I try to go for the water. I am scared to try the Crystal Light only because it might start up another addiction like I had with Diet Dr. Pepper.
Did you always drink water or did you have a revelation like I did with health issues that made the switch!
That is so true. I still like to eat out and when you tack on the soda and drink it makes your bill sky rocket… Great point!!!
My employer had refrigerators on every floor stocked with free drinks. At one point last year I swittched to caffeine free Diet Coke and my BG number completely leveled out. I have been nice and level ever since. A month ago my employer switched to vending machines and they no longer supply caffeine free diet drinks. Since I stopped drinking soda, I have dropped 11 pounds in 2 weeks. I drink crystal light lemonade at home, and water or decaf tea when out.
I am still having an occasional digestive flare, but I am starting to document my food intake so I can see what exactly is triggering it. It happens mostly after high fat or oil intake, like Chinese food or pizza.
jax
Being a “chemist” I use to work for the coca cola plant. They would let us take coke from the running lines and drink it at will at work. for a while I thought I had coke in my veins. I am a believer in caffiene and sodas were my main source. so living with out it has been hard and I am sleepy most of the time. I hope I drop 11 lbs soon that is awesome.
I am going to purchase crystal light because several people have stated they used it w/o much problems…
thx.
What kind of chemist are you? Sounds interesting.
i mostly just drink water and herb teas. i can definitely tell a difference in my over all feeling. soda - especially diet - seems to make me thirsty! then i need to drink even more water!!! i try and drink 3 liters of water each day! so that doesn’t leave room for much other liquids!!! i still drink one cup of coffee in the morning and sometimes a cup of basil or chamomile tea.
the basil tea definitely gives me better BS readings.
dianna
I am scared to research everything I eat only because I might be stuck eating tree bark. With the other “D” everything is really leading that way. I am considering getting a water service for my house. In los Angeles you can’t drink the tap water…Or at least it is highly advisable that you don’t drink it.
It just seems so weird on one hand not drink sodas since I grew up with them. But on the other hand I know drinking water and maybe a few other drinks will be better…