h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

My son was seven when he was diagnosed as IDDM and after a rough first couple of weeks getting used to three injections a day his mates now think he's very cool with his "James Bond" kit : his syringe looks like a pen and his blood sugar meter could pass for the latest MP3 portable. Achieving good health is something that a lot of people struggle with these days, diabetic or no and the healthy diet that our son has to follow is just about what all of us should be eating. Given the choice we'd rather he didn't have it of course, but with the increased incentive to follow a healthy lifestyle everyone in the family is probably significantly healthier as a result. The scientists have until he discovers beer to develop a cure.

Believe me, they've got to work a little faster than that...! Beer is good, diabetic or not...!

You sound like my parents, I must confess, although since I've moved away from home the incentive to a healthy lifestyle as a consequence of looking after me has dissipated somewhat...

Yeah, I've got fat parents too. While keeping a diabetic child in the house is probably one of the more extreme diet plans, anyone with a new diabetic around should know that there is no such thing as a special diabetic diet (it's basically the same as is recommended for all). Can't think of anything comforting to say about the removal of spontaneity from our lives though which will become more of an issue as the beer years approach.

Just a quick remark and warning regarding alcohol and Diabetes. I am type II (non insulin dependent)and am on a medication, Glucophage, instead. Glucophage can interact with alcohol and bring on Lactic Acidosis, which will drop you in your tracks like a train. The ironic thing is that some alcohols don't raise your bloodsugar significantly, so if you take a different medication you might be able to get away with a glass of wine now and then. However Glucophage seems to be one of the better ones out there. It does not tend to cause hypoglycemia like Glucotrol for instance.
Hmmm....booze...life....booze...life. You be the judge!

A short remark to the beer, margarita, jaegermeister with diabetes issue. The problem with diabetes (IDDM) and alcohol is, that you blood sugar level drops !!! after drinking. So you get hammered twice, because of the liquor and of the hypo.

Yeah, but because of the alcoholic intoxication, the problem with the hypo usually only becomes truly apparent the next day, when - to top it off - as well as being low you're also hung-over and in a really bad mood because you did such stupid things the night before. Was it the alcohol, or the hypo? Nobody knows...!

I still like drinking, though - alcohol/life? I didn't think you could really have one without the other!

Are you saying the Meaning of Life is alcohol? I see a rewrite in someone's future

Perhaps it is my age showing but I was not a drinker BEFORE I was diagnosed, so I hardly am missing it. It is basically that once in a while I suddenly want a gin and tonic and can't have it. Oh well, life does go on, which is the important part, right?

There's absolutely no good reason I can think of to not have a G & T. Slimline tonic is just as good and doesn't contain the same carbohydrates of a regular tonic. Just the one will have no adverse affect that I know of.