Photo Credit: ‘’ by Monkey Business Images licensed under Shutterstock Standard Image Everyone likes to have an occasional alcoholic drink and you don’t need to miss out just because you are on the low FODMAP diet. There are multiple low FODMAP alcohol options to choose from, however you will need to be smart about your drinking to avoid gastrointestinal issues.It is important to understand that alcohol is a gut irritant, which means even if you choose a low FODMAP drink it could be an IBS trigger (Bahls, 2013; Alcohol can cause your stomach to produce more acid than usual, which can cause gastritis, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea (Drink Aware, 2015).Beer is low FODMAP despite being made from wheat and rye, which are high in fructans (Monash University App, 2015). During the manufacturing process the yeast ferment the fructans and converts them into alcohol. Beer does contain gluten so if you suffer from Coeliac disease you will need to choose a gluten free beer instead.

Cider is normally made from apple, pear or berries and the FODMAP content of different ciders is currently untested. During the fermentation process for apple cider the fructose, sucrose, and glucose are converted into alcohol and are normally only present in the cider if they have been added as a sweetener (Williams, 1974). However, it appears that some sugar alcohols (glycerol, hexitol, mannitol and inositol) remain after the fermentation process (Williams, 1974). This means that some ciders could be high FODMAP. Low FODMAP  High FODMAP Red wine Low glycaemic index wine Red wine is low FODMAP at 150ml (1 glass) serve (Monash University App, 2015). This means you can enjoy your glass of pinot noir, cabernet, shiraz, or zinfandel.Sparkling wine is usually a white wine or rose that contains carbon dioxide to make it fizzy (Kallsen, 2012). Champagne is a classic example of a sparkling wine (Kallsen, 2012). According to Monash University it is low FODMAP at a 1 glass serve (Monash University App, 2015).

Sweet wines are also listed as low FODMAP at 1 glass serves (Monash University App, 2015).  The amount of residual sugars in sweet wines range from 35 to 120g per litre (Wine Folly 2015). where to buy good wine in las vegasAccording to Wine Folly, sweet wines can include Muscato, Sweet Rieslings, Gewürztraminer, and Chenin Blanc (Wine Folly, 2014; where to buy large wine cratesWine Folly 2015)It is likely that Monash is referring to fortified wines or sweet dessert wines (like sherry, port and ice wine) by using the name ‘sticky’.   best wine to go with red meatAccording to the NUTTAB nutritional database both port and sherry contain excess fructose, which would make them high FODMAP (NUTTAB, 2010). how late can you buy wine in florida

This aligns with the Monash app which notes that sticky wine contains excess fructose and is high FODMAP (Monash University App, 2015).buy wine online in georgiaAccording to Monash University white wines are low FODMAP and safe to drink in 150ml (1 glass) serves (Monash University App, 2015).wine and beer for weddingDry white wine (Low FODMAP)Dry white wines have less residual sugar than standard white wine. This means dry white wine is considered the safest if you malabsorb fructose (Jacob, 2013). For a wine to be classified as dry it should have less than 4g of sugar per litre (Fraizer, 2015). Types of dry wine include sauvignon blanc, albarino, chardonnay, and muscadet (Fraizer, 2015). According to Monash University dry white wines are low FODMAP and safe in 150ml (1 glass) serves (Monash University App, 2015).Low glycaemic index wine (High FODMAP)According to Monash University wines that have a low glycaemic index can be high in fructose and should be avoided during the elimination phase (Monash University App, 2015).

Several spirits are low FODMAP however you need to be wary of sweetened spirits as these can contain high FODMAP ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, honey, agave syrup and sugar-alcohols.There is good news for those of you who enjoy a gin and tonic. Gin is low FODMAP and safe to consume in 30ml serves (Monash University App, 2015). Just watch out for sneaky FODMAPs in the tonic water.According to Monash rum is high in fructose and should be avoided in the elimination phase (Monash University App, 2015).Vodka is low FODMAP and the safe serving size is 30ml (Monash University App, 2015). For a simple low FODMAP vodka drink, mix 1 part vodka with 2 parts cranberry juice then add ice and a wedge of lime. Make sure you check the cranberry juice doesn’t have any sneaky FODMAPs.If you like whisky on the rocks then you are in luck. Whiskey is low FODMAP and safe for the elimination phase. Monash lists a serving size of 30ml as safe (Monash University App, 2015).Tequila is made from blue agave syrup (Cooks Info, 2015).

Agave syrup is known to be high in fructose. The sugars from the agave stems is fermented and then distilled to produce tequila (Cooks Info, 2015). During the fermentation process the sugars are converted into alcohol and it is possible that any remaining fructose does not make it through the distillation process. However, until Monash tests tequila we will not have a definite answer on its FODMAP content.Just remember that you can indulge in an alcoholic beverage while on the low FODMAP diet. Just remember to choose your beverage wisely, look out for sneaky FODMAPs, and if possible limit yourself to a couple of drinks.Have only one glass of wine or one beer.If you can keep your alcohol consumption to one drink or under, you're probably okay, since most studies don't show increased risks for a single glass. Skip mixed cocktails, since they tend to be loaded with sugar, calories, and carbs, and don't drink on an empty stomach because it can spike blood sugar.If you dread being asked about why you won't eat cake or drink alcohol, you feel like you can't ask the doctor the questions you want answered, or you have an overbearing family member you don't know how to confront, practice how you'll handle the situation next time with a close friend or a counselor playing the other part.

This way you can fine-tune your approach before you have to use it. If you've had a beer, have a healthy snack, too.If you've enjoyed so much as a glass of wine or beer in the hours leading up to your bedtime, do a quick check of your glucose levels. If your blood sugar is low, have a small snack if you need one before crawling under the covers. Alcohol makes it difficult for your body to recover from low blood sugar; having a bite to eat will moderate its effects. Be careful if you're making love after you drink.Alcohol and vigorous sex both lower blood sugar, and combining the two could cause a dangerous low. Be sure to monitor your blood glucose if you're having 'a glass of wine and thou.' How and when do I take my medications?This is critical, and the instructions for you might be different than for somebody else, so pay careful attention, and take notes. Make sure you know if you should take your medication or insulin before or after meals, at night or in the morning, with or without food, etcetera.

Do you need to avoid alcohol? Are there potential interactions with other drugs that you should know about? This information will be in the bag when you pick up your prescription, but the language can be hard to understand, so it doesn't hurt to ask while you're in the office. Can I drink alcohol?If you choose to drink alcohol, the general guideline is no more than one drink a day for an adult woman and a maximum of two drinks per day for an adult man. (One drink is 5 ounces of wine or one 12-ounce beer.) If your doctor has concerns about your kidneys or liver, he may suggest that you abstain from alcohol. Tips for dining out.Alcohol has different effects on people with diabetes than it does on other people. It can cause low blood sugar for one thing. The good news is that light to moderate alcohol intake (a maximum of one serving for women and two for men per day) is associated with a lower risk of dying of heart disease. Follow these guidelines, and a mug of beer or a glass of wine can be part of your dining experience.

Have a glass of wine or beer only if your blood sugar typically falls within your target range.If you check your blood sugar regularly, experts say that it's fine for both men and women to order up to two drinks at dinner. But if your levels are more erratic, take a pass - alcohol could cause you to experience hypoglycemia and will make it more difficult for you to get your blood sugar into your target range. Ask the waiter to serve your cocktail with your meal.Having it before dinner is not a good idea, particularly for those who take insulin or other diabetes medications. Without food in your stomach, your blood sugar levels are likely already low. Drink your alcohol with food - or better yet, at the end of the meal - to lessen your chances of developing hypoglycemia. Decide whether you want wine or dessert.It's easy to forget that beverages contain calories, just as solid foods do. If your blood sugar levels are within a healthy range, it's fine to indulge in a glass of wine with dinner, but you'll need to modify your food intake.