CHOOSE YOUR TIPPLE WITH CARE

ALCOHOL is another thing you should view as a treat — after all, you don’t drink it because you are thirsty.

Beer, lager and cider are out if you are watching your blood sugar levels — per pint, they contain up to 18g carbs (which has the equivalent effect on blood sugar levels as 4 ½ tsp of sugar), hence beer bellies.

Wine is a better choice, but keep well within 14 units per week.

The 14 units guideline equates to around six 175ml glasses. Red wine may have slightly more health benefits as it contains more resveratrol, an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.

Being low carb means my alcohol tolerance has dropped; two small glasses of wine are all I can cope with. I occasionally have a glass or two of champagne, which tends to contain relatively little sugar.

When people yearn for a drink it is often because they are craving sugar to wake them up. Instead of reaching for the corkscrew, make a low-carb drink in a wine glass. Try sparkling water with a tablespoon of orange juice and a dash of Angostura bitters, or my own summer favourite: mint, lime, ginger and soda water.

The cravings will pass — try distraction techniques or a herbal tea. Not only will your waistline and blood sugar levels thank you for it, but you’ll soon feel more energetic in the mornings.