Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: groundhog on January 15, 2014, 12:00:26 AM
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Just wondering.....
Many years ago I developed a bad habit of sharing a bottle of red wine every night with oh. Realising this is not good we have tried many times to stop or cut down with some success. I can't say I ever drink more than half bottle even at weekends as I get headache. But ATM my husband drinks nothing mon to fri then indulges at weekend. I struggle however not to have a glass of wine at the end of the day. I am capable of having one glass ( hubby isn't - if he has one he then has another so abstains completely). I convince myself it's ok as it relaxes me, stops me nibbling, and helps me sleep. But deep down I wonder do I have a problem or is this the norm these days. I promise I'm talking about one glass 175ml.
Opinions please :P
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I think you sound like you are completely in control of how much you have. Was it not proven to be beneficial in small amounts, especially red wine?
Eddie.x
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There are many different opinions on this. One glass is supposed to be good for you so I can't see the harm. I often have one glass in the evening.
As its in moderation then I can't see the harm. Sometimes if my anxiety has been bad it's about the only time I feel relaxed.
I think you will get very mixed views on this to be honest, but mine is enjoy your glass.
Honeyb
x
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Women are allowed 21 units a week aren't they, so 1 glass a night falls within that, depending on the strength. You are obviously in control of what you're consuming. It's the folk who don't realise exactly how much they are consuming who have a problem.
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Don't buy wine for 4 weeks and see how much you reach for the glass. If it isn't in sight then you will have to find something else to fill that gap, similar to lighting up a fag. It is better to drink moderately throughout the week rather than binging at weekends!
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Agree with CLKD. :) Check your "need" level, and don't measure yourself (nor let him) against your husband's "need" level.
Indulgence is so much worse than consistent mild intake. Is it not the same with any food?
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Interesting topic. I worry about the cancer risk from alcohol but that's because I have had two friends die from pancreatic cancer in the past eighteen months. Neither of them were heavy drinkers but did drink every day which put them at risk. They were not smokers.
Women are not supposed to drink more than 2-3 units a day "regularly". Regularly means every day of the week. Two units is one 175ml glass of wine (13% strength).
The breast cancer risk bothers me too as I get older. Drinkaware advice here http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-the-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/effects-on-the-body/alcohol-and-women#guidelines
Taz x
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Is it not 14 units a week we are allowed? Men get 21 units I think. I don't think there is anything wrong with one glass of wine a night. Quite a moderate intake I would have thought. Mind you, I don't know how big my wine glasses are! Off to measure now!
Bramble
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One 175ml glass of wine a night each week is fourteen units. We are now allowed between 14 and 21 units a week but two days have to be alcohol free and the lower limit is more acceptable.
Taz x
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I agree with most of what's been said (and going with the lower units limit).
When I find my intake creeping up I have a big cut down. Having a dry January atm because of alcohol consumed from mid Dec until end of 12 day festival! I also find that drinking every night makes me very tired in the day and working/preparing for it becomes difficult.
Also then I try to keep it to weekends but as I don't work Fri or Mon (well I do at home as self-employed but not out working on these days) that makes the weekend long lol!
So yes I would say give up for a month, and start up again with at least 2 alchohol free days as Taz suggests. Maybe have it in a smaller wine glass so you are having less than 175 ml?
All the negative health risks from excess alcohol - breast cancer and other cancers - do bother me too as I get older.
I do enjoy a glass of wine though - looking forward to Feb!!!
Hurdity x
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I can't consume much anyway. Always been a cheap date me. ;D TBH I've always been scared of the effects on some people. But I'm speaking about excessive consumption.
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The "drink aware" website is very good but you might terrify yourself :o
I'm trying to cut down too because it definetely does become habit forming if you're not careful!
Libby
x
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I have never like alcohol and if I have had any I never liked the way it made me feel, or the way it effected the people around me.
A small glass with a meal is all I have ever needed, and even that now makes my face hot, so don't bother.
You don't need it to feel happy and cheerful as far as I am concerned , though a lot of people do need it to relax.
I'd rather have elderberry or purple grape juice it suits me fine.
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I'm with Silverlady. DH goes to the alcohol aisle in the Supermarket, I would NEVER walk down it whilst shopping. The only time I think to buy alcohol is near his birthday and then it's whisky or armianac. I'm a cheap date, water only and occasionally an orange from the carton.
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Strangely enough was watching 24 hours in a&e tonight. One lady was asked how much she drank & she said one glass of wine a day. Doctor said there was no harm in it.
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Yes one glass puts you in the 14 units category which is ok but there should still be two days in any seven which do not contain alcohol. I reckon that a glass a day is fine.
Taz x