You should avoid low sugar (sometimes called ‘diabetic’) beers and cider. Although they contain less sugar than standard, their alcohol content is higher. As little as one pint of a low sugar beer can bring your blood alcohol level above the legal limit.

Low alcohol wines are often higher in sugar than ordinary ones, so if you do choose these, just stick to a glass or two.

Drinks with a high sugar content, eg sweet sherries, sweet wines and most liqueurs should be limited.

Mixer drinks should be ‘diet’ or ‘sugar-free’ such as diet tonic water and diet cola.

Never drink and drive.

High blood glucose levels, even if there are ketones present, will not affect a breathalyser machine.

Reviewed: May 2009