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Beyond all the health and safety concerns about alcohol, if you have diabetes and are on
diabetes medications that lower blood glucose, you need to practice caution. The action
of insulin and some diabetes pills, sulfonylureas and meglitinides (Prandin), is to lower
blood glucose by making more insulin. So, you should not drink when your blood
glucose is low or when your stomach is empty.
lcohol can cause hypoglycemia shortly after drinking and for !" hours after drinking.
So, if you want to drink alcohol, check your blood glucose before you drink and eat either
before or while you drink. #ou should also check your blood glucose before you go to
bed to make sure it is at a safe level $ between %&& and %"& mg'd(. )f your blood glucose
is low, eat something to raise it.
The symptoms of too much alcohol and hypoglycemia can be similar $ sleepiness,
di**iness, and disorientation. #ou do not want anyone to confuse hypoglycemia for
drunkenness, because they might not give you the proper assistance and treatment. The
best way to get the help you need if you are hypoglycemic is to always wear an ).+. that
states ,) have diabetes.,
nother problem with alcohol can be that it may lessen your resolve to stay on track with
healthy eating. -ontemplate this situation. #ou sit at a restaurant and sip a glass of wine
while you peruse the menu. s you slowly rela. your tastebuds might be more easily
tempted to overindulge.
A Few Guidelines
)f you choose to drink alcohol, limit the amount and have it with food. Talk with
your health care team about whether alcohol is safe for you.
/omen should drink % or fewer alcoholic beverages a day (% alcoholic drink
e0uals a %! o* beer, 1 o* glass of wine, or % 2 o* distilled spirits (vodka, whiskey,
gin, etc.).
3en should drink ! or fewer alcoholic drinks a day.
)f you drink alcohol at least several times a week, make sure your doctor knows
this before he'she prescribes a diabetes pill.
More Tips to Sip By
+rink only when and if blood glucose is under control. +o not omit food from
your regular meal plan.
Test blood glucose to help you decide if you should drink.
/ear an ).+. that notes you have diabetes.
Sip a drink slowly to make it last.
4ave a no calorie beverage by your side to 0uench your thirst.
Try wine sprit*ers to decrease the amount of wine in the drink.
5se calorie6free drink mi.ers7 diet soda, club soda, diet tonic water, or water.
+rink alcohol with a snack or meal. Some good snack ideas are pret*els, popcorn,
crackers, fat6free or baked chips, raw vegetables and a low6fat yogurt dip.
8ind a registered dietitian to help you fit alcohol into your food plan.
+o not drive or plan to drive for several hours after you drink alcohol.
What Can I Drink?
(isten
8ood often takes center stage when it comes to diabetes. But don9t forget that the
beverages you drink can also have an effect on your weight and blood glucose:
/e recommend choosing *ero6calorie or very low6calorie drinks. This includes7
/ater
5nsweetened teas
-offee
+iet soda
;ther low6calorie drinks and drink mi.es
#ou can also try flavoring your water with a s0uee*e of lemon or lime <uice for a light,
refreshing drink with some flavor. ll of these drinks provide minimal calories and
carbohydrates.
What to Avoid
void sugary drinks like regular soda, fruit punch, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sweet tea,
and other sugary drinks. These will raise blood glucose and can provide several hundred
calories in <ust one serving: See for yourself7
;ne %!6ounce can of regular soda has about %1& calories and "& grams of
carbohydrate. This is the same amount of carbohydrate in %& teaspoons of sugar:
;ne cup of fruit punch and other sugary fruit drinks have about %&& calories (or
more) and =& grams of carbohydrate.
Tired o Water?
s you can see, you have many other options:
3ost diet drinks (like diet soda or diet tea) have *ero grams of carbohydrate per serving,
so they will not raise blood glucose on their own. These diet drinks are sweetened with
artificial sweeteners instead of added sugars. >emoving the added sugars and replacing
them with artificial sweeteners removes most of the calories and carbohydrates.
;ne good thing about low6calorie drinks and drink mi.es is that they are available in
several flavors. They may be a good alternative to regular lemonade, iced tea, fruit punch,
etc. These drink mi.es are also usually sweetened with low6calorie sweeteners. They are
very low in calories (about 16%& per ?6ounce portion) and have less than 1 grams of
carbohydrate per serving.
Milk and !uice
(ow6fat milk and %&&@ <uice with no sugar added are also healthy drink choices. These
drinks provide more calories and carbohydrates than the other recommended choices, but
they also provide us with important vitamins and minerals. Aust remember to control
portion si*e when you drink them, because the calories and carbohydrates can add up
when you have too much.
-hoose low6fat %@ or skim milk, and make sure that you count it in your meal plan. ;ne
cup of skim milk provides about %! grams of carbohydrate and ?& calories.
)f you choose to drink <uice, be sure the label says it is "##$ %uice with no su&ar added.
Auice provides a lot of carbohydrates in a small portion, so be sure to count it in your
meal plan. 5sually "6B ounces (not even a full cup:) contains %1 grams of carbohydrate
and 1& or more calories.
)f you like to have <uice in the morning but donCt want the carbohydrate from fruit <uice,
try low6sodium vegetable <uice. t <ust 1& calories and %& grams of carbohydrate in %
cup, it is a great alternative.