Can people with diabetes take alcohol?

 

People with diabetes can have a moderate amount of  alcohol. Research has shown that the risk of heart diseases (which is usually increased in people with diabetes) can be reduced by moderate consumption of alcohol. If you have any questions about whether alcohol is safe for you, check with your doctor. People with diabetes should follow the same guidelines as those without diabetes if they choose to drink:

• Women should have no more than 1 drink per day.
• Men should have no more than 2 drinks per day.

*One drink is equal to a 12 oz beer, 5 oz glass of wine, 1 oz of alcoholic herbal drink (alomo bitters)  or 1 ½ oz distilled spirits (vodka, whiskey, gin, etc.).

Here are some tips

If you have diabetes, practice caution when drinking. Never drink on an empty stomach or when your blood glucose level is low. If you choose to drink, follow the guidelines above and have it with food. This is especially important for those on insulin and diabetes pills such as sulfonylurea and meglitinides (Prandin), which lower blood glucose by making more insulin.

• Do not omit food from your regular meal plan and replace it with alcohol. (If you use carbohydrate counting to plan meals, do not count alcohol in your plan as a carbohydrate choice.)
• Sip your drink slowly to savor it and make it last.
• Have a zero calorie beverage by your side to keep yourself hydrated like water, diet soda or iced tea.
• For mixed drinks, choose calorie-free drink mixers like diet soda, club soda, diet tonic water or water.
• Do not drive or plan to drive for several hours after you drink alcohol.

Alcohol can cause hypoglycemia shortly after drinking and for up to 24 hours after drinking. If you are going to drink alcohol, check your blood glucose before you drink while you drink and for up to 24 hours. You should also check your blood glucose before you go to bed to make sure it is at a safe level – between 100 and 140 mg/dL. If your blood glucose is low, eat something to raise it.

Takeaways

• If you choose to drink alcohol, follow the guidelines above and have it with food. Talk with your health care team about whether alcohol is safe for you.
• If you drink alcohol at least several times a week, make sure your doctor knows this before he/she prescribes a diabetes pill.
• Drink only when and if blood glucose is under control. Test blood glucose (if prescribed) to help you decide if you should drink.
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READ: symptoms of diabetes

see:  diabetes and heart disease