Diabetes and alcohol

6:37 AM |

Diabetes and alcohol: tips for drinking

Enjoying a glass of wine, fruity margarita or icy pint of beer requires a bit of thinking ahead if you have diabetes. Before you enjoy, make sure you have a tasty appetizer or healthy salad to go with your drink. And talk to your doctor about drinking alcohol. The answer to the question whether or not you are allowed depends on your specific circumstances.

How does alcohol affect blood sugar levels?

The way in which alcohol affects your blood sugar level comes down to whether you have eaten and how much and how often you drink. A standard drink contains 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol. This means that a 12 ounce beer (about 5% alcohol) is equivalent to a 5 ounce glass your average table wine (about 12% alcohol) or a shot of liquor such as vodka. Here is all about how much and how often:

1. When you occasionally have a drink with food, alcohol generally has little effect on your blood sugar level. This is the safest way to enjoy alcohol.

2. When you occasionally have a drink without food, alcohol can cause your blood sugar levels to drop to a dangerously low level. You should never drink alcohol on an empty stomach.

3. If you are a regular drinker (3-4 glasses a day), alcohol does not increase your blood sugar level from what you eat. If this describes you, consider talking to your doctor about ways to reduce or stop your alcohol use.

Can you drink alcohol with diabetes?

If you are okay from your doctor, here are some tips to drink by:

1. Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach.

2. Alcohol always drinks with a meal or food.

3. Always test your blood sugar before you drink. If it is low, you should not drink. Eat something to raise your blood sugar level before having an alcoholic beverage.

4. If you have not had alcohol, always check your blood sugar before you go to bed. If it is low, you should eat something before you go to sleep. This will help you during the night to avoid dangerously low blood sugar levels.

5. Be aware that the symptoms of low blood sugar are very much the same as those of drunkenness. You have to make sure that someone with you knows that you have diabetes and can help you. It is also a good idea to have some kind of medical identification jewelry, such as a bracelet or necklace that says you wear diabetes.

6. Do not drink alcohol before, during or immediately after exercise or physical activity.

7. Remember that alcoholic beverages are empty calories, delivering extra calories with little or no nutritional value. If you want to drink alcohol, ask your health care provider for help working alcohol in your meal plan.

8. Limit the amount you drink a drink per day for women and two glasses a day for men.

9. Enjoy your drink to last.

10. If you have a mixed drink, choose mixers that are calorie-free, such as club sodas or light sodas. Avoid fruit juices and sweet syrups.

What are the risks?

Drinking alcohol always carries risks. The risks are even greater if you have diabetes. Take these risks into account when you think about drinking alcohol:

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious disease that can lead to coma and death. Drinking heavily,especially with no food or when it leads to vomiting, can cause DKA.

Heart disease can worsen if you drink more than the recommended amount per day.

- Peripheral neuropathy and nerve damage are more common in people who drink more than the recommended amount per day.

- Diabetic eye disease is more likely to develop if you are a moderate to heavy drinker.

- Medication interactions are a concern with alcohol. Talk to your doctor about all your medicines for drinking alcohol.