Last Updated on December 11, 2024
There’s nothing like enjoying a nice glass of wine or cold beer at the end of the day after work. But there is a lot of confusing information surrounding drinking alcohol and diabetes. Check with your healthcare team first, but typically even with diabetes you can still enjoy a glass of you favorite wine or beer, but it requires a little planning before hand.
So, is it safe for you to drink a beer while watching the game? The answer isn’t easy, and it depends on the situation. The American Diabetes Association recommends that women have only one drink per day and men are allowed to have two drinks per a day (a drink is classified as 6 ounces of alcohol, which is a 12-ounce beer, 5 ounces of an average wine, or one shot of hard liquor).
Each person is different, which will mean alcohol will affect each person’s glucose levels differently. While drinking alcohol is safe for diabetics in most cases, alcohol and diabetes can bring several different health complications if not properly controlled. Moderate drinkers are more likely to experience diabetic ketoacidosis, cardiovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, and eye disease.
Things to Consider Before Indulging
What have you eaten recently? As someone with diabetes, you should never drink alcohol on an empty stomach or by itself. If you’re going to enjoy an alcohol beverage, be sure to drink it with a meal or with a snack. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach will make your glucose levels drop drastically. Even if you can’t eat a meal, eat a few crackers or any snack that have carbohydrates in it to balance out the alcohol.
When was the last time that you’ve checked your glucose levels? It’s always important to closely monitor your sugar levels, but even more so if you’re going to drink alcohol. Checking your glucose levels before and routinely after drinking alcohol will prevent a severe hypoglycemic episode.
Does anyone know about my diabetes? While it’s safe to drink alcohol, there is always the chance something bad could happen. If something tragic were to happen, does anyone know about your diabetes and what to do in an emergency? If you aren’t comfortable telling anyone, wearing your medical I.D. bracelet will provide the information needed.
Tips for Safely Drinking Alcohol
Track
Keep track of how much you drink. Wine glasses, beer bottles, and cans all come in different sizes, and different alcohol percentages can make it more difficult to keep track of how much you’ve drank.
Healthy Alternatives
Find “healthier alternatives” when you’re drinking. Choose light beers or diet sodas when drinking mixed drinks. Choosing light beers and diet sodas will save you hundreds of calories and several grams of each with each drink. Choose a wine spritzer instead of a heavy craft beer or sugary fruit drink.
Sip Slow
Don’t chug your drink. Sip your drink and take the time to enjoy the flavor. Keep track of the time while your drinking to ensure you aren’t drinking too quickly.
Know How You Feel
Focus on how you’re feeling. It’s easy to enjoy your dinner or party while you have a drink, but you should still be aware of the symptoms your body is sending. It can be easy to confuse symptoms of hypoglycemia with effects from the alcohol, but these confused signals could be harmful if not treated.
Check Frequently
Continue to check your glucose frequently levels for 24 hours after your drink. Alcohol will affect your levels for close to one whole day after you have your drink. You should specifically check you blood sugar levels before going to bed.
It is important to drink in moderation when deciding to drink alcohol. It can lead to damage to the liver and kidneys. Smoking and drinking are two questions that are typically asked when you are applying for life insurance as a diabetic. The more you can do to reduce your risk of health complications, the better.
