Diabetics and Alcohol
Diabetic specialists generally agree that one drink a day is safe for diabetics, never more than two drinks. Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach since it can cause low blood sugar, especially with certain diabetic medications or insulin. Avoid alcohol if you have been exercising or are about to exercise since this may, cause low blood sugar. It is generally a good idea to eat something with carbohydrates when you drink alcohol. This will help reduce the risk of low blood sugars. It is a good idea to check blood sugars before and after drinking the alcohol to ensure no significant change in blood glucose. Alcohol is known to cause low blood sugars many hours after drinking.
One alcoholic drink is considered to be 5oz of wine or 1.5oz of liquor such as whisky or 12oz of beer. Regular beer, sweet wine, and wine coolers have an excess amount of carbohydrates and tend to raise your blood sugar more than light beer, dry wines, and liquor such as whiskey. It is best to drink the alcoholic drink with or close to your meal.
It is a good idea to discuss the amount and type of alcohol that you drink with your Personal Care Physician. Also, let your dietitian know about your alcohol intake so they can advise you on how to modify your diet for the alcohol intake and still try to keep the carbohydrates fairly consistent. Alcohol is empty calories and can contribute to weight gain; just a decreasing number of drinks can help reduce weight. Cooking with alcohol also adds to calories even though some of the alcohol during the cooking process evaporates.
Never drink and drive.
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