For instance, moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of developing diabetes in people who don’t have the condition, particularly women, according to a data analysis published in the September 2015 issue of Diabetes Care. And in people who have type 2 diabetes that is well-controlled, a glass of red wine a day as part of a healthy diet may help improve heart disease risk factors, according to results of a two-year study published in Annals of Internal Medicine in October 2015. However, you need to be thoughtful about including any type of alcohol, even red wine, in your type 2 diabetes management plan. “The most important thing is to make sure you aren’t drinking alcohol on an empty stomach,” says Liz Brouillard, RD, LDN, CDE, nutrition manager at the Boston Medical Center’s Center for Endocrinology, Nutrition, and Weight Management in Massachusetts. She recommends only drinking alcohol with a meal or snack that contains both carbohydrates and protein. That’s because alcohol can lower your blood sugar, creating a risky situation for people with type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of low blood sugar — sleepiness, dizziness, and disorientation — can look like being intoxicated, she says, adding that people who use insulin or other medications that lower blood sugar are at greater risk for hypoglycemia. If signs of hypoglycemia are mistaken for drunkenness, you may not get the help and treatment you need. For added safety and security, tell someone you’re with about your condition. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends wearing a medical ID that lets people know you have diabetes.
Be Cautious With Alcohol
There are other reasons to be cautious if you have type 2 diabetes and drink alcohol. For example, alcohol has calories, especially if you add in mixers like juice or soda. “[Calories] can add up quickly for someone who is trying to watch their weight,” Brouillard says. When you are planning your meals and snacks, alcohol is actually counted as a fat, she notes, because of the calorie-load. This problem can be compounded if drinking alcohol weakens your will to watch what you eat for the rest of the evening. “We recommend that women have no more than one drink [a day], and men have no more than two,” Brouillard says. “One drink,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a serving that contains 14 grams of alcohol. Different types of alcohol have different concentration levels, so the sizes of a single serving of alcoholic beverages vary:
One serving of wine is 5 ounces.One serving of beer is 12 ounces.One serving of malt liquor is 8 ounces.One serving (shot) of liquor, such as rum, gin, or whiskey, is 1.5 ounces.
Tips to Drink Safely
In addition to watching — and counting — your serving size, follow these tips for safer drinking:
Talk to your doctor first. Confirm that drinking alcohol is safe for you and ask what blood sugar levels to look for and how to balance food.
Monitor your blood sugar before as well as after drinking. The ADA advises not drinking alcohol if your blood sugar is out of control.
Be aware of super-sized drinks. Though beer is usually served in a standard-size glass, wine and liquor often get a more generous pour, Brouillard says. Some craft beers can have a higher concentration of alcohol, so you would need to drink less than a typical 12-ounce serving, according to the ADA.
Account for alcohol properly. Alcohol does not replace food in your meal plan. However, do count any snacks you have with your drink along with mixers, such as soda or juice.
Choose sugar-free mixers. Use diet soda or seltzer water when making alcoholic drinks.
Drink water as well. Don’t rely on alcoholic beverages to quench your thirst. Drink a glass of water along with or after each drink.
Have a designated driver. Don’t drink and drive.
Test your blood sugar before bed. Alcohol can have a delayed effect on your blood sugar, and you want to avoid going to bed with low levels, Brouillard says. Blood sugar should be between 100 and 140 mg/dL at bedtime, according to the ADA.
You can still enjoy a drink when you have type 2 diabetes, and a glass of red wine might even be good for you. Just plan ahead so that alcohol fits safely into your diabetes management plan.
