Learn about the effects of different types of alcohol on Diabetes, and guidelines on alcohol consumption for Diabetic people.

Drinking alcohol when you are Diabetic will cause your blood sugar to rise.

Plus, alcohol contains a lot of calories. If you drink, do it occasionally and only when your Diabetes and blood sugar level are well-controlled. If you are following a calorie-controlled meal plan, one drink of alcohol should be counted as two fat exchanges.

It is a good idea to check with your doctor to see if drinking alcohol is safe for you.

How alcohol can affect Diabetic people:

1. While moderate amounts of alcohol can cause your blood sugar level to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar level – sometimes causing it to drop into dangerous levels.
2. Beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates and may raise blood sugar.
3. Alcohol stimulates your appetite, which can cause you to overeat and may affect your blood sugar control.
4. Alcohol may also affect your judgment or willpower, causing you to make poor food choices.
5. Alcohol can interfere with the positive effects of oral Diabetes medicines or insulin.
6. Alcohol may increase triglyceride levels.
7. Alcohol may increase blood pressure.
8. Alcohol can cause flushing, nausea, increased heart rate, and slurred speech.
9. These may be confused with or mask the symptoms of low blood sugar.

Alcohol consumption guidelines for Diabetics:

• Do not drink more than two drinks of alcohol in a one-day period if you are a man, or one drink if you are a woman. (Example: one alcoholic drink = 150ml of wine, 44ml “shot” of liquor or 340ml beer).
• Drink alcohol only with food.
• Drink slowly.
• Avoid “sugary” mixed drinks, sweet wines, or cordials.
• Mix liquor with water, club soda, or diet soft drinks.
• Always wear a medical alert piece of jewellery that states you are Diabetic..
• Always control blood sugar levels to prevent Diabetic health complications.

Whatever the occasion you may be planning for, remember to keep the necessary medication you may need to supplement and help control sugar levels, appetite and cravings, close at hand.