How safe is alcohol for diabetes patients?
Well, the answer is YES! Although alcohol consumption is not the best practice as it excessively raises or lowers blood glucose levels. However, drinking only on an occasional basis is often unavoidable.
Part of diabetes management is limiting carbohydrate intake. Since some alcoholic beverages contain high levels of carbohydrates, choosing the suitable type of drinks plays an essential role in blood sugar control. In this article, we listed several good diabetic drinks that people with varying blood sugar levels can enjoy.
What alcoholic drinks can a diabetic have?
Besides the availability of a few good diabetic drinks, there are also some alcoholic beverages that people with diabetes can drink without any restrictions. To answer the question of what alcoholic drinks can a diabetic have, consider the following list:
Low Carb Beers – Opt for lower-carb beers instead of regular beers. Some good choices are Miller Lite, Coors Light, Busch, and Bud Lite.
One good tip: the darker the color of the beer, the higher calorie levels it has.
Low carb cocktails – Like beer, choose a cocktail drink with lower sugar content. Some good choices include Martini, Vodka Soda, and Bloody Mary. Among these options, Martini is the perfect choice for people with diabetes because of its low carb levels of 0.2 grams per serving.
Wine – There is a link between drinking wine moderately and reducing the risk for cardiovascular problems. People with diabetes can take advantage of this connection. Off all types of wines available, red wine, rich in antioxidant properties, is the most favorable for blood sugar control.
Safe Diabetic drinks
After a diabetes diagnosis, your healthcare professional will probably advise you to be cautious in everything your drink or consume. Limiting the number of carbohydrates to take daily is necessary as they highly affect your blood sugar levels.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends the type of diabetic drinks with zero-calorie content or with low-calorie levels. This r is highly effective as it does not cause an abnormal increase in blood glucose.
List of safe non-alcoholic drinks for diabetics
So, what kind of drinks can a diabetic drink? This list contains the recommended beverage choices that people with diabetes can safely consume daily:
- Herbal tea
- Low-fat milk
- Kombucha
- Unsweetened tea
- Vegetable juice
- Water
- Unsweetened coffee
- Green smoothies
- Sugar-free lemonade
If you seek the type of drinks with low sugar content, any of the drinks mentioned above are the most favorable. These choices also contain high fiber content, which is necessary for stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Besides the most recommended diabetic drinks, there are also beverages that people with diabetes should avoid. These include regular soda, energy drinks, and fruit juices. These choices contain a high amount of sugar, which not only increases blood sugar levels but also causes other health complications related to diabetes.
Takeaway
When drinking any beverages and diabetic alcoholic drinks, always choose the one with low sugar or carb levels. Furthermore, follow the basic rule of alcohol consumption – drink moderately and with care. Do not forget to monitor your blood sugar levels after drinking alcohol and other beverages. Additionally, talk with your healthcare professional first before consuming wine.
