Some evidence does show that drinking wine may help lower the risk of diabetic retinopathy (eye damage). Drinking is individualized and there’s no universal rule for how to do it safely when you live with diabetes. Talk to your doctor about your drinking habits and they can provide you with tips and can you drink if you have diabetes tricks for how drink in a way that works for you. The same goes for cream liqueurs such as Bailey’s Irish Cream and Kahlua.
Test Your Blood Sugar
When electrolytes are imbalanced—either too low or too high—basic bodily functions can be disrupted. According to the National Institutes of Health, as of October 2022, approximately 34.2 million people are living with diabetes in the United States and another 88 million have prediabetes. Dietitians only recommend sports drinks for endurance athletes, who may exercise strenuously enough to need salt and nutrient replacement.
You can save your life by drinking slowly
Beans, peas and lentils are also very high in fibre and don’t affect your blood glucose levels too much – making them a great swap for processed and red meat and keeping you feeling full. Most of us know that fish is good for us, but oily fish like salmon and mackerel are even better. These are rich in something called omega-3 oil, which helps protect your heart. Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach.
Choose healthier carbohydrates
Dessert wines, such as vermouth, port, and sherry, are also high in carbs. As the name of these drinks implies, people typically serve them after a meal. If you’re making a Bloody Mary, opt for a variety of tomato juice without added salt.
- They are also sometimes fortified with important nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D, both of which play a key role in bone health.
- Some alcoholic drinks also contain carbs, which can impact blood sugar.
- Drinking in moderation and monitoring your blood sugar are wise moves to ensure you won’t experience hypoglycemia.
- Research has found that the fat content of milk has little impact on blood sugar levels.
- So, it’s a good idea to drink in moderation and only when your diabetes and blood sugar levels are well managed.
This way, if an emergency arises, medical personnel (who are trained to look for IDs) will know you have diabetes. It may sound harsh, but it’s advice that any healthcare provider is likely to give. If you feel overwhelmed about your feelings about food and diabetes, we have plenty of information to help you. We also get fluid from the food we eat, especially from fruit and veg. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms along with excessive thirst.
Eating something along with alcohol can help stabilize your blood sugar. Whole, fresh fruit can and should be part of a diabetes-friendly diet, but fruit juice is a different story. It’s low in fiber, so it delivers quick carbohydrates that can also elevate blood sugar. A small 2016 study also found that people who drank diet sodas had increased blood sugar levels and waist circumference. Research has found that the fat content of milk has little impact on blood sugar levels. However, whole milk may actually slow down digestion and absorption, which means it could lower the risk of a quick rise in blood sugar compared to lower fat milks.
If you have type 1 diabetes, carb counting is really important to keep your blood glucose levels steady. This is where you estimate how many carbs are in your meal and match it with how much insulin you need to take. Just one 8.4 oz serving of Red Bull energy drink contains more than 26 g of sugar and 75 mg of caffeine, notes the USDA, and even the sugar-free version has 75 mg of caffeine.
Regular, long-term use of alcohol has been shown to increase insulin resistance. However, the liver can’t do this and metabolize alcohol at the same time. So it will focus on dealing with alcohol first rather than converting glycogen to glucose. Alcohol stimulates your appetite and may affect your judgment, which may cause you to overeat and disrupt your blood sugar control. Alcoholic drinks often have a lot of calories, making it more difficult to lose excess weight. Milk provides important nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D, which can benefit a balanced diet.
At the same time, being dehydrated is a common side effect of diabetes. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or becomes less sensitive to insulin (a condition known as insulin resistance), sugar can build up in the bloodstream. This forces the kidneys to work extra hard and increases the amount of urine produced and how often you need to urinate (pee). Fluid intake is harder to track for people managing diabetes, but fresh fruits and vegetables count toward your daily hydration goals.