Provided it is done in moderation, most people can enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two. The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends asking yourself the three following questions when deciding if alcohol consumption is a good choice for you.

Is my diabetes under control?
Male
Female
Am I free from health problems that alcohol can make worse? (This includes diseases of the pancreas, eyes, liver, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, nerve damage or stroke.)
Yes
No
Do I know how to prevent and treat low blood glucose?
Yes
No

If you answered no to any question, speak to your diabetes educator or health care provider before drinking alcohol. If you answered yes to all of these questions, it is okay for you to drink alcohol in moderation. When you do, keep the following points in mind.

Women should limit alcohol to less than two standard drinks a day, or less than 10 drinks per week.
Men should limit it to less than three standard drinks per day, or less than 15 drinks per week.
These limits for alcohol use apply whether or not you have diabetes.
One standard drink = 13.6 g alcohol
- 360 mL/5% beer
- 45 mL/40% alcohol spirits
- 150 mL/12% alcohol wine.
Sip drinks slowly to make them last.
To avoid gaining weight, choose drinks that are lower in calories such as light beer, or red or white wine.
Drink during meals or have a snack while drinking, to prevent any drop in blood glucose.
Avoid drinks that have large amounts of sugar (and carbohydrate). Use sugar-free rather than sweet mixes.
Alternate one alcoholic drink with a version without alcohol, like soda water or sugar-free pop.

If you use insulin or certain medications, such as a sulfonylurea, your diabetes educator or health care provider may advise against drinking alcohol. This combination can cause low blood glucose that may not appear right away. However, each person is unique, so ask your doctor for guidelines.

Do not mistake the symptoms of low blood glucose for intoxication

Remember, it can be hard to tell the difference between someone who is drunk and someone suffering from a low blood glucose reaction. Your friends and family may think you are tipsy when you are actually experiencing low blood glucose. The following steps will help to minimize your chances of having low blood glucose.

Before drinking alcohol – Eat regular meals, take your medication and check your blood glucose frequently. Always have a treatment for low blood glucose with you like three glucose tablets, ¾ cup regular pop or juice, or six Life Savers®.
While drinking alcohol – Eat carbohydrate-rich foods, and eat extra if you will be doing any physical activities. Always pour your own drinks. (Note: if you are carb-counting, do not take insulin for the carbohydrate content of alcoholic drinks.)
After drinking alcohol – Check your blood glucose before going to bed. Have a snack if it is lower than normal. Set an alarm to wake yourself in the night and early morning to check your blood glucose. A delayed reaction can occur as late as 24 hours after drinking alcohol. As well, be certain to wake up the next day on time for food, medications, or insulin you normally take.

Wear a diabetes identification bracelet. Be sure that at least one person in the room knows your signs and symptoms of low blood glucose and how to treat it. Be aware that glucagon, a treatment for low blood glucose, will not work while alcohol is in the body. This means you must make sure someone knows to call an ambulance if you pass out.

Make smart drink choices

All alcoholic beverages are not created equal! Some choices are wiser than others. Choosing a beverage on taste alone is not the best approach when you need to control blood glucose levels. Take a broader look at the drink’s calorie and carbohydrate content. The table below can be used as a guide to make the best choices. You can clip out and carry this guide in your purse or wallet.

With forethought and care, some people with diabetes can enjoy an alcoholic drink. Talk with your doctor or diabetes care team about whether this is appropriate for you.

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Beverage	Amount	Calories	Carbs (grams)
Regular beer	341 mL/ 12 oz.	147	12
Light beer	341 mL/ 12 oz.	99	5
Non-alcoholic beer	355 mL/ 12 oz.	50 to 80	11 to 17
Low carb beer	341 mL/ 12 oz.	92	3
Distilled spirits (gin, rum, vodka)	45 mL/ 1.5 oz.	98	0
Regular wine	150 mL/ 5 oz.	123 to 127	1 to 4
Dessert wine	150 mL/ 5 oz.	232	23
Non-alcoholic wine	150 mL/ 5 oz.	9	1
Regular wine cooler	355 mL/ 12 oz.	178 to 258	21 to 38
Light wine cooler	330 mL/ 12 oz.	100	1

MIXES
Beverage	Amount	Calories	Carbs (grams)
Sugar free pop	250 mL/ 8 oz.	0	0
Regular pop	250 mL/ 8 oz.	88 to 99	23 to 25
Club soda	250 mL/ 8 oz	0	0
Tonic water	250 mL/ 8 oz	88	23
Orange juice	250 mL/ 8 oz	118	27
Tomato juice	250 mL/ 8 oz	44	11
Tomato and clam juice	250 mL/ 8 oz	123	28
Adapted from CDA Alcohol + Diabetes (Canadian Nutrient File, 2005) Reference: CDA Clinical Practice Guidelines 2013 and CDA Alcohol + Diabetes.

Drinking & Diabetes Do they mix?

Do not mistake the symptoms of low blood glucose for intoxication

Make smart drink choices

Drinking & Diabetes
Do they mix?