It’s better to get your essential nutrients by eating a mixture of different foods. This is because some supplements can affect your medications or make some diabetes complications worse, like kidney disease. If you take insulin or other diabetes medications, it’s also not a good idea to drink on an empty stomach.
Can Alcohol Cause Diabetes?
- For most people living with diabetes, sugar-free sodas are safe in moderation.
- The increase in blood sugar levels gives way to hyperglycemia, or too-high blood sugar.
- This is because it can help to lower your blood glucose and reduce your risk of other complications.
- Cutting out free sugars can help you manage your blood glucose levels and help you manage your weight.
Food slows down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. Be sure to eat a meal or snack containing carbohydrates if you are going to drink alcohol. If you notice you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, slurred speech, confusion or feeling sleepy after drinking, you may be experiencing hypoglycemia. Talk with your health care provider to make sure you have a game plan, such as keeping glucose tablets or other quickly absorbed forms of sugar on hand, should this occur. They can recommend a plan that’s tailored to your specific needs.
Limit: 100% Fruit Juice
What’s more, when the liver breaks down alcohol, it converts it to fat, which can contribute to weight gain. Excess weight can contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes, and it can make the condition worse. Sweet drinks like margaritas and mojitos don’t have to be off-limits.
Drink alcohol sensibly
Drinking a 7-ounce glass daily is tied to a 12% lower risk of obesity, one review found. Vitamin Water Refresh is also among the high-sugar hydration drinks, with 27 grams of added sugar and 100 calories in one 20-ounce bottle. Gatorade Fit boasts no added sugar or colors, no artificial sweeteners or flavors and 100% of the recommended daily value of Vitamins A and C. With only 15 calories and 1 gram of naturally occurring sugar, Gatorade Fit provides a more natural alternative to the original one.
Alcohol
You can squeeze some fresh lemon or lime juice into your drink for a refreshing, low calorie kick. According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 62 percent of American adults report drinking alcohol. Because many of the symptoms of hypoglycemia—such as slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion, or difficulty walking—are also symptoms of being drunk, it can be difficult to tell the two apart. And if you often have hypoglycemia unawareness, a condition in which you don’t recognize you’re going low, drinking becomes especially dicey.
- Even for people who don’t have diabetes, drinking too much, too often, can be risky.
- Your best bet is to stick to unsweetened coffee or tea, but if you have to add something, look for low-calorie sweeteners.
- But studies have found that drinking, especially heavy drinking, can increase your risk of having diabetes.
- Toby Smithson, registered dietitian nutritionist, founder, DiabetesEveryDay.com.
Coconut water is another beverage that can help people with can you drink if you have diabetes diabetes hydrate. According to the USDA, one cup of coconut water provides 46 calories, almost 2 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber and 6 grams of sugar (naturally sourced, not added). The fiber in coconut water slows down digestion and prevents sugar spikes. The association between sugar-sweetened soda consumption and developing diabetes is long established. Alcohol can cause blood glucose levels to rise or fall, depending on how much you drink.
These symptoms can be confused with or mask the symptoms of low blood sugar. This can make it difficult to tell if you’ve had too much to drink or if your blood sugar is dropping to dangerously low levels. Alcohol is high in calories, so if you do drink and you’re trying to lose weight, think about cutting back. But spread it out to avoid binge drinking, and go several days a week without alcohol.