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Yes, you can have beer or hard seltzer if you have diabetes. You need to make good choices and not drink too much. About 46% of people with diabetes drink alcohol. Experts say women should have only one drink a day. Men can have up to two drinks a day. Alcohol changes your blood sugar. Never drink if your stomach is empty. Always check your blood sugar when you drink. Everyone’s body is different, so talk to your doctor before you add beer or seltzer. If you want to make smart choices, the Beer and Hard Seltzer: The Ultimate Diabetes-Friendly Guide can help you enjoy life and stay healthy.
Tip: Pick drinks with less carbs and always have something sweet nearby in case your blood sugar gets too low.
People with diabetes can drink beer or hard seltzer. Pick low-carb drinks and do not drink too much. Always eat food before you drink. This helps stop your blood sugar from getting too low. Look at the nutrition label before you choose a drink. Check for carbs, sugar, calories, and alcohol. Light beers and hard seltzers have less carbs and calories. These are better for blood sugar control. Do not drink high-carb beers like stouts, porters, or craft beers. Stay away from sugary cocktails and mixers too. Check your blood sugar before, during, and after you drink. This helps you stay safe and notice changes early. Women should have only one drink each day. Men should have only two drinks each day. Drink slowly and have water and snacks with your drinks. Talk to your doctor about alcohol and your diabetes medicine. Ask when it is best not to drink.
You may wonder if you can drink alcohol when you have diabetes. The answer is yes, but you need to be careful. Alcohol changes how your body controls blood sugar. When you drink, your liver works on breaking down the alcohol. This means it does not keep your blood sugar steady. Your blood sugar can drop, especially if you do not eat. Sometimes, drinking can also make your blood sugar go up. This happens if you drink a lot or pick drinks with lots of sugar or carbs.
Note: Low blood sugar can look like being drunk. Always check your blood sugar before, while, and after you drink.
There are many drinks to choose from, but some are better for diabetes. This guide helps you pick the best ones. Here are some things to remember:
Look at the carbs and calories in every drink.
Pick drinks with lower alcohol by volume, like light lagers.
Lagers usually have less sugar and fewer carbs than ales, IPAs, porters, or stouts.
Hard seltzer is often gluten-free and low in carbs. Some use stevia to sweeten.
Always read the nutrition label. Craft beers can hide extra sugar and carbs.
Drink with food and drink water to help keep your blood sugar steady.
Let’s look at some common drinks:
Alcoholic Beverage | Typical Serving Size | Approximate Carbohydrate Content | Impact on Blood Sugar for People with Diabetes |
|---|---|---|---|
Regular Beer | 12 oz | ~12.6 g | More carbs mean your blood sugar can go up fast. |
Hard Seltzer | 12 oz | ~2 g | Fewer carbs mean your blood sugar stays steadier. |
Light Beer | 12 oz | ~4.6 g | Not as many carbs as regular beer, but still watch your blood sugar. |
Distilled Spirits | 1.5 oz | 0 g | No carbs, but mixers can add sugar and change your blood sugar. |
The beer and hard seltzer: the ultimate diabetes-friendly guide explains that both drinks can change your blood sugar. Beer has carbs that can make your blood sugar go up for a short time. Alcohol can also make your blood sugar drop, especially if you have not eaten. Hard seltzer has fewer carbs, so it is less likely to raise your blood sugar. But, bubbles in hard seltzer can make alcohol work faster in your body. This means your blood sugar could drop quickly.
Drinking too much, even low-carb drinks, can hurt your blood sugar over time. Heavy drinking can make your body not respond to insulin as well. This makes diabetes harder to control. It can also hurt your nerves and liver. The beer and hard seltzer: the ultimate diabetes-friendly guide says to drink only a little, eat before you drink, and talk to your doctor about what is best for you.
Tip: Light beers and hard seltzers are usually better for your blood sugar. Always check the label and do not drink more than the recommended amount.
When you have diabetes, you need to watch your carbohydrates and sugar in every drink. Carbohydrates can raise your blood sugar quickly. Some beers and hard seltzer have more carbohydrates than others. If you pick a drink with too many carbohydrates, your blood sugar may spike. Hard seltzer usually has fewer carbohydrates than regular beer, so it can fit better into your diet. Always eat before you drink to help keep your blood sugar steady.
You want to choose drinks with 5 grams of carbohydrates or less per serving. Light beers, American-style lagers, and pilsners are good choices. Hard seltzer is another smart pick because it often has about 2 grams of carbohydrates per can. Here’s a quick look at how different drinks compare:
Beverage Type | Typical Carbohydrate Content per Serving |
|---|---|
Hard Seltzer | About 2 grams per 12-ounce can |
Light Beer | Approximately 3-6 grams per 12-ounce serving |
Regular Beer | Around 12.8 grams per 12-ounce serving |
Tip: Hard seltzers and light beers are usually better for diabetes than regular or craft beers.
Always check the label before you drink. Look for the total carbohydrates and sugar per serving. If the label does not show this, check the brand’s website. Pick drinks with zero or low added sugars. Avoid drinks with fruit juice, honey, or syrup, as these add extra carbohydrates. If you see a drink with more than 5 grams of carbohydrates per serving, try something else.
ABV stands for alcohol by volume. It tells you how strong a drink is. Drinks with higher ABV can affect your blood sugar more. Most light beers and hard seltzer have an ABV around 5%. Try to choose drinks with an ABV of 7% or less. This helps you manage your diabetes and avoid big changes in your blood sugar.
Calories matter when you have diabetes. Drinks with more calories can make it harder to manage your weight and blood sugar. Hard seltzer usually has about 99-100 calories per can. Light beer has around 100-110 calories. Regular and craft beers can have much more. Here’s a table to help you compare:
Beverage Type | Serving Size | Typical ABV | Calories (approx.) | Carbohydrates (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hard Seltzer | 12 oz | ~5% | 99 | 2 |
Light Beer | 12 oz | ~4% | 103 | 5 |
Regular Beer | 12 oz | ~5% | 146 | 11 |
Craft Beer | 12 oz | ~6% | 260 | 21 |
Pick drinks with lower ABV and fewer calories. This helps you keep your blood sugar steady and supports your diet. Hard seltzer and light beer are usually the best choices. Avoid craft beers and stouts, which often have more calories and carbohydrates.
When you pick a drink, always check the label for:
Total carbohydrates per serving
Sugar content
Calories
ABV (alcohol by volume)
If you cannot find this info, look it up online. Some brands make it easy to find.
Some drinks hide extra carbohydrates and sugar. Watch out for words like “honey,” “fruit juice,” or “syrup.” These add more carbohydrates. Also, some drinks do not list nutrition facts. If you are not sure, skip that drink.
Words like “light,” “low-carb,” or “natural” sound good, but always check the label. Some drinks use these words for marketing, but still have more carbohydrates than you want. Choose wisely and look for real numbers, not just fancy words.
Remember: You can enjoy a drink with diabetes if you choose wisely. Always check the label, watch your carbohydrates, and stick to your diet plan.
You have a lot of choices when it comes to low carb beer. Many brands now offer beers with 5 grams of carbohydrates or less per 12-ounce serving. Here’s a quick look at some popular options:
Beer Name | Carbohydrates (g) | Calories | ABV (%) | Notes/Flavor Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Budweiser Select 55 | 1.9 | 55 | 2.4 | Lowest calories and carbs, toasted malt aroma |
Corona Premier | 2.6 | 90 | 4.0 | Crisp, refreshing taste |
Michelob Ultra | 2.6 | 95 | 4.2 | Malty, light citrus aroma |
Miller Lite | 3.2 | 96 | 4.2 | Full bodied, bitter aftertaste |
Busch Light | 3.2 | 95 | 4.1 | Classic light beer flavor |
Beck's Premier Light | 3.9 | 64 | 2.3 | Sweet and fruity flavors |
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA | 3.6 | 95 | 4.0 | Great for IPA fans |
Amstel Light Lager | 5.0 | 95 | 3.5 | Barley and hops blend |
Pros:
You can find these beers almost anywhere.
They have fewer carbohydrates and calories than regular beer.
The taste is familiar if you already like beer.
Cons:
Some low carb beer still has more carbohydrates than hard seltzer.
The lower alcohol content might not be for everyone.
Look for beers labeled “light” or “low-carb.”
Always check the nutrition label for carbohydrates (aim for 5g or less per 12oz).
Choose options with lower ABV to help manage your blood sugar.
Hard seltzer is a great pick if you want a drink with very few carbohydrates. Many brands offer low-carb hard seltzer with zero or very low sugar. Here are some top choices:
Brand | Sugar Content | Carbohydrate Content | ABV | Flavor Highlights / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water | 0 grams | 1 gram | 5% | Refreshing combos like cucumber-peach |
White Claw Pure Hard Seltzer | 0 grams | 2 grams | 5% | Plain, versatile for mixing |
Truly Hard Seltzer (Blueberry Acai) | 1 gram | 2 grams | 5% | Mixed berry flavor |
Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer | 0 grams | 1-2 grams | 4.5% | Natural fruit and botanical flavors |
Pros:
Very low in carbohydrates and sugar.
Many hard seltzers are gluten-free.
You get a wide variety of flavors.
Cons:
Some brands use artificial sweeteners.
Flavored varieties may have hidden sugars, so always check the label.
Pick hard seltzers with 2g carbohydrates or less per serving.
Avoid options with added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup.
Look for “no sugar added” or “zero sugar” on the label.
You might want to try other sugar free alcohol options. Distilled spirits and dry wines are good choices if you use them in moderation. Here’s a quick guide:
Beverage Type | Serving Size | Carbohydrates (g) | Sugar Content (g) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey | 1.5 oz (45 mL) | 0 | 0 | Zero carbs per serving; avoid sugary mixers. |
Dry Red Wine | 5 oz (150 mL) | 3.8 | Low | Antioxidants help with diabetes complications. |
Dry White Wine | 5 oz (150 mL) | 3.8 | Low | Similar carb content to red wine. |
Brut Champagne | 5 oz (150 mL) | Low | <1.8 | Very low sugar content. |
Martini | 4 oz (120 mL) | 0.2 | Very low | Made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth. |
Vodka Soda | Variable | 0 | 0 | Zero carbs if mixed with club soda. |
Pros:
Distilled spirits are sugar free alcohol.
Dry wines are lower in sugar than sweet or dessert wines.
You can mix spirits with water, club soda, or diet tonic for low carb cocktail options.
Cons:
Spirits can be high in alcohol, so moderation is key.
Mixed drinks may add hidden sugars if you are not careful.
Choose dry wines over sweet or dessert wines.
Mix spirits with water, club soda, or diet tonic—avoid sugary mixers.
Limit your serving size to avoid excess alcohol intake.
Remember: You can enjoy a drink with diabetes if you make smart choices. Always check the label, watch your carbohydrates, and stick to your plan.
Some beers have a lot more carbohydrates than others. You should avoid stouts, porters, wheat beers, and most high-calorie craft beers. These drinks often have a heavy mouthfeel and can contain more than 10 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Dark beers, in particular, usually have higher carb counts.
Stouts
Porters
Wheat beers
Craft beers with a thick or creamy texture
Tip: Light beers usually have about 4 grams of carbs, but dark beers can have 10 grams or more.
When you drink high-carb beer, your blood sugar can spike quickly. Craft beers and darker options have more dextrins, which your body breaks down into sugar. This makes it harder to keep your blood sugar steady. If you have diabetes, these spikes can be risky and make your condition harder to manage.
You can spot high-carb beers by checking the nutrition label or looking up the brand online. If the beer feels heavy or tastes sweet, it probably has more carbs. Most regular beer brands list their nutrition facts on their websites. If you are at a bar or restaurant, ask the server about the beer’s style and carb content.
Not all hard seltzers are low in sugar. Some brands add fruit juice concentrates or sweeteners. These hidden sugars can raise your blood sugar without you noticing. Always check the ingredient list for words like “juice concentrate,” “cane sugar,” or “syrup.”
You can find out if a seltzer has added sugar by reading the nutrition facts and ingredient list. Seltzers made with sugar brews or wine bases must list their ingredients and sugar content. Look for labels that say “no added sugar” or “zero sugar.” If you do not see this, check the brand’s website for more details.
Some hard seltzers use real fruit juice or extra sweeteners. These can have more than 5 grams of carbs per can. Always avoid seltzers that do not clearly list their sugar content. AMASS Hard Seltzers, for example, state on the label that they have no added sugars or sweeteners. Use this as a guide when picking a drink.
Heavy beers and strong mixed drinks can cause problems for your blood sugar. Drinks with high alcohol by volume (ABV) and lots of calories are not good choices. Some heavy beers have up to 10% ABV and 175 calories per serving. These drinks can make your blood sugar go up and are harder for your body to process.
Drink Type | ABV Range | Calorie Range (per 12 oz) | Carbohydrate Content (g) | Diabetes Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard Bottled Beer | 4-5% | 114-148 | 6.9-13.9 | Better for blood sugar control |
Heavy/Craft Beers | Up to 10% | 141-175 | Often >10 | Higher risk for blood sugar spikes |
Cocktails and mixed drinks often hide a lot of sugar. Drinks like Long Island Iced Tea, White Russian, and pre-made margaritas can have over 200 calories and lots of sugar. Regular soda, tonic, and juice mixers add even more carbs. These mixers can make your blood sugar spike fast.
You can avoid heavy drinks by checking the menu or asking the bartender about ingredients. Stay away from drinks with cream, syrups, or fruit juices. Choose simple drinks with clear nutrition facts. If you are not sure, pick a light beer or a hard seltzer with no added sugar.
Note: Always check the nutrition label or ask about ingredients if you are unsure about a drink.
You should always eat before you drink alcohol. Skipping meals or drinking on an empty stomach can make your blood sugar drop fast. Try to eat every three hours, even if you do not feel hungry. Balanced meals help you keep your blood sugar steady and make it easier to drink safely with diabetes.
A good meal for someone with diabetes includes lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber-rich foods. These foods give you lasting energy and help prevent sudden changes in blood sugar levels. You might want to include vegetables, whole grains, and a small portion of healthy fat. This kind of meal fits well into a diabetes diet and helps you drink safely.
Snacks are important when you plan to have a drink. They help you avoid low blood sugar and keep you feeling good. Choose snacks that mix carbohydrates with protein or healthy fats. Here are some easy ideas:
Crackers with peanut butter
Greek yogurt with berries
Half a turkey sandwich on whole grain bread
An apple with peanut butter
Whole grain cereal with milk
Fruit and crackers
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole grain bread
You can also have a light snack before bed if you drink in the evening. This helps keep your blood sugar from dropping overnight.
Try not to delay meals or snacks when you drink. Eat small, frequent meals every three to four hours. If you want to have a drink, plan it with a meal or snack. This timing helps your body handle alcohol better and keeps your blood sugar levels steady. If you eat sweets or drink alcohol, do it as part of a balanced meal. Always match your carbohydrate intake to your diabetes medications to avoid hypoglycemia.
Tip: Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Eating first is one of the best ways to drink safely with diabetes.
Checking your blood sugar is very important when you have diabetes and want to drink safely. You should check your blood sugar before you start drinking. If you feel any symptoms of low or high blood sugar while drinking, check again. After you finish drinking, check your blood sugar one more time. This helps you catch any changes early and keeps you safe.
You may also want to check your blood sugar before meals, at bedtime, or if you feel sick or stressed. If you take new medicine or your blood sugar has been higher or lower than normal, check more often. Alcohol can make these changes harder to notice, so stay alert.
Low blood sugar can sneak up on you, especially when you drink alcohol. Sometimes, the signs look like being drunk. You might feel shaky, sweaty, dizzy, or confused. You could have trouble speaking or feel very tired. If you notice any of these signs, check your blood sugar right away.
Note: Friends may not know if you have low blood sugar or if you are just tipsy. Always let someone know you have diabetes before you drink.
Always keep a quick source of sugar with you when you drink. This could be glucose tablets, fruit juice, or regular soda. If your blood sugar drops, you need to act fast. Carrying a small snack or glucose source helps you stay safe and enjoy your time out.
Pro Tip: Tell your friends or the people you are with about your diabetes. Show them where you keep your glucose source. This way, they can help if you need it.
You need to know your own limits before you start drinking. Setting a personal limit helps you stay safe and enjoy your time. Think about how much alcohol you can handle. Your doctor can help you decide what is right for you. Most experts say women should have no more than one drink a day. Men should stop at two drinks a day.
You can use these tips to set your own limit:
Decide how many drinks you will have before you go out.
Tell a friend or family member about your plan.
Stick to your limit, even if others drink more.
Tip: Write your limit down or set a reminder on your phone. This helps you remember your goal.
Drinking slowly gives your body time to process alcohol. If you drink too fast, you may not notice how much you have had. You can use these ideas to pace yourself:
Sip your drink instead of taking big gulps.
Wait at least 30 minutes between drinks.
Drink a glass of water after each alcoholic drink.
Eat snacks while you drink to slow down alcohol absorption.
Here is a simple table to help you pace your drinks:
Drink Number | Time to Wait Before Next Drink | What to Do During the Wait |
|---|---|---|
1 | 30 minutes | Drink water, eat a snack |
2 | 30 minutes | Chat with friends, move around |
3 | 30 minutes | Check your blood sugar, relax |
Note: Drinking slowly helps you notice how alcohol affects your body. You can stop before you feel sick or dizzy.
Keeping track of your drinks helps you stay in control. You can use a notebook, a phone app, or even a sticky note. Write down each drink as you have it. This makes it easy to see if you are close to your limit.
Try these simple ways to track your drinks:
Use your phone’s notes app to log each drink.
Move a coin from one pocket to another for every drink.
Ask a friend to help you keep count.
Pro Tip: Tracking your drinks can help you spot patterns. You might notice you drink more at certain times or with certain people. Knowing this helps you make better choices next time.
Limiting how much you drink is one of the best ways to protect your health. You can enjoy a beer or hard seltzer and still keep your blood sugar steady. Set your limit, pace yourself, and track your drinks. You will feel better and stay safer every time you choose to drink.
If you take medicine for diabetes, you need to know how alcohol can interact with your treatment. Some diabetes medications do not mix well with alcohol. Here are a few important points to remember:
Metformin and alcohol together can cause serious side effects. One rare but dangerous problem is lactic acidosis, which happens when lactic acid builds up in your body.
Drinking alcohol while taking metformin or sulfonylureas can make your blood sugar drop too low. This is called hypoglycemia.
Sulfonylureas, like glipizide or glyburide, have an even higher risk of causing low blood sugar when you drink.
Signs of low blood sugar include dizziness, confusion, blurry vision, drowsiness, and headache. If you feel any of these, check your blood sugar right away.
Severe low blood sugar can make you pass out. You may need emergency help.
Always tell your friends or family about your diabetes. Show them how to help if you have low blood sugar.
Carry glucose tablets or a rescue kit with you when you go out.
Tip: If you take diabetes medicine, talk to your doctor before you drink. They can help you stay safe.
Alcohol can make your blood sugar levels drop, especially if you drink on an empty stomach or use insulin or sulfonylureas. Your liver works hard to break down alcohol, so it cannot release glucose into your blood as well. This makes it harder to keep your blood sugar steady.
Here’s what you should do if you feel signs of low blood sugar:
If your blood sugar is between 55–69 mg/dL, eat 15 grams of carbohydrates (like glucose tablets or juice).
Wait 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar again.
If it is still low, eat another 15 grams of carbohydrates and recheck after 15 minutes.
Keep repeating until your blood sugar is back to normal.
After you feel better, eat a meal or snack to keep your blood sugar levels steady.
If your blood sugar drops below 55 mg/dL, get medical help right away.
Note: Always eat before and while you drink. This helps prevent low blood sugar.
Sometimes, you should not drink alcohol at all if you have diabetes. Here are some situations when you need to skip alcohol:
Your diabetes is not well controlled.
You have high triglycerides or pancreatitis.
You are pregnant or planning to drive.
You are being treated for alcohol use disorder.
You take certain medicines, like chlorpropamide, that can cause bad reactions with alcohol.
Alcohol can make diabetes complications worse. It can also hide the signs of low blood sugar, making it hard for you and others to notice when you need help. If you are not sure if it is safe for you to drink, ask your doctor first.
Callout: If you have any diabetes complications or trouble keeping your blood sugar levels steady, it is best to avoid alcohol completely.
You can enjoy beer or hard seltzer with diabetes if you make smart choices. Always check nutrition labels for carbs, sugar, and ABV. Pick light or low-carb drinks, and skip sugary mixers. Drink slowly, eat before you sip, and watch your blood sugar. Here are some top tips:
Choose low-carb beers or hard seltzers
Avoid high-sugar cocktails and mixers
Drink in moderation—one for women, two for men
Ask for low-sugar options at bars
Monitor your blood sugar before and after drinking
If you have questions, talk to your doctor. You have the power to enjoy life and stay healthy!
Yes, you can enjoy beer or hard seltzer if you have diabetes. Just choose low-carb options, drink in moderation, and always check your blood sugar. Eating before you drink helps keep you safe.
Pick light beers or those labeled “low-carb.” Look for 5 grams of carbs or less per 12-ounce serving. Brands like Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, and Budweiser Select 55 work well.
Alcohol can make your blood sugar drop, especially if you drink on an empty stomach. Some drinks with lots of sugar or carbs can also make your blood sugar spike. Always monitor your levels.
Hard seltzers usually have fewer carbs and less sugar than regular beer. Many are gluten-free. Just check the label for hidden sugars or sweeteners.
Avoid:
Stouts, porters, and wheat beers
Sugary cocktails or mixers
Hard seltzers with added sugar
Drinking on an empty stomach
Some diabetes medicines do not mix well with alcohol. You could have a higher risk of low blood sugar or other side effects. Always talk to your doctor before you drink.
You might feel shaky, dizzy, confused, or sweaty. Sometimes, you may slur your words or feel very tired. If you notice these signs, check your blood sugar right away.
