Diabetes, Christmas, and alcohol
There is usually an abundance of alcohol during Christmas celebrations, and everyone should be wary not to drink to excess. If you have diabetes, you can usually enjoy drinking in moderation; however, you need to be extra cautious.
If you treat your diabetes with medications such as metformin or insulin, you'll be aware that alcohol interferes with your blood glucose levels and can make you more likely to have a 'hypo' (hypoglycaemia) when your blood glucose drops too low. Alcohol reduces your liver's ability to store glucose, halting recovery when your blood glucose is dropping.
If you enjoy a drink at Christmas, opt for drinks that have lower sugar levels. Alcoholic drinks with high sugar content include:
Liqueurs (cream liqueurs like Baileys are also high in fat).
Cocktails made with fruit juice.
Sweet wines.
Sugary spirit mixers such as fizzy drinks.
Sherries.
Beers, ales, and ciders (contain carbs which will increase your blood glucose levels initially).
Diabetes UK advises caution with low-sugar beers and cider - sometimes called 'diabetic drinks'. While they have less sugar, there's often a higher alcohol content. On the other hand, low-alcohol wines often have more sugar and should also be consumed with caution.
If you do enjoy a drink during the festive season, you can better manage your blood glucose by following these recommendations:
Stick to spirits, dry wines, and Prosecco (they're lower in carbs and sugar).
Try opting for a soda water rather than a normal spirit mixer. Failing that try to use a spirit mixer (such as tonic water) with no added sugar.
Don't drink on an empty stomach.
Try to intersperse drinking water between alcoholic drinks. Also, have a pint of water before bed.
Try to focus on eating a savoury breakfast the following day and check your blood glucose levels if you have a meter - your risk of having a hypo can last up to 24 hours after drinking.
Extracts taken from https://patient.info