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Drink in Moderation Most people with diabetes can enjoy some alcohol. Rules are the same as for everyone else: one drink per day for women; two for men. But you need to know how alcohol affects your blood sugar. A sugary drink might spike your blood sugar. But if you drink on an empty stomach or take certain meds, your levels could swing too low. Beer A 12-ounce beer has about 15 grams of carbohydrates, compared to 3 to 6 grams in light beer. Also, �light� and �low carb� are pretty much the same thing � and also your best bet. Be careful with craft beer. Most have twice the alcohol and calories as regular beer. Wine Some research says wine (red or white) helps your body use insulin better and may even make you less likely to get type 2 diabetes in the first place. It may also have heart benefits, to boot! A standard 5-ounce serving has about 120 calories, nearly all of which come from alcohol, not carbs. Sangria Recipes vary, but depending on the fruit and juices involved, this drink may have as much sugar as a regular soda. Instead of sangria, go with one glass of dry red or white wine. Those only have about 4 grams of carbs. Avoid sweeter varieties, like flavored wines and dessert wines. Liquor One ounce of liquor, depending on the proof, has about the same amount of alcohol as 5 ounces of wine. While liquor is often carb-free, mixers like soda and juice can send blood sugar levels through the roof. To prevent a spike, mix your liquor with a calorie-free drink like water or seltzer. Cupcake Cocktails Sweet drinks like margaritas and mojitos don�t have to be off-limits. Use sugar-free mixers for margaritas, fresh fruit for daiquiris, and instead of pouring simple syrup into mojitos and martinis, try a natural sweetener like stevia or agave. Bloody Mary This brunch classic can be a diabetes diet disaster. The vodka in it can make your blood sugar unstable. Take out the alcohol to make it �virgin,� add a celery spear, and use low-sodium tomato juice. Drinking Dos Stay hydrated � it helps keep you sober. Wear ID that says you have diabetes � a buzz and low blood sugar can look the same. Be careful if you take insulin � alcohol can make your blood sugar drop. Drinking Don�ts Don�t drink on an empty stomach. Food helps you process alcohol. Don�t drink your meals. Booze lowers blood sugar. Don�t forget to test. Alcohol can affect your blood sugar for up to 24 hours.