Drink in Moderation means much more than stopping short of fall-down-drunk. It means taking care to stay healthy, just as you should do with all you eat or drink.

For example: 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 way too low.

American Bars would like to make some suggestions to make your next night out more enjoyable for your body health as well as allowing you to enjoy yourself.

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.

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. That is why they taste so good and different.

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.

Here are a couple of healthy drink recipes to get you in the know about making healthy drinks. These actually came from the WebMD site, so they are “doctor approved”.

Strawberry-Coconut Daiquiri

You’ll feel like you’re on a tropical getaway with this refreshing strawberry-coconut cocktail. To keep it cool in warmer weather, freeze fresh berries for 30 minutes before blending. Variation: For a nonalcoholic version, omit the rum and add 1/2 cup additional strawberries.

Ingredients

   2 1/2 cups chopped fresh or frozen (not thawed) strawberries, (about 12 ounces)

   3 tablespoons sugar

   2 tablespoons lime juice

   3 cups ice cubes

   3/4 cup coconut-flavored rum, such as Malibu (see Variation, above)

Instructions

Step 1

   Combine strawberries, sugar and lime juice together in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add ice cubes and rum and blend until frothy. Transfer mixture to a pitcher and serve.

Watermelon Gin Fizz

This pretty pink cocktail would be perfect for a bridal shower luncheon. Any leftover pureed juice is refreshing on its own.

Ingredients

   5 cups diced watermelon, divided

   6 ounces gin, divided

   8 tablespoons lime juice, divided

   1 1/3 cups ginger ale, divided

   Lime wedges, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1

   Freeze 1 cup watermelon for garnish. Puree the remaining 4 cups watermelon. Strain; divide the juice among 4 ice-filled glasses.

Step 2

   Top each with 1 1/2 ounces gin, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1/3 cup ginger ale. Garnish with the frozen watermelon and lime wedges. Non-alcoholic variation: Omit the gin.

Prep Time: 10 mins

   Lower Carb/Low GI

Nutritional Information

Makes: 4 servings

   153  Cals   0g  Fat   0mg  Cholesterol   14g  Carbs   1g Protein  4mg  Sodium

See? You can do much better and stay healthier.