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06 July 2010
Diabetes Awareness Week 2010
 
Diabetes Australia-NSW will be spreading the message across the state about the link between diabetes and kidney disease this Diabetes Awareness Week from 11-17 July.
 
25 June 2010
Congratulations to Jimmy Little on success at APRA awards
 
Diabetes Australia-NSW would like to congratulate Jimmy Little after he was recognised on Monday for his achievements in music.
 
07 July 2010
New type 2 diabetes medication may help in type 1
 
A new medication for type 2 diabetes may also benefit those with type 1, reducing the rise in blood glucose levels following a meal and possibly lowering insulin needs.
 
29 June 2010
Insulin pump prevents night-time hypos
 
A special insulin pump which uses continuous glucose monitoring to predict hypoglycaemia and stop delivering insulin can help reduce the number of overnight hypos, according to a new study.
 

Alcohol and diabetes

Most people with diabetes can enjoy alcohol in moderation. But make sure you talk with your doctor, diabetes educator or dietitian first.

If you do drink alcohol, drinking small amounts is generally considered to be of benefit to your health. However, it is easy to drink too much alcohol. If you drink excess alcohol it may have a negative impact on your health. Excessive alcohol intake can impair the management of your diabetes and may exacerbate any diabetes related complications.

Alcohol is also high in energy and can contribute to weight gain and may increase high blood pressure and triglycerides levels.

How much alcohol is safe to drink when you have diabetes?
Research indicates that in general, the level of alcohol consumption associated with the least risk for people with diabetes is the same as that for the general population. The National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines state that both men and women should limit their drinks to two standard drinks a day. This is the recommendation for all adults, not just people with diabetes.

People with diabetes who take certain diabetes medications/insulin, and/or have diabetes related complications, are recommended to consult their doctor for more personalised advice.

How can alcohol affect a person with diabetes?
People with diabetes who take insulin or certain diabetes medication can increase their risk of having a hypo when they drink alcohol. To reduce this risk it is recommended that people with diabetes on these medications always eat foods containing carbohydrate when they drink alcohol. Depending on when you drink alcohol, the carbohydrates could be in the form of a meal, or snack foods like oven baked potato chips or reduced fat crackers.

One standard drink equals: 100ml wine or 285 mL regular beer or 375 mL low-alcohol beer or 30 mL spirits.

Tips for drinking less alcohol
If you think you are drinking too much, try some of these tips:
1. Drink some water or a diet soft drink before drinking any alcohol, so that you are not thirsty when you start.
2. Sip your alcoholic drink slowly.
3. Drink a non-alcoholic drink between each alcoholic drink (eg water or a diet soft drink).
4. Dilute alcohol (eg make a beer shandy by diluting beer with low joule lemonade or diluting wine with soda water).
5. Drink low alcohol beer.

Learn more safe drinking strategies or read our Alcohol and Diabetes Information Sheet (PDF).

Page last updated: 3 April 2009

 

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