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Who doesn’t wait for New Year’s eve? After all, it is the time to let yourself loose and put on your dancing shoes. And how can this eventful night be complete without alcohol? Well, sounds pretty legit to us. But what if you’re a diabetic?
We know it’s hard to miss out on all the fun, but who said you must? You can also party it out, but with a little caution. They say knowledge is power, and that’s why you must understand how alcohol affects your blood sugar levels. If you don’t, your party will be cut short one way or the other.
Most alcoholic drinks are high in carbs and sugars, and that’s sure to make your blood sugar levels go haywire. When alcohol enters the bloodstream, the liver identifies it as a toxin, and tries hard to remove it. It then releases less glucose into the bloodstream than usual, while it works to remove the alcohol from your system. The more alcohol you consume, the harder your liver will have to work to remove it.
And in fact, people who take medication for diabetes should be even more mindful, because the combined effect can really make their blood sugar levels take a plunge, and that’s pretty dangerous.
This is the ground rule for diabetics, especially if you know you’re going to be drinking at a party. When you eat food, it slows down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. That’s why you need to make sure you do this every single time. It’s only going to help you!
Like we mentioned earlier, alcohol actually inhibits your liver from producing glucose, so make sure you know your blood sugar levels, before you begin drinking.
Many alcoholic drinks, especially cocktails and beers, contain carbs and sugars that can raise your blood sugar levels too. You can go for sugar-free mixer options, and also download some calorie checking apps on your smartphone to assess the potential impact on your blood sugar levels. This way, you will be better prepared!
This is especially important if you are a diabetic. Red wine is your best bet, because it has a relatively low carb count. You can also mix some sparkling water to it to increase its volume. That way you can enjoy the drink without worrying about your blood sugar levels. If you are someone who loves doing shots, then try doing it with clean spirits like vodka or tequila without added sugars, but just don’t overboard.
You can totally party it out on NYE, but do not drink too much alcohol, because it can also make you feel dizzy, sleepy and also, disoriented at times. If you are hypoglycemic, you need food or glucose tablets to raise your levels, but we’re sure you wouldn’t want to reach that point. So, sip on your drink through the night, and enjoy the party.
Lastly, and no we don’t mean to scare you, but let some people know that you have diabetes. That’s because they can check in on you from time to time, and in case something goes wrong, they are there to support you.
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PERSONALISE NOWSo ladies, being diabetic doesn’t mean you can’t drink on NYE. Follow our advice, and you’ll be good!
An independent writer and journalist, Geetika loves sharp and fresh humour, just like her coffee! If not writing, you'll find her cafe-hopping and raiding the best book stores in town. ...Read More
