A lot has been said, written and debated about foods that increase the insulin levels. Most diabetics pay more attention to the food that they eat. But what about drinks for diabetics? Should diabetics exercise caution while having alcohol, sodas, fruit juices etc? Now this might sound a bit tricky. Do you have to actually keep track of the sugar content in the drinks you take? Well, the answer to that question would be a YES. Drinks and beverages are high in sugar content too and keeping a track of sugar content that your body gets from drinks is equally important to keep diabetes in check.

There are a wide variety of drinks for diabetics. It is important that you as a diabetic have a good knowledge about the drinks which are suitable for you and drinks which are not. Let us now discuss about these drinks and know if they are safe for diabetics or not.

Alcohol

-Though you might be tempted to have a peg or two of your favorite Scotch or take a small sip of that sparkling wine, alcohol does not spell good news for diabetics. Doctors and experts suggest that people with diabetes should avoid alcohol completely. Although it might be OK for diabetics who are in the nascent stage to have a beer or a glass of wine occasionally, it is always better to steer clear of it. One simple thing to be kept in mind is that alcohol does alter one’s blood level and diabetics should always aim to keep their blood sugar levels in control.

Bottom line is -stay safe and avoid alcohol.

Soft drinks

-Most of the soft drinks have a high sugar content and this is what gives them their flavor. Just like coffee, some people enjoy the sugar high that soft drinks give. This can be potentially dangerous for diabetics and people suffering from hyperglycemia. Findings from some studies also suggest that consumption of soft drinks was one of the cause for diabetes in some people who had no family history of the disease.

People with diabetes can opt for diet drinks instead of the regular soft drinks. However, some components of sugar present in diet drinks can still be harmful for diabetics.

Diet drinks

-Thanks to technology, people with diabetes can now enjoy their everyday drinks. Diet drinks contain artificial sweeteners which add sweetness and flavor to everyday drinks.

Aspartame

also known as NutraSweet is a common and popular type of artificial sweetener. A lot of sugar free colas, sodas, tea drinks, energy drinks and sports drinks contain these artificial sweeteners. This makes them safe for diabetics. Ensure that you check the ingredients of these drinks before buying. Also, take your doctors advice to know whether diet drinks are safe for you or not.

Fruit juices

-Diabetics can consume fruit juices moderately. However, it is important that you know how much of fruit juice is safe for you. Avoid adding sugar to any fruit juice. You should have an idea about the amount of carbohydrates that a serving of juice amounts to. You could discuss with your dietitian about this and it would give you a better idea.

Certain fruit juices (example: cranberry juice) are absorbed quickly and lead to a rapid rise of the blood sugar level. There are a lot of other factors which determine whether fruit juices could affect your blood glucose level or not. Do note that any kind of drinks for diabetics must fit into a proper diet plan. Anything that is out of it can be bad.