As a diabetic person, you always keep a tab on what you are eating. But do you pay attention to what you’re drinking as well? Drinking the wrong beverages can be as detrimental for your sugar levels as eating the wrong kind of food. Therefore, drinks for diabetics is a much debated topic.
If you want to manage your diabetic condition in an effective manner, you also need to pay attention to what and how much your fluid intake is. You will be surprised to know how much a single drink can affect your sugar levels.
Why Are Certain Beverages Unsuitable For A Diabetic Person?
A drink containing carbohydrates will get digested faster than a food item containing carbohydrates. Therefore, it will spike your sugar level at a faster rate. For this reason, sugary drinks are recommended during a hypoglycemia attack as they can quickly lead to a spike in your sugar levels.
Some drinks might also contain hidden sugars or carbohydrates that you might not be aware of. Let’s have a look at some of the beverages that are suitable for a diabetic person-
Drinks For Diabetics – Which Ones Are Suitable?
Water
Water is neutral and your best option to stay hydrated if you have diabetes. Drinking enough water can help you manage your blood sugar level as you will be able to expel the extra sugar in your blood through urine. If drinking plain water is boring, infuse it with herbs or fresh or frozen fruits to make it flavorful.
Fresh Lime Juice
When looking to quench your thirst opt for either zero- calorie or low-calorie drinks. Fresh lemon or lime juice squeezed into your drink will give it a refreshing tinge.
Black Tea/ Green Tea
Switch to black or green tea, which will have a positive effect on your health. Other herbal teas like hibiscus, ginger, chamomile and peppermint tea are all excellent options for people with diabetes as they have no added sugar, carbohydrates or calories and are rich in antioxidants.
If you take milk with your tea or coffee count that towards your total carbohydrate intake for the day. Take your tea and coffee unsweetened and milk free.
Drinks That You Should Avoid Being A Diabetic
Fruit Juices
Eat your fruit, don’t drink it! Fruit juices are not advisable as they are pure sugar and can spike your blood sugar. Vegetable juice like tomato and celery juice instead of fruit juice is a better option as it’s low in sugar, but even these should be consumed in moderation.
Dairy Options
Dairy options cannot be considered a low-sugar beverage. Consider milk alternatives like almond, oat, rice, soy, rice, or coconut milk since these are dairy-free and low in carbs.
Alcohol/ Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are generally not considered “good” drink choices for anyone. For people with diabetes alcohol consumption poses a risk of causing both dangerously high sugar and low sugar by interfering with your bodily functions.
If you have diabetes and plan on drinking alcohol you should check your blood sugar levels before and up to 24 hours after drinking. Check your levels at bedtime also to ensure that they are stable before sleeping. You should also avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
Read More – What Are The Benefits Of Coconut For Diabetes Patients?
It is important for a diabetic person to stay hydrated and drink an adequate amount of water on a regular basis. If you feel like consuming other beverages, you should always speak to your health coach to know which beverages are suitable for your diabetic diet.
Also, do not forget to monitor your sugar levels on a regular basis. Only when you know whether your sugar level is low, high, or controlled, will you be able to assess the effectiveness of your diabetes treatment.
