From a carb-rich bottle of beer to a sugary glass of champagne, it’s no secret that alcoholic beverages can wreck havoc on a healthy diet–and your diabetes. However, that doesn’t mean people with the condition have to give up a glass of wine with dinner or the occasional night out with friends. In fact, health care professionals agree that people with diabetes can enjoy alcohol in moderation, just like people without the condition. Read on for four more common myths and a few tips to help you learn to fit a few drinks into your healthy lifestyle. People with diabetes should avoid alcohol. According to the American Diabetes Association, research has shown that moderate drinking has little to no effect on a person’s blood glucose level. However, this doesn’t give people permission to drink as much as they would like. Alcoholic beverages still contain calories, carbs, and sugar, all of which can cause weight gain and lead to complications with your diabetes. Instead, people with diabetes should follow the same guidelines recommended for people without the condition: Men should enjoy no more than two alcoholic beverages per day, while women should have one. It’s important to remember that one drink is equivalent to 12 ounces beer, 5 ounces wine, or 1.5 ounces distilled spirits, such as vodka or gin. Drinking alcohol is bad for my healthy diet. This is a common myth, thanks to restaurant bar menus lined extra sweet margaritas and pint-sized glasses of beer. Research has shown that moderate consumption of certain types of alcohol, specifically one glass of one, have several health benefits. Resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine, has been shown to raise levels of HDL cholesterol (the “good” kind). Studies have also shown that moderate alcohol consumption has helped adults with diabetes become more sensitive to insulin. This means the body will use more of the insulin the pancreas continues to make. Alcohol can prevent my diabetes medications from working. People who take insulin or glucose-lowering medications may be concerned about the effects alcohol will have on their medication. Physicians warn that alcohol consumption can lead to lower blood sugar, causing an increased risk of hypoglycemia. However, most people can fight this problem with a few easy steps. First, it’s important to remember never to drink alcohol on an empty stomach. This will make your blood glucose levels drop faster. If you are counting carbs, never give up one food earlier in the day, thinking that you can “save” the carbs for a drink later. Finally, make sure to drink slowly and keep a refreshing, zero-calorie drink handy. There aren’t any diabetes-friendly drinks available. Instead of giving up alcohol altogether, make a few healthy swaps so that you can have your drink and enjoy it, too. Opt for light beers instead of high-end craft labels. The lighter ones offer fewer calories and carbs. For mixed drinks and cocktails, choose calorie-free mixers to give your drink a little extra punch. Diet soda, club soda, and diet tonic water will spice up your drink without adding too many unhealthy calories. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia