Alcohol

If you are taking medicines and/or your triglycerides are elevated (raised), talk with your doctor about alcohol.

If your doctor says that you can drink alcohol, you can include it in your food plan as long as you follow these guidelines:

  • Limit alcohol when you are trying to lose weight.
  • Limit your alcohol use to no more than one to two drinks a day. Serving sizes are:
    • 12 ounces of beer
    • 5 ounces of wine
    • 1 ½ ounces hard liquor (whiskey, gin, scotch, vodka, etc.) mixed with diet pop or water.
Alcohol cannot be used as fuel by your body. It is converted to fat.

Source: Allina Health's Patient Education Department, Prediabetes: Reducing Type 2 Diabetes Risk Through a Lifestyle of Good Nutrition and Activity, first edition, dia-ah-94403
Reviewed By: Allina Health Patient Education
First Published: 04/02/2009
Last Reviewed: 01/28/2019