Drinks for Diabetics

Drinks for Diabetics – If you are diabetic finding something to drink can be a challenge.

Many wonder is something like coffee is helpful or harmful. Others wonder if diet soda will cause them to gain weight.

We spoke about these issues with registered dietitians and those that are certified diabetic educations to find out some information about common drinks.

More Water

People that drink at least 16 ounces of water a day were 30% more likely to have higher blood sugar levels than people that drank more water.

Water is linked to the hormone vasopression, which helps keep the body hydrated. If the body is dehydrated it will produce more blood sugar.

A person should try to drink between six to eight glasses of water a day. Some of this fluid can come from fruits and vegetables but not all of it.

Drink More Milk

Milk can provide the body with calcium, vitamin D, and other vitamins needed to stay healthy. Milk may even help a person lose weight.

In a study 322 people including those with diabetes were studied. People that drank 12 ounces of milk a day lost 5 pounds more than those that did not.

Low or reduce fat milk is best. Milk can also help lower blood pressure. A person should get at least two to three servings of dairy a day.

Have a glass of milk with breakfast and some sugar free yogurt later in the day. Milk can handle the rise in blood sugar.

A person with diabetes should consume 12 grams of carbohydrates for every 8 ounces of milk they consume.

Drink More Tea

Tea has no calories, a great flavor, and is loaded with antioxidants. Green or black tea is best.

Chinese tea or black tea will help the body slow the absorption of sugar.

A diabetic should have around 4 cups of tea a day. It may also help reduce the risk for heart disease as well as a stroke.

Sweetened or bottled teas have added sugar and should be avoided. Four cups of tea is recommended but do not add sugar to sweeten the tea.

Drink Less Coffee

While some studies suggest coffee decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes other research suggests blood sugar levels rise as the body works harder to process coffee.

Drinking coffee will vary by person and for some it may affect their blood sugar. Adding sugars and creamers to coffee will increase blood sugar levels.

Two to three cups of coffee a day is okay but if a person is having trouble with their blood sugar levels they should cut down on the amount of coffee they are drinking.

Drink Less Diet Sodas

Some studies have suggested that diet soda can easily lead to weight gain. Another study showed that users had a 67% great chance of developing diabetes than those that did not drink diet soda.

People that drink diet soda often feel they can have other treats high in sugar during the day. The taste buds are ready for more sugar.

The American Diabetic Association suggests this is better than regular soda for people that have to control their blood sugar.

A person should try skipping all soda and switching to water or tea. Diet soda does not mean a person can eat junk food later in the diet.

Drink Less Sugary Fruit Drinks and Regular Soda

Fruit drinks have ten teaspoons of sugar in every 12-ounce bottle and can put a person at risk for not only diabetes but weight gain and heart disease. Just one sugary drink a day has around 50 grams of sugar, and it adds up, leading a person to gaining 15 pounds every year.

Sugar can lead to inflammation and put a person at an increased risk for developing diabetes.

To control blood sugar these sugary drinks should be removed from the diet. Switching to water or tea can cut several hundred calories out of a person’s diet on a daily basis.

If a person really wants a sip of soda or a sugary fruit drink they should not consume more than one a week and mix it with the diet variety.

Water and diet club soda is ideal for people that still love the carbonation.

Drink Less Fruit Juice

Fruit juice can increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. Few drinks are made from 100% juice and those that are not can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels.

People that like juice should try eating fresh fruit in replacement. They are lower in calories and carbs.

A person should test their blood sugar levels four days later and they will see a difference. A little juice now and then is okay for most people.