What to drink when you have diabetes (2024)

FAQs

What to drink when you have diabetes? ›

Your body is made up of nearly two-thirds water, so it makes sense to drink enough every day to stay hydrated and healthy. Water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices and smoothies all count. We also get fluid from the food we eat, especially from fruit and veg.

If you're going to drink sports drinks as a person with diabetes, a sugar-free or “zero” version might be the simplest option, but consuming these artificial sweeteners in excessive amounts is not recommended.

According to the American Diabetes Association, drinking red wine — or any alcoholic beverage — can lower blood sugar for up to 24 hours.

This means opting for 100% natural juices with 0 added sugars and avoiding fruit juices made from pineapple or mangos. These fruit juices often have a significant amount of sugar. Instead, stick with juices such as unsweetened lemon or grapefruit juice, which has a lower glycemic index than most other types of juices.

Drinking water is an excellent way to stay hydrated without consuming sugar. Green tea, cow's milk, and fermented milk (kefir) could also help you manage your blood sugar responses. Coffee also contains compounds that may help regulate blood sugar, but confirming this requires more research.

Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as fruit punch, may taste like fruit juice, but they often contain high levels of sugar or corn syrup and contain little to no real fruit juice. These ingredients can cause the same spikes in blood sugar levels as soda.

Used sparingly, honey can be part of a healthy, balanced diet for people living with diabetes. But it's good practice to get into the habit of limiting honey and any added sugar as much as possible. More than focussing on an individual ingredient, think about what you eat for each meal as a whole.

Bananas are a delicious, nutritious and affordable food for everyone, including those with diabetes. Eating this healthy fruit can help stabilize blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity and improve heart health.

You limit dairy products, red meat, sweets, added sugars, sodium (salt), and highly processed foods. Some additional guidelines include focusing on seasonal produce and reading food labels to help you avoid added sodium and sugar.

Water is the best all-round drink. If your family likes flavoured waters, make your own by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime, or strawberries.

How can I flush sugar out of my system fast? ›

Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.

Try to limit drinks with a lot of sugar, such as sweet sherries, sweet wines and liqueurs. Have diet or sugar-free mixers with any spirits – if a friend gets one for you, make it clear what you need. Some drinks like beers, ales and ciders contain carbs and will increase your blood sugar levels initially.

A study in China found drinking at least four cups of black, green or oolong teas a day was linked to a 17% lower risk of developing diabetes. Another study in Japan found people who had three cups of coffee per day were 33% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people who consumed less than one cup per week.