The American diabetes association suggests limiting alcohol to no more than 2 drinks per day. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer or 4 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.

Drinking alcohol may cause you to have a low blood sugar, especially if you drink on an empty stomach.

Some medications may not mix with alcohol. If you are taking oral medications that lower blood glucose, check with your doctor before drinking alcohol.

If you must drink

• Never drink on an empty stomach
• Snack while you drink
• Avoid drinks that contain large amounts of sugar such as fruit margarita
• Mix drinks with diet tonic, club sodas, seltzer, water, and diet soft drinks

Don't Drink if. . .

• You have nerve damage, such as numbeness or pain in your feet, or erectile dysfunction
• You are unable to feel when you have low blood sugar
• You have high blood pressure
• You have high levels of blood fats
• You are pregnant