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York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals:

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Your Diabetes

Alcohol 

Recommendations

  • Limit alcohol to a maximum of 14 units per week (no difference between men and women)
  • Spread units of alcohol over 3 or more days in the week
  • Have several alcohol free days in the week

If you are on sulphonylurea medication for your diabetes (e.g gliclazide) or insulin then speak to your practice nurse or GP about the increased risk of hypoglycaemia with alcohol consumption.

What is a unit?

125ml of 12% wine 1.5units
175ml 12% wine 2.1 units
250ml 12% wine 3 units
1 pint of 5.2% lager 3 units
330ml bottle of 5% lager 1.7 units
25ml (single measure) spirits 1 units