The Best Low-Carb Beer For Diabetics: 10 Best Brands

Can People with Diabetes Drink Beer?

Yes, people with diabetes don’t need to completely cut alcohol out of their diet, they just need to be careful with the amount they consume.

When a diabetic takes insulin or other diabetes medications, drinking alcohol can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours after you stop drinking [1].

The reason is alcohol can interfere with your liver's ability to produce glucose, especially when your blood sugar is already low.

To prevent low blood sugar, you should avoid drinking on an empty stomach, eat food while drinking, and regularly monitor your blood sugar levels [2].

Also, individuals with diabetes should consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice based on their health status and diabetes condition to ensure alcohol consumption is safe and compatible with their overall treatment plan.

Another point worth considering is that beer contains carbohydrates, which can affect your blood sugar level, so you must choose the best low-carb beers for diabetics to enjoy while staying safe.

Learn More: The 10 Best Low-Carb Cocktails for Diabetics

Beer Nutritional Value

It’s important to consume beer in moderation and select the best low-carb beer for diabetes, which includes light and low-carb beers.

Because most beers contain between 4% and 6% alcohol by volume (ABV), and beer has generally more carbohydrates than other alcoholic drinks like wine. However, carbohydrate is not the only nutrient in beer. 100 grams of regular alcoholic beer can contain the following nutrients [3]:

It’s no secret that the carbohydrate content of beers can vary depending on the producer's brand and type of beer. So, it’s best to choose a beer with fewer calories and carbohydrates like light beer.

Low-carb beers usually have fewer calories than normal beers and also have zero or very low sugar content. For this reason, they provide many benefits for individuals with diabetes.

Learn More: The 20 Best Low-Carb Beers: Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Options

The Benefits of Drinking Low-Carb Beer for Diabetics

For individuals with diabetes, choosing low-carb beer over regular beer can offer several benefits such as:

• Better Blood Sugar Control
• Lower Caloric Intake
• Reduced Risk of Hypoglycemia

Better Blood Sugar Control

Low-carb beers contain fewer carbohydrates than regular beers, which means they have less impact on blood sugar levels. It helps maintain stable blood sugar levels better than regular beers [4] [5].

Lower Caloric Intake

Low-carb beers usually have fewer calories than regular beers. For diabetics who need to manage their weight, it’s a great benefit, as excess weight can negatively affect diabetes [6].

Reduced Risk of Hypoglycemia

Drinking alcohol can lower blood sugar levels, especially in those taking insulin or other diabetes medications [7].

Low-carb beers, with their lower carbohydrate content, can help mitigate the risk of dramatic blood sugar drops, reducing the symptoms of hypoglycemia [8].

Despite these benefits, if you consume too much low-carb beer, consume it on an empty stomach, or right after taking medications, it can negatively affect your health condition.

Learn More: Low-Carb Wine: The 10 Best Red and White Wines

The Risks of Drinking Low-Carb Beer for Diabetics

Diabetics can face these risks when consuming low-carb beer, especially if they consume beer regularly.

• Blood Sugar Fluctuations
• Hypoglycemia
• Reduced Awareness of Symptoms
• Dehydration

Blood Sugar Fluctuations

Low-carb beers contain fewer carbohydrates than regular beers, but they still have carbohydrates and alcohol. So if consumed in excess or on an empty stomach, they can negatively affect blood sugar levels and cause rapid spikes [9].

Hypoglycemia

Alcohol interferes with the liver's ability to release glucose into the bloodstream, which can lead to low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) in diabetic patients, especially if medication has already lowered blood sugar [10] [11]. This risk persists for several hours after drinking, even during sleep.

Reduced Awareness of Symptoms

Drinking alcohol can make it harder for diabetics to notice when they have symptoms of low blood sugar such as dizziness, disorientation, or sleepiness [12].

They may not realize they need treatment, which could lead to serious hypoglycemia.

Dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it promotes fluid loss through increased urination [13]. Diabetics are already at higher risk of dehydration due to high blood sugar levels, so they need to consume more water to avoid it [14].

The best way to control these risks is to know how many times and how much beer diabetics can consume.

How Much Low-Carb Beer Can Diabetics Have?

Generally, men with diabetes can have up to 2 low-carb beers a day, and women can have 1 [15]. A standard drink is 12 ounces, but some cans or bottles may contain more.

It's recommended to avoid drinking daily and have alcohol-free days each week. Also, note that everyone is different, so it's important to discuss beer consumption with your doctor.

So, no matter whether you’re diabetic or not, if you decide to have a beer, choose from these best low-carb beers for diabetics to lower the side effects and better control your blood sugar levels.

Learn More: 20 Best Zero-Calorie Drinks: Are They Healthy for Weight Loss?

The Best Low-Carb Beers for Diabetics

The best beers for diabetics are low-carb and low-calorie beers which have up to 37% fewer calories and 80% fewer carbohydrates than regular beers.

It makes them a better choice for managing blood sugar levels and controlling weight, which are important aspects of diabetes management.

Here are the 10 best low-carb beers for diabetics listed based on carbohydrate content:

• Budweiser Select 55,
• Corona Premier,
• Beck’s Premier Light,
• Natural Light,
• Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty,
• Amstel Light Pale Ale,
• Blue Moon Light Citrus Wheat.
• Guinness Draught,
• New Belgium Dayblazer Easygoing Ale, and
• Stella Artois Lager

Budweiser Select 55

This traditional light lager is a great choice for those watching their sugar intake because it has fewer calories and carbohydrates than regular beer. Its light and crisp taste makes it perfect for picnics or beach days. 12 oz. of this beer contains:

• Carbohydrates: 1.9 g,
• Alcohol Content: 2.4% ABV,
• Calorie Content: 55 kcal, and
• Sugar: 0 g.

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Corona Premier

Corona Premier is a premium light lager brewed for health-conscious drinkers. It has a crisp, refreshing, and smooth taste. It's good for casual drinking on a sunny afternoon, pairing with grilled seafood or chicken, or enjoying a backyard barbecue. A 12 oz. serving of this beer contains about:

• Carbohydrates: 2.6 g,
• Alcohol Content: 4% ABV,
• Calorie Content: 90 calories, and
• Sugar: 0 g.

Beck’s Premier Light

This German-style light beer has a balanced and smooth taste, perfect for any occasion, such as casual gatherings with friends or relaxing evenings at home. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy European-style beers. 12 oz. of this beer offers:

• Carbohydrates: 3.2 g,
• Alcohol Content: 3.8% ABV,
• Calorie Content: 64 calories, and
• Sugar: 0 g.

Natural Light

Natural Light is a budget-friendly choice for beer lovers. It has a crisp and refreshing taste that's perfect for gatherings and relaxing after a long day. 12 oz. of Natural Light beer provides:

• Carbohydrates: 3.2 g,
• Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV,
• Calorie Content: 95 calories, and
• Sugar: 0 g.

Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty

This beer is known for its bold hoppy flavors and low calories. It's perfect for beer fans, with a touch of citrus and a pleasant bitterness. When you drink 12 oz. of this beer, you'll get about:

• Carbohydrates: 3.6 g,
• Alcohol Content: 4% ABV,
• Calorie Content: 95 calories, and
• Sugar: 0 g.

Amstel Light Pale Ale

Amstel Light Pale Ale is known for its smooth and mild taste. This Dutch-style light ale is a popular choice for those who want a flavorful but lighter beer, with a light malt and crispy sweetness. In a 12 oz. of this beer there are about:

• Carbohydrates: 5 g,
• Alcohol Content: 3.5% ABV,
• Calorie Content: 95 calories, and
• Sugar: 0 g.

Blue Moon Light Citrus Wheat

This version of Blue Moon Belgian White adds a refreshing twist with its citrusy flavor. It blends citrus zest with wheat malt and provides a lighter and flavorful beer, perfect for any occasion. A 12 oz. serving of this beer contains:

• Carbohydrates: 9 g,
• Alcohol Content: 4.0% ABV,
• Calorie Content: 95 calories, and
• Sugar: 0 g.

Guinness Draught

Guinness Draught is a famous Irish stout known for its smooth, velvety texture and rich flavor. It offers a satisfying drinking experience, with roasted barley notes and hints of coffee and chocolate.

It also has fewer carbohydrates and calories compared to other stouts, making it a good choice for diabetics. Drinking 12 oz. of this beer provides about:

• Carbohydrates: 10 g,
• Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV,
• Calorie Content: 125 calories, and
• Sugar: 0.6 g.

New Belgium Dayblazer Easygoing Ale

This beer is a good choice for those who want a flavorful but light beer. It's great for any occasion, from a backyard barbecue to a relaxing day at the beach, with bright hop aromas and a crisp and clean finish. With every 12 oz. of this beer, you get about:

• Carbohydrates: 10 g,
• Alcohol Content: 4.0% ABV,
• Calorie Content: 135 calories, and
• Sugar: 0 g.

Stella Artois Lager

This premium lager has a balanced mix of malt sweetness and hop bitterness that offers a refined drinking experience for special occasions. Each 12 oz. of this beer includes:

• Carbohydrates: 11 g,
• Alcohol Content: 5.0% ABV,
• Calorie Content: 145 calories, and
• Sugar: 0 g.

Conclusion

The best low-carb beer for diabetics contains low sugar and few calories, which won’t affect the blood sugar level if consumed in moderation.

It’s also suitable for those following low-carb diets like Keto or Carnivore. But please remember that consuming even low-carb beers is only allowed if your doctor agrees.