If you have diabetes, drinking alcohol can be especially dangerous. The action of insulin and diabetes medications is to lower blood glucose. Since alcohol is metabolized by the liver, when you drink, your liver has to work to remove the alcohol from your blood instead of helping the pancreas to regulate your blood sugar. This distraction can lower blood sugar shortly after drinking and lasting up to 24 hours, leading to very dangerous hypoglycemia. If you have diabetes and choose to drink alcohol, check your blood glucose before you drink, while you drink and after. Most importantly, check your blood glucose before you go to bed to make sure it is at a safe level - between 100 and 140 mg/dL. Blood sugar often dips in the night and if you have been drinking it can really plummet. This is the most dangerous time because you are asleep and can't recognize the symptoms.

To make matters worse, the symptoms of too much alcohol and hypoglycemia can be similar - sleepiness, dizziness, and disorientation. Sometimes hypoglycemia can be confused for drunkenness and you might not get the proper assistance and treatment. The best way to get the help you need if you are hypoglycemic is to always wear an I.D. that states "I have diabetes" and be sure that your friends know the symptoms.

If you are overweight, alcohol provides 7 calories per gram, so drinking alcohol can make losing weight more difficult. Another problem with drinking alcohol can be the distraction or lack of attention given to stay on track with healthy eating. For example, drinking could take the place of eating, because you are full. If you have taken insulin or oral medication, these have very little glucose to act on because you haven't eaten any carbohydrates.

Must have Alcohol Guidelines for people with Diabetes:

If you choose to drink alcohol, limit the amount and have it with food. Always carry along glucose tablets or another source of sugar. Women should drink 1 or fewer alcoholic beverages a day (1 alcoholic drink equals a 12 oz. beer, 5 oz. glass of wine, or 1 1/2 oz. distilled spirits (vodka, whiskey, gin, etc.). Men should drink two or fewer alcoholic drinks a day. If you drink alcohol several times a week, make sure your doctor knows this before he/she prescribes your diabetes medication.

More tips to sip by:

• Drink only when and if blood glucose is under control. Do not omit food from your regular meal plan.

• Sip a drink slowly to make it last.

• Have a no calorie beverage by your side to quench your thirst.

• Try light or low-carbohydrate beers or red wine

• Use calorie-free drink mixers: diet soda, club soda, diet tonic water, or water instead of sugary mixed drinks.

• Try wine spritzers to decrease the amount of wine in the drink.

• Be careful with hard alcohols like vodka, whiskey and liquors - the portion size is so small that it is easy to consume too much.

• Drink alcohol with a snack or meal. Some good snack ideas are pretzels, popcorn, crackers, fat-free or baked chips, raw vegetables and a low-fat yogurt dip.

• Find a registered dietitian to help you carefully fit alcohol into your food plan.

This New Year Eve be safe. Do not drive or plan to drive for several hours after you drink alcohol. And talk with your health care team about whether alcohol is safe for you. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dr. SeAnne Safaii, Ph.D., RD, is an assistant professor at the University of Idaho.