Impact of Carbohydrates in Non-Alcoholic Beers
Reading Nutrition Labels: What Diabetics Should Look For
- Serving size: Pay close attention to the serving size listed, as all other nutritional information is based on this amount. If you consume more than one serving, you'll need to adjust the other values accordingly.
- Total carbohydrates: This includes all types of carbohydrates - sugar, starch, and fiber. Use the total grams of carbohydrates when counting carbs or planning meals. Aim for foods with a lower % Daily Value of total carbohydrates.
- Added sugars: Look for the amount of added sugars, which are now required to be listed separately from naturally occurring sugars. Choose foods with minimal or no added sugars to better control blood glucose.
- Fiber: Opt for foods higher in dietary fiber, as it can help slow the absorption of sugar and improve blood sugar levels.
- Fat: While monitoring fat intake is important for overall health, pay special attention to saturated and trans fats, aiming for foods with a lower % Daily Value of these.
- Sodium: Look for foods with a lower % Daily Value of sodium to help manage blood pressure, which is often a concern for diabetics.
Best Overall: IMPOSSIBREW
Frequently Asked Questions
The information below is for general guidance and does not replace personalised advice from your GP or diabetes team.
Can diabetics drink non-alcoholic beer?
Yes, many diabetics can enjoy non-alcoholic beer, but carbohydrate and sugar content varies a lot between brands, so the answer depends on what you choose. Check the nutrition label, start small, and speak to your GP or diabetes nurse before making it a regular part of your routine.
How much sugar and carbohydrate is in non-alcoholic beer?
It depends on the brand. San Miguel 0.0% contains around 3.7g of carbohydrate per 100ml, Maisel's Weisse Non-Alcoholic comes in at 5.5g, and some options reach 8 to 9g. IMPOSSIBREW Enhanced Lager contains 3.4g of carbohydrate (of which 0.7g sugars) per 100ml, which works out at 75 kcal per 440ml can. The Enhanced Hazy Pale is slightly lower at 3.0g carbohydrate (0.6g sugars) per 100ml and 70 kcal per 440ml.
Does non-alcoholic beer spike blood sugar?
It can, if the beer is high in fast-releasing carbohydrates. A 2022 study published in Nutrients found that alcohol-free beers formulated with isomaltulose and resistant maltodextrin produced a lower glucose, insulin and incretin response than standard alcohol-free beer, and even lower glucose peaks than an equivalent portion of white bread. Low-sugar, low-carb options tend to be the better fit for glucose control.
Are non-alcoholic beers lower in carbohydrates than regular beer?
Not always. Because alcohol is either removed or never fully fermented out, some non-alcoholic beers keep more residual sugar than their alcoholic counterparts. Always read the nutrition panel rather than assuming "alcohol-free" automatically means diabetic-friendly.
What should diabetics look for on a non-alcoholic beer label?
Focus on four numbers: serving size, total carbohydrate, added sugars and fibre. Aim for the lowest total carbs and added sugar per 100ml you can find, and remember to scale those numbers up for the actual can or bottle size you are drinking.
Is IMPOSSIBREW a good choice for diabetics?
IMPOSSIBREW Enhanced Lager sits at 0.5% ABV, 75 kcal and 3.1g sugars per 440ml can, is vegan, and is brewed in the UK. The Enhanced Hazy Pale is 70 kcal and 2.6g sugars per 440ml. Neither is sugar-free, so check the nutrition panel against your own carb targets and speak to your GP or diabetes team before adding it to a regular routine.
















