Wine and Diabetes: Carbs, Glycemic Index and Portions
A 5 ounce glass of red wine has about 3.8 g of carbohydrate (3.8 g net). Glycemic index: not applicable. Possibly, with care. If you choose to drink, alcohol can cause low or high blood sugar, so check with your care team first.
A glass of dry wine has only a few grams of carbohydrate, but alcohol can still lower blood sugar for hours after a drink, and can mask or mimic the symptoms of a low. That is the main concern, not the carbohydrate.
Sweet and dessert wines have a lot more sugar. MedlinePlus advises drinking only with food and in moderation, and checking your glucose.
Carbs in wine by portion
| Portion | Grams | Carbs (g) | Fiber (g) | Net carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| serving | 147 | 3.8 | 0 | 3.8 | 0.1 |
| 100 g (for comparing foods) | 100 | 2.6 | 0 | 2.6 | 0.1 |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 173190 (Red wine). Net carbs here means carbohydrate minus fiber. “Net carbs” is not an FDA-defined term, so total carbs are shown too. Values are estimates for a typical item; brands, ripeness and size vary.
Glycemic index and glycemic load
Glycemic index: not applicable. Almost no carbohydrate, so a glycemic index does not apply.
Glycemic index is only one piece of the picture. The same food can give a different response depending on ripeness, cooking, what you eat it with and your own body, so your meter or CGM is the best guide.
How wine fit the plate method
Wine are a drink, not a plate section, so the plate method does not place them. What matters is what is in the cup or glass. The CDC describes the plate method as half non-starchy vegetables, a quarter protein and a quarter carbohydrate foods. See the diabetic meal plan guide for how it works, or drop wine onto a meal in the meal planner to watch the plate fill.
Portion ideas and pairings
- A standard pour is 5 ounces.
- Drink with a meal.
- Skip sweet and dessert wines.
Pairs well with: a meal with protein and vegetables, water between glasses.
Related foods
Beer, regular
can: 12 g carbs
Coffee, black
cup: 0 g carbs
Diet soda
can: 0.4 g carbs
Banana
1 medium: 27 g carbs
See all foods and the low glycemic foods list
Frequently asked questions
Is dry wine OK for diabetes?
Carbohydrate is low, but alcohol itself can cause hypoglycemia and interact with medicines. Ask your care team.
How many carbs are in a 5 ounce glass of red wine?
About 3.8 g of carbohydrate, of which about 0 g is fiber, so roughly 3.8 g net carbs. Values are from USDA FoodData Central for 147 g and are estimates; brands and sizes vary.
Information only, not medical advice. Your care team may set different targets for you, and only a lab test ordered by a clinician can diagnose diabetes or prediabetes. See our medical disclaimer.
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central: Red wine (FDC ID 173190)
- Atkinson FS et al. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021. Am J Clin Nutr 2021;114(5):1625-1632
- CDC: Diabetes Meal Planning (plate method and carbohydrate counting)
- ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026, Section 5: Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors
- MedlinePlus: Diabetes and alcohol
Last reviewed: by the Diabetes Blogs editorial team. Information only, not medical advice.
