The Best Foods for a Diabetic to Eat for Breakfast
Having diabetes doesn't mean you need to eat bland, boring foods at every meal. You can eat a variety of satisfying foods at breakfast that will fill you up without spiking your blood sugar. Mix and match these foods for even more variety and a greater sense of interest in eating healthy foods.
Eggs and Meat
Protein is an important part of any diet, and including it is a great way feel full and satisfied after your meal. Some of these choices may seem strange to eat at breakfast originally, but are very satisfying and can be made in bulk in advance.
Don't Ditch Dairy
The Best Bedtime Foods for a Diabetic
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Diary products can be very useful on a diabetic diet. Low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese have low glycemic index ratings, meaning they don't spike your insulin levels after eating. These foods also give you a good amount of protein and calcium. You can combine cheese and ham in a lettuce wrap, or have a bowl of yogurt topped with some nuts, cinnamon and shredded coconut for a tasty and filling breakfast.
- Diary products can be very useful on a diabetic diet.
- Low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese have low glycemic index ratings, meaning they don't spike your insulin levels after eating.
Protein Goodies
Many tasty breakfast options are available if you are willing to experiment with protein powder. Select a whey, soy or rice protein powder that doesn't have any added sugar and is low in carbohydrates. Then you can replace flour in most recipes with protein powder for diabetes-friendly baked goods: protein muffins, protein pancakes or protein cookies. If your recipes call for a lot of butter, egg whites make a good replacement and won't give you the hit of saturated fats you would otherwise get. Protein shakes, made with low-fat or nut milk, are another filling and versatile breakfast option.
- Many tasty breakfast options are available if you are willing to experiment with protein powder.
- Then you can replace flour in most recipes with protein powder for diabetes-friendly baked goods: protein muffins, protein pancakes or protein cookies.
Balanced Carbs
Gluten-, Egg-, Soy- & Dairy-Free Foods
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Diabetics need to avoid certain carbohydrate-rich foods, but there are a number of options you can safely eat for breakfast. These include rolled oats, rye bread, soy and linseed bread, whole-grain cereals -- such as bran flakes and homemade sugar-free muesli -- and fruit. These are low glycemic-index foods, so they won't destabilize your blood sugar. Aim to eat these a couple of times per week to ensure that you are getting enough fiber and minerals.
- Diabetics need to avoid certain carbohydrate-rich foods, but there are a number of options you can safely eat for breakfast.
Related Articles
References
- American Diabetes Association: Protein Foods
- American Diabetes Association: Dairy
- Better Health Victoria: Diabetes and Healthy Eating
- Leidy HJ et al. Beneficial effects of a higher-protein breakfast on the appetitive, hormonal, and neural signals controlling energy intake regulation in overweight/obese, “breakfast-skipping,” late-adolescent girls. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. April 2013.
Writer Bio
Lau Hanly runs Fierce For Life, a nutrition and fitness company that helps young women start with healthy eating and smart training without overwhelming them. She has a certificate of nutrition, and provide individual coaching, standard fitness and nutrition programs, and group training.