The day's most important meal is even more important for people managing type 1 and 2 diabetes. The morning meal is crucial in regulating blood sugar metabolism after a night’s fasting. In fact, skipping breakfast has been linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. However, many filling and satisfying breakfast foods are also carbohydrate-heavy. Sugary cereals, baked goods, and sweeteners are a no-go for people with diabetes.

These diabetic-friendly breakfast foods are delicious, nutritious, and filling. Work these meals into your weekly diet to get your day started right.

Diabetes and Carbs

Carbohydrates play a pivotal role in diabetes management due to their direct impact on blood sugar levels. When consumed, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream and raises blood sugar levels. For individuals with diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, managing carbohydrate intake is crucial to maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

This is typically done through carbohydrate counting, which involves tracking the number of carbohydrates consumed and matching them with the appropriate dose of insulin or medication. By carefully monitoring and controlling carbohydrate intake, individuals with diabetes can better regulate their blood sugar levels, preventing spikes and crashes that can lead to health complications.

Additionally, choosing complex carbohydrates with a lower glycemic index, such as whole grains, vegetables, and legumes, can provide a more sustained release of glucose, aiding in better blood sugar control. Thus, the relationship between carbohydrates and diabetes management underscores the importance of dietary choices in effectively managing this chronic condition.

Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Ideas

1) Egg and Veggie Omelet: Eggs are a nutritious and delicious breakfast option packed with health benefits. They are an excellent source of high-quality protein, essential for muscle repair and growth, and provide long-lasting energy throughout the day. Eggs also contain essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, vital for nerve function, and choline, important for brain health. Moreover, they offer antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which promote eye health.

You can elevate your everyday scrambled eggs by tossing in some low-glycemic veggies like leafy greens (kale and spinach are great options), zucchini, and bell peppers.

2) Vegetable Frittata: Frittatas are a great way to get more veggies into your day. They also make excellent weekday breakfast options, as they can be prepared in advance and reheated in a microwave.

This breakfast recipe from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is filled with high-quality vegetables for a filling and nutritious meal. This recipe uses olive oil, rich in heart-healthy fats that can help lower LDL cholesterol, a staple of the diabetic-friendly Mediterranean diet.

Add lean protein like chicken sausage or turkey bacon to the vegetables to make a more filling frittata. Just be sure to check the packaging of any pre-made breakfast protein options, as many types of sausage and bacon are made with sweeteners like brown sugar or maple syrup.

3) Avocado Toast: Avocado toast is a quick and delicious way to get a hearty serving of healthy fats, fiber, and nutrients. While people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes should eat bread in moderation, many low-glycemic whole wheat and whole grain bread options are available at most grocery stores.

Avocado is chock-full of health benefits. It is renowned for its heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which can help lower harmful cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Avocado is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, promoting digestive health and aiding in weight management by helping you feel full. Moreover, it is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.

Smash half of a ripe avocado on a piece of whole-grain toast. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and a few drops of lemon juice on the mashed fruit. You can put a fried or poached egg on top to make your toast even more filling.

The American Diabetes Association has an [avocado toast recipe] (https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org/recipes/egg-and-avocado-toasts.html) that makes an easy-to-prepare breakfast.

4) High Protein Breakfast Burrito: Everyone likes burritos. Filling a low-carb tortilla with eggs, lean protein, and veggies makes for a homerun breakfast recipe that can be made in advance and eaten on the go.

Be careful when selecting a protein option to avoid overly-processed or pre-packaged meat. Certain types of store-bought bacon and sausage contain added sugars or high levels of salt. Reduced sodium deli meat or plain ground turkey is a terrific protein option for a heart-healthy breakfast.

Check out the ADA’s breakfast burrito recipe.

5) Turkey Sweet Potato Hash: Sweet potatoes are a starchy vegetable that should be eaten in moderation by people managing diabetes. However, these nutrient-dense superfoods can be carefully worked into your weekly meal plan.

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins, particularly vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which supports healthy vision and boosts the immune system. Sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamin C, which aids in collagen production and enhances skin health. Additionally, they provide essential minerals like potassium for heart health and manganese for bone health. Their high fiber content promotes digestive regularity and helps control blood sugar levels, making them an ideal choice for individuals with diabetes or those seeking to manage their weight and prevent blood sugar spikes.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a professional organization made up of registered dietitians (RDs) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), has a turkey and sweet potato hash recipe that is bursting with healthy veggies and high protein turkey. It makes six servings, so it can be made in advance for several meals or used to feed the whole family.

6) Overnight Oats: We love overnight oats here at Sesame. These vibrant and filling bowls contain fiber, fruit, and healthy fats. Plus, because you make them the night before, they’re ready to go first thing in the morning!

Oats are a fantastic choice for individuals managing diabetes due to their numerous health benefits. They are rich in soluble fiber, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing down glucose absorption and preventing sudden spikes in insulin production. This fiber also promotes a feeling of fullness, aiding in weight loss and management—a crucial aspect of diabetes control. Oats are low on the glycemic index, meaning they have a minimal impact on blood sugar levels. Furthermore, they contain beta-glucans, which may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of heart disease, a common concern for people with diabetes.

Avoid adding unnecessary sweeteners to your overnight oats. Many people are tempted to douse their oats with maple syrup, brown sugar, or other sweets. To make overnight oatmeal tastier, throw in some fresh fruit, cinnamon, ground flaxseed, or nut butter for added flavor and nutritional value.

7) Overnight Chia Seed Pudding: Chia seeds offer several health benefits for individuals managing diabetes. These tiny seeds are an excellent source of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates. This slower digestion process can prevent sharp spikes and crashes in blood glucose, promoting better glycemic control.

Chia seeds also provide a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health, a crucial concern for those with diabetes. Additionally, they are rich in essential nutrients like magnesium, which can help regulate blood sugar and insulin levels.

Chia pudding, like overnight oats, can (and should) be prepared the night before. To make chia seed pudding, mix 1 ounce of chia seeds with 1 cup of unsweetened milk of your choice. Add a splash of vanilla extract and some cinnamon, cover, and store the concoction in the fridge to rest overnight.

To add some flavor, top your pudding with fresh fruit, coconut shreds, or chocolate chips with no added sugar. The American Diabetes Association has chocolate and peanut butter chia seed pudding recipe that’s like eating dessert for breakfast!

8) Greek Yogurt Parfait: While parfaits are mostly eaten as desserts in their native France, we have adapted this dish as a light, healthy breakfast option. This parfait recipe from the ADA boasts antioxidant-rich blueberries and healthy plain nonfat Greek yogurt.

Greek yogurt offers several health benefits for individuals managing diabetes. It is a high-protein dairy product that can help stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates. This slower digestion process leads to a more gradual increase in blood glucose, promoting better glycemic control. Greek yogurt is also rich in calcium, which supports bone health and may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a common concern for individuals with diabetes. Furthermore, it contains probiotics, beneficial bacteria that can improve gut health and potentially enhance insulin sensitivity.

When choosing Greek yogurt, look for low-fat or nonfat options. In addition, stick to plain Greek yogurt, as flavored varieties are often loaded with added sugar.

Many people choose to add granola to their parfait. This can add extra fiber and other nutrients to your breakfast, but be careful: many store-bought granolas also have significant amounts of added sugar. Look for sugar-free storebought granola or make your own, like this gluten-free and low-glycemic option from the American Diabetes Association.

9) Cottage Cheese with Fruit and Nuts: Cottage cheese is loaded with protein, calcium, and healthy fats while being low in carbs. In addition, certain dairy products (like cottage cheese) have been shown to help with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a common problem for people with diabetes, as it prevents cells from readily absorbing glucose.

To spruce up plain cottage cheese, top it with a quarter cup of blueberries or raspberries and a half-ounce of almonds. This bowl has 9 grams of protein and 2.7 grams of fiber, making for a healthy and filling breakfast.

10) Whole Grain French Toast: Come on, you didn’t think we would give you just another smoothie recipe, did you? Capping off this list is a diabetic-friendly rendition of maybe the best breakfast food ever: French toast. While most French toast recipes are sugar bombs that will send even non-diabetic blood sugar levels skyrocketing, you can make several tweaks to enjoy this staple without worrying about the consequences.

This apple walnut recipe from the ADA uses whole grain bread and fresh-cut apples for a fibrous and filling breakfast.

While toppings such as maple syrup should be enjoyed in cautious moderation, there are several no-sugar maple-flavored syrups on the market. Many of these syrups are sweetened with monk fruit, which the FDA has approved as safe for people with diabetes as it does not alter blood sugar levels.

Bread choice is also critical. Look for a low-carb or low-glycemic whole wheat or whole grain bread that contains no added sugars. Dip one or two slices of this bread into an egg wash mixed with unsweetened milk of your choice, and fry the toast on a hot skillet.

Top your French toast with nut butter or sliced nuts, fresh fruit, and zero-sugar syrup for added flavor.

Managing diabetes shouldn’t take the pleasure out of the day's most important meal. Steering clear of high-glycemic foods like processed white bread and added sugars goes a long way toward preventing dangerous blood sugar spikes and other complications associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The options above are both diabetic-friendly and delicious. Make more of your morning with these easy-to-prepare meals.

Sources:

• American Diabetes Association (n.d.). Breakfast. Diabetes Food Hub. www.diabetesfoodhub.org
  
• Harvard Health (2023, April 14). A good guide to good carbs: The glycemic index. www.health.harvard.edu
  
• National Institutes of Health (n.d.). Diabetes Diet, Eating, & Physical Activity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. www.niddk.nih.gov
  
• Sochol, K. M., Johns, T. S., Buttar, R. S., Randhawa, L., Sanchez, E., Gal, M., Lestrade, K., Merzkani, M., Abramowitz, M. K., Mossavar-Rahmani, Y., & Melamed, M. L. (2019). The Effects of Dairy Intake on Insulin Resistance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Nutrients, 11(9), 2237. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092237