Big Breakfasts And Diabetes: Can A Big Breakfast Improve Blood Sugar Control?

Diabetes, once it is acquired, is a lifelong condition, with the two primary types being Type 2 diabetes and Type 1 diabetes. There are cells in the pancreas known as beta cells. Their primary function is to produce the hormone insulin. Sugar from the blood moves into cells with the help of insulin, and then it is stored till the time when the body needs it.

The most common symptoms of elevated blood sugar include frequent urination, increased hunger, and increased thirst.

In the United States, 25.6 million people aged 20 and older are diagnosed with diabetes. There are also 215,000 people under the age of 20 in the US who have the same diagnosis. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and every yea, approximately $174 billion is spent on the diabetes care. 

Big breakfasts and diabetes research

Those with diabetes may benefit from eating a big breakfast rich in protein. Studies show that this may have a positive effect on fasting glucose levels, body mass index and insulin sensitivity. The research looked at consuming one-third of the normal daily calories at breakfast while ensuring that this meal is high in protein and fat. After 13 weeks on such diet, those eating a big breakfast had significant decreases in systolic blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Hunger levels were decreased throughout the day and fasting glucose was improved. 

One-third of all study participants who ate a big breakfast were able to decrease the doses of their diabetes drugs. Those who ate small breakfasts had to increase the doses of diabetes medications during the study to regulate their blood glucose levels.

Crafting a big breakfast for diabetes

On average, it is recommended that people consume the amount of food equivalent to 2,000 to 2,400 calories per day, but it is advisable to consult a health adviser to determine how many calories an individual really needs each day. Take your daily caloric intake and divide it by three to determine the amount of calories you need for your breakfast. For example, those eating 2,000 calories per day should eat a 660-calorie breakfast.

See Also: 10 Top Foods To Eat And To Avoid If You Have Diabetes

Lean meats and eggs are a good option and they can be combined to increase protein intake. Certain yogurts can also be combined with fats and proteins, making them an ideal side dish to improve the overall fat and protein intake for breakfast.

Some carbohydrates are most certainly necessary to our body, but should be kept to a minimum. Pay close attention to the proteins and fats you add and count the carbohydrates that are already there before adding any additional carbohydrate options. When you add carbohydrates, stick to complex carbohydrates, such as those in whole grains, because these break down slower in the body for more sustained energy release. When carbohydrates break down slower, they do not cause sharp blood sugar spikes and crash either, allowing you to maintain more steady levels throughout the day. You also should try to get the carbohydrate options that contain fibers to keep you satiated for a longer period of time.

Adjusting To A Big Breakfast For Diabetes

Different studies looked at different amounts of macro-nutrients, so you and your doctor need to experiment to see which works best for you. One of the commonly used ratios is approximately 50 percent protein, 30 percent healthy fats and 20 percent carbohydrates. However, some advisers recommend higher amounts of protein and very minimal amounts of carbohydrates with fats filling in the ratio.

It takes a little time to get the right amounts of macro-nutrients to ensure a big breakfast is beneficial for your blood sugar control.

If it is too high, you are eating too many carbohydrates for breakfast and need to cut back on them. It is best to remove some of the carbohydrates and replace them with proteins and fats because this combination provides long-lasting energy. Remove small amounts at a time until your blood sugar is hitting the levels that your doctor considers right for you.

High-protein breakfasts are not suitable for everyone

Despite the advantages of big protein-rich breakfasts or people with diabetes, there are concerns for the patients with a pre-existing kidney conditions. Kidneys are responsible for filtering out the wastes that are generated when proteins are ingested. Healthy kidneys have no problem filtering them out because they have millions of nephrons to do the work. However, the body of the patients with various kidney diseases is often unable to adequately remove this waste, and they get accumulated in the blood. The accumulation can get worse as kidney function decreases, resulting in higher levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen.

To reduce the buildup of waste products, the doctors usually recommend that the kidney disease patients reduce their protein intake so the kidneys can keep up with filtering out the waste. The ideal daily protein intake for someone with kidney disease varies from one patient to another. It is based on the stage of the kidney disease, body size and the overall nutritional status. Dieticians and doctors work together to help diabetic patients to get the right amount of macro-nutrients which would allow to maintain the blood sugar concentration on the right level and help in reducing the risk of further kidney damage.

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The research study on the benefits of large protein-rich breakfasts is still considered to be preliminary. The study was short in duration, and the number of patients involved in the study was small. And although the results look promising, more research is necessary to ensure that all of the conclusions are valid and the approach can be safely used for the majority of diabetes sufferers.

Before making any dietary changes, all diabetes patients should speak to their doctor.

When changing the diet, some people may also require the dosage alterations with their diabetes medications, so always work with a doctor to ensure that all changes are safe and effective.