20 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes (2024)

By: SPARK_MRUDY, SparkPeople Blogger
2/13/2018 12:00 AM : 105 comments

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People have been going round and round about the great breakfast debate for decades. Some say it’s essential to start every morning with a meal, and that it could even help to boostweight loss. Others swear byintermittent fasting, skipping breakfast altogether. Then there’s the age-old question of whether to eatbefore or after exercising (spoiler alert: there’s no one right answer).

Wherever you fall in the great breakfast divide, most experts agree on one thing: A healthy breakfast is even more important for those who have Type 2 diabetes. A2014 study published in the journal Chronobiology International found that it was more difficult for participants to keep their blood sugar levels under control when they skipped breakfast.

“Eating breakfast helps to regulate blood sugar levels for the rest of the day. It [also] helps to prevent overeating at meals and snacks (which can help prevent consuming too many carbohydrates at one sitting) and it has been found to be beneficial in promoting healthy weight maintenance,” registered dietitian and author Erin Palinski-Wade toldEveryday Health.

That said, not all breakfasts are equally beneficial, especially if diabetes is a factor. Registered dietitianToby Amidor recommends limiting morning meals to a maximum of 30 grams of sugar, and says it’s important to balance the amount of carbs with the person’s height and weight.

“Many folks think if you have diabetes, you shouldn’t have any carbs, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” she says. “Your body needs carbs for energy, but it has to be balanced with the amount of insulin and should be eaten in small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day.”

Stuck in a breakfast rut? Try adding some of thesediabetes-friendly day starters to your morning rotation.

1.Healthy Egg Muffins with Lean Turkey Bacon: Extremely low in sugar and high in protein, these healthy muffins are infused with a veggie boost.


Image courtesy of Diabetes Strong

2.Low-Carb Omelette: Thanks to a little help from Jamie Oliver and Julia Child, this low-carb tomato omelette is a particularly special one.


Image courtesy of Hurry the Food Up

3.Whole Wheat French Toast with Quick Berry Sauce: Sweets are not off of the menu for diabetes-friendly eating, but registered dietitian Toby Smithson recommends getting the sweetness from healthy whole foods like the strawberries and raspberries included in this berry sauce.


Image courtesy of Diabetes Everyday

4.2-Ingredient Breakfast Tacos: Made with just two ingredients, these yummy breakfast tacos keep you full and satisfied all the way till lunch.


Image courtesy of C It Nutritionally

5.Zucchini & Parmesan Baked Omelet: This healthy breakfast is high in protein, vegetarian and low in sugar.


Image courtesy of The Seasoned Mom

6.Cottage Cheese Pancakes: Cottage cheese, oats and eggs are all staples of a solid diabetes-suitable breakfast, and this recipe turns all three into an easy-to-cook pancake that keeps you feeling full all morning.


Image courtesy of Hurry the Food Up

7.Sweet Potato Toast: This super-easy toast can be dressed up with all sorts of different sweet and savory toppings.


Image courtesy of Family Food on the Table

8.Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies: Sugar-free oatmeal breakfast cookies are made with whole grain oats, seeds, coconut oil and dates.


Image courtesy of Occasionally Eggs

9.Lemon and Garlic Brussels Sprout Breakfast Bowl: Loaded with veggies, this breakfast gets protein from an egg and is low in sugar.


Image courtesy of Foraged Dish

10Healthy Morning Glory Gingerbread: This moist, tender gingerbread is full of delicious spices and flavors, but no refined flour or sugar—and only 144 calories per serving.


Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking

11.Individual Breakfast Casseroles: Made with eggs, whole wheat bread, veggies and cheese, these mini casseroles can be customized to suit everyone’s needsincluding low-carb, dairy-free or vegetarian.


Image courtesy of Family Food on the Table

12. Yogurt and Blueberry Parfait:Alissa Rumsey, founder of Alissa Rumsey Nutrition and Wellness, recommends this easy recipe. Combine plain two percent Greek yogurt with a few spoonfuls of your favorite nuts and fresh or frozen blueberries. "Blueberries have a low glycemic index, meaning they don't raise your blood sugar as quickly as other foods," says Rumsey. "Blueberries have also been shown to help improve HbA1C levels in people with Type 2 diabetes who ate three servings per week. Greek yogurt provides protein and fat, which helps to slow digestion, helping with blood sugar control."

13.Grain-Free Banana Nut Waffles: The natural fats in the almond flour will slow your absorption of the sweetness from the bananas—add yogurt or other toppings instead of syrup.


Image courtesy of Foraged Dish

14.Freezer-Friendly Western Omelet Egg Muffins: Prep ahead for a healthy week with these light, flavorful and high-protein egg muffins.


Image courtesy of The Seasoned Mom

15.Scrambled Egg Muffins: Super easy to prepare, transport and display.


Image courtesy of Fannetastic Food

16.Crustless Quiche Lorraine: Without crust, this quiche Lorraine is lower in sugar and carbs than regular quiche, but full of cheesy bacon flavor.


Image courtesy of Foraged Dish

17.Protein Pancakes: Moist and fluffy, these high-protein cakes are naturally sweetened with blended blueberries.


Image courtesy of Diabetes Strong

18.Whole Wheat Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cookies: Made with whole grains and naturally sweetened, these grab-and-go cookies are perfect for busy mornings.


Image courtesy of Family Food on the Table

19.Smoked Salmon and Vegetable Egg Casserole: This high-protein, low-sugar recipe is perfect for a quick and healthy dinner, breakfast or lunch.


Image courtesy of Fannetastic Food

20.Eggs Over Avocado Bran Toast: All mornings are better with avocado toast and hot pink pickled veggies.


Image courtesy of Ilana Muhlstein

Which of these would you like to try?


20 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What breakfast does not raise blood sugar? ›

The five breakfast ideas presented here, including veggie-packed egg muffins, overnight chia pudding, Greek yogurt parfait, avocado toast with whole grain bread, and quinoa breakfast bowl, offer a range of flavors, textures, and nutrients while keeping insulin levels in check.

What are the 5 worst foods for blood sugar? ›

You limit dairy products, red meat, sweets, added sugars, sodium (salt), and highly processed foods. Some additional guidelines include focusing on seasonal produce and reading food labels to help you avoid added sodium and sugar.

Can diabetics eat bacon and eggs for breakfast? ›

Current recommendations are to eat the whole egg- and limit the bacon, sausage, ham etc. that might normally accompany an egg meal. The current recommendations suggest limiting solid saturated fats, trans fats as well as processed and red meats.

How many scrambled eggs can a diabetic eat for breakfast? ›

Both research and health experts indicate that individuals living with type 2 diabetes, or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, can include between 6 - 12 eggs per week as part of an overall healthy diet. So you can enjoy up to 2 eggs, 6 times a week.

What meals can diabetics eat freely? ›

Dinner ideas when you have diabetes
  • lasagne and salad.
  • roast chicken and vegetables, with or without potatoes.
  • beef stir-fry and vegetables, with or without brown rice.
  • chicken tortillas and salad.
  • salmon and vegetables, with or without noodles.
  • curry with chickpeas and brown rice.

What carbs don't spike blood sugar? ›

The trick is choosing complex carbs—whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and other foods with low glucose impact—meaning, they're less likely to cause those blood sugar peaks and lows.

Should diabetics eat first thing in the morning? ›

Breakfast is important for people with diabetes. It enables a person to feel full and can help keep blood glucose levels stable. Insulin sensitivity is often higher in the morning than in the evening, so an eating schedule that includes breakfast and minimizes late-night eating is preferable.

Why should diabetics avoid eggs? ›

Having diabetes can put a person at an increased risk of heart disease. Some people are concerned that eating eggs may raise cholesterol levels, and that this could increase the risk of heart disease. The ADA recommend that people eat less than 300 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per day.

What fruit should diabetics avoid? ›

On the other hand, the worst fruits for people with diabetes are those that are high in sugar but low in fiber. These include grapes, bananas, mangoes, and dried fruit such as raisins and apricots.

How do you feel when your blood sugar is too high? ›

increased thirst and a dry mouth. needing to pee frequently. tiredness. blurred vision.

Are potatoes bad for diabetics? ›

According to the diabetes association, starchy vegetables, like potatoes, are perfectly okay to include in a healthy diabetes diet. Being a complex carbohydrate, starch generally takes longer to break down in the body than simple sugars like sucrose. Therefore, starchier potatoes are the best for type 2 diabetes.

Are cheerios good for diabetics? ›

Are Cheerios okay for diabetics? Cheerios have a GI rating of 74, which classifies them as a high GI breakfast cereal. A person with diabetes should consider other cereal options instead, such as wheat bran cereals like Kellogg's All-Bran and Post 100% Bran.

What is the best meat for diabetics? ›

Beef, pork, veal and lamb
  • Select or Choice grades of beef trimmed of fat including: chuck, rib, rump roast, round, sirloin, cubed, flank, porterhouse, T-bone steak or tenderloin.
  • Lamb: chop, leg or roast.
  • Veal: loin chop or roast.
  • Pork: Canadian bacon, center loin chop, ham or tenderloin.

Is peanut butter good for diabetics? ›

Peanut butter contains essential nutrients, and it can be part of a healthful diet when a person has diabetes. However, it is important to eat it in moderation, as it contains a lot of calories. People should also make sure their brand of peanut butter is not high in added sugar, salt, or fat.

What are the three meals for diabetics? ›

Eating a carbohydrate-rich breakfast followed by a substantial lunch and a small dinner — the so-called "three-meal diet" (3Mdiet) — promotes weight loss and significantly improves glucose control in type 2 diabetes, a randomized, controlled trial suggests.

Is Quaker oatmeal good for diabetics? ›

A cup of cooked oatmeal (1/2 cup of dried oats) contains approximately 30 grams of carbs, which can fit into a nutritious meal plan for people with diabetes. Oatmeal is high in fiber and nutrients but low in saturated and trans fats and sugar and can help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

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