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 is the best thing to eat for breakfast when you have diabetes? ›

High fiber options:

Oatmeal and other whole grain breads or cereals. Fruit, especially berries, apples, pears, avocado. Seeds like chia, flax, or hemp seeds. Adding 1-2 tablespoons to a smoothie, cereal, or yogurt is an easy way to boost fiber in your breakfast.

What breakfast does not raise blood sugar? ›

These delicious and portable egg muffins can be made in advance, refrigerated, and reheated for a quick and nutritious breakfast.
  • Overnight chia pudding. Chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats. ...
  • Greek yogurt parfait. ...
  • Avocado toast with whole grain bread. ...
  • Quinoa breakfast bowl.

What is a good breakfast sandwich for diabetics? ›

Make healthy swaps — for example, make your breakfast sandwich on a whole-grain, high-fiber English muffin, toast, or bagel and swap out 2% cheese for full-fat cheese and Canadian bacon for turkey bacon. Change out sides like hash browns for more nutritious options, such as fruit or yogurt.

What should diabetics drink first thing in the morning? ›

Drinking enough water is important for everyone, but it's especially important for people with diabetes. Aim for at least eight cups of water per day and try to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.

What food can diabetics eat freely? ›

Here are some examples of free foods for diabetics, as outlined by a committee of the American Diabetes Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
  • Carbonated water.
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Coffee or tea.
  • 1 cup raw cabbage.
  • Hard, sugar-free candy.
  • 1 cup raw cucumber.
  • 2 tablespoons whipped topping.
Jul 13, 2007

How many eggs can a diabetic eat in a day? ›

How Many Eggs Can People With Type 2 Diabetes Eat? 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 are the 5 worst foods for blood sugar? ›

10 Worst Foods for Your Blood Sugar
  • KETCHUP. ...
  • WHITE PASTA. ...
  • BAGELS. ...
  • ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS. ...
  • FRUIT JUICE. ...
  • ENERGY BARS. ...
  • LOW-FAT SWEETENED YOGURT. ...
  • SPORTS DRINKS AND ENERGY DRINKS. Energy drinks and sports drinks carry all the woes of fruit juice with the added no-no of more sugars.

What carbs don't spike blood sugar? ›

Whole Grains

Some common whole-grain foods are brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, oats, and whole-grain bread. Oats are whole grains that have been shown to improve glycemic control and insulin sensitivity, which, in turn, help keep blood sugar levels low.

What sweet doesn't raise blood sugar? ›

Natural sweeteners affect blood sugar just like other sugar sweeteners. Two exceptions to this rule are stevia and monk fruit extract. Both are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.

What can diabetics eat at McDonald's for breakfast? ›

Top diabetes-friendly McDonald's menu items
  • Sausage burrito: 310 calories, 25g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 2g sugar, 1g added sugars, 13g protein, 17g fat, 800 mg sodium.
  • Oatmeal (without diced apple, light cream, or cranberry raisin blend): 210 calories, 43g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 15g sugar, 5g protein, 140 mg sodium.
Aug 7, 2023

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 should a Type 2 diabetic eat for breakfast lunch and dinner? ›

Balance carbs with fiber and protein in each meal. This is easy if you use the plate method. Make half of your plate vegetables, a quarter of your plate a carb like brown rice, black beans, or whole-wheat pasta, and the other quarter of your plate a healthy protein like chicken breast, fish, lean meat, or tofu.

How can I flush sugar out of my system fast? ›

Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.

What are the 3 worst drinks for blood sugar? ›

The 3 worst drinks
  • regular soda.
  • energy drinks that contain sugar.
  • fruit juices.

What is the red drink that lowers blood sugar? ›

According to the American Diabetes Association, drinking red wine — or any alcoholic beverage — can lower blood sugar for up to 24 hours.

Should you eat breakfast in the morning if your blood sugar is high? ›

As per experts, people with diabetes shouldn't be in rush to have breakfast first thing in the morning as this is the time when your body's blood sugar levels are naturally high. If you eat immediately after waking up, you will find it difficult to manage diabetes the entire day.

What is the best snack for diabetics? ›

The 21 Best Snack Ideas If You Have Diabetes
  1. Hard-Boiled Eggs. Hard-boiled eggs are a healthy snack for people with diabetes. ...
  2. Yogurt with Berries. ...
  3. Handful of Almonds. ...
  4. Veggies and Hummus. ...
  5. Avocado. ...
  6. Sliced Apples with Peanut Butter. ...
  7. Beef Sticks. ...
  8. Roasted Chickpeas.

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 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.

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