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 are some good breakfast ideas for a diabetic? ›

Nutritious breakfast options options that can help balance blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes can include plain Greek yogurt with berries, eggs, and some low carb options such as a frittata with protein or an avocado smoothie.

What is the best breakfast meat for diabetics? ›

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.

What is a savoury breakfast for diabetics? ›

Savoury breakfasts

It's OK to have an occasional sausage or rasher of bacon, but try grilling instead of frying and remove any visible fat. You could also try topping wholegrain toast with scrambled egg or egg bhurji, avocado, cottage cheese with edamame beans and tomatoes, or grilled tomatoes and mushrooms.

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.

What foods 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

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 breakfast foods don't raise blood sugar? ›

To keep your blood sugar stable, opt for carb sources that release energy slowly. Oats, whole wheat bread, and fruit, are good choices, dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine said. For a protein-packed breakfast, try baked oats, chia pudding, or avocado and eggs on wholegrain toast.

Should diabetics eat first thing in the morning? ›

A good rule of thumb, Moyer says, is to eat within one hour of waking up. It is optimal for people with diabetes to eat carbohydrates that contains fiber. Carbohydrates that contain fiber are digested and absorbed slower than those without.

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 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 many scrambled eggs can a diabetic eat for breakfast? ›

How many eggs can be eaten by people with type 2 diabetes? Recent studies1,2,3 have concluded that eating up to 12 eggs per week has no impact on cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose or insulin levels for people with type 2 diabetes.

Can diabetics eat scrambled eggs for breakfast? ›

Eggs are a low-carbohydrate food and have a very low glycemic index score. This makes them a good source of protein for people with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) state that eggs are a suitable food for people with diabetes.

Is peanut butter good for diabetics? ›

Individuals with diabetes need foods that can help manage blood sugar and weight. Peanuts and peanut butter can be a powerful ally to reaching success. Peanuts and peanut butter have a low glycemic index, which means they don't cause blood sugar to rise sharply.

Is scrambled egg on toast good for diabetics? ›

“A diabetes-friendly breakfast is one that includes a combination of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats in the right proportions, which helps balance blood sugar,” says Al Bochi. A simple diabetes-friendly breakfast she recommends is a plate of eggs and avocado on whole-grain toast.

What is a good substitute for bread for diabetics? ›

Share article
  • Lettuce wraps. A good substitute for pita bread or tortilla wraps is lettuce. ...
  • Portobello mushroom buns. Large portobello mushrooms can be cooked and used like burger buns. ...
  • Bell pepper sandwich. ...
  • Cucumber sub. ...
  • Aubergine roll ups. ...
  • Almond bread.
Jan 15, 2019

What should I eat for breakfast to avoid sugar? ›

Low-sugar breakfast recipes
  • Breakfast egg wraps. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
  • Air-fryer boiled eggs. A star rating of 0 out of 5. ...
  • Potato fritters. A star rating of 3.5 out of 5. ...
  • Breakfast burrito. A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. ...
  • Low-sugar granola. ...
  • Oat & chia porridge. ...
  • Tomato baked eggs. ...
  • Healthy pancakes.

Are scrambled eggs a good diabetic breakfast? ›

Protein-rich foods like eggs can play an important role in regulating blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. Plus, eggs contain many essential vitamins and minerals, and have just 80 calories each.

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