We constantly hear that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but this is especially true for diabetics. For type 2 diabetics, it's crucial that you enjoy an excellent filling breakfast, but eating the wrong thing could be worse than skipping breakfast altogether. Because you've been asleep for the past 8 hours your blood sugar levels could be doing crazy things, which make eating breakfast even more important.
To safely manage your diabetes, there are several common foods that you should avoid eating, especially first thing in the morning:
Doughnuts
It's tempting to sneak a doughnut (or two) when your coworker has bought two-dozen for the office, but these sugary treats are one of the worst things a person with diabetes can eat early in the morning. Not only are they loaded with sugar, but doughnuts also have an enormous amount of carbohydrates. Sugar plus carbs equals a diabetic's worst enemy in the morning. While it might be tempting to indulge in your favorite doughnut in the morning with a cup of coffee, you'll regret the decision later.
Bacon
For most people, bacon is their favorite breakfast food, but for diabetics, it can be one of the worst ways to start your day. Because bacon doesn't have a ton of carbs, some might think it's a good idea to add it to every meal, but it can wreak havoc on a diet. The meat has tons of added calories with VERY little health nutritional value.
If you're craving some meat early in the morning, there are some better alternatives to the fat-filled bacon. Cooking healthier meats like turkey bacon or Canadian bacon is a much better option, but you should still be cautious of the quantity you eat.
Sugary cereals
According to a recent ABC News poll, a whopping 31% of Americans start their day with a bowl of cereal. It's quick, easy, and delicious. Plus there are hundreds of different kinds. But it can quickly turn a diabetic's day into a rollercoaster of glucose spikes. Skip the Lucky Charms and Frosted Flakes. Even if you think you're picking a "healthy" cereal, you probably aren't. Just about ALL of them have sugar and refined grains that can cause a diabetic's glucose levels to skyrocket.
If you're looking for a better cereal option, look for anything with whole grain as the main ingredient. These whole grains give you plenty of fiber to control your sugar levels throughout the rest of the day.
Instant oatmeal
Most people will find oatmeal to be the most surprising breakfast food on our list. The majority of Americans assume that oatmeal is one of the healthier breakfast items to choose from, but it can be one of the worst.
Instant oatmeal is typically flavored with additional artificial flavors, sugars, and tons of salt. While it's quick and easy to cook, it is a bad way to start your day with diabetes.
If you love oatmeal, but don't want the sugar spike, choose steel cut oats instead of the instant kind. If you're looking to spice up the oatmeal, you can add a few nuts, berries, and a tablespoon of cinnamon. Cooking the steel cut kind might take a little longer, but it will keep you from suffering those awful hyperglycemic episodes.
Pancakes
Who doesn't love a stack of fluffy pancakes with syrup? Pancake mixes are made of white flour, which is awful for anyone with diabetes. Aside from the huge amount of carbs, everyone drowns their pancakes in syrup, which is obviously loaded with sugars.
Still want to enjoy a nice stack of pancakes without wrecking your blood sugar levels? Go with a healthy whole-wheat recipe and go easy on the syrup. You can add a handful of blueberries and strawberries for added sweetness.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for diabetics. Living with diabetes is never easy. You always have to watch what you eat, but no meal is more difficult than breakfast. All of the easy meals you can grab on the go will leave you feeling worse than eating nothing at all. With a little preparation and planning, you can have a delicious and healthy meal to start your day off right.
