A recent study from UBC Okanagan suggests that a small change to the first meal of the day might help people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) manage their blood sugar more effectively.
The researchers found that swapping a traditional low-fat breakfast for one that’s low in carbohydrates but higher in protein and fat could make a big difference.
For people with T2D, one of the biggest challenges is keeping their blood sugar stable after eating. Blood sugar levels often spike quickly after meals, especially when they contain a lot of carbs.
These spikes can cause problems over time, increasing the risk of inflammation, heart disease, and other complications. Keeping blood sugar more stable is important for long-term health.
The idea of eating fewer carbs to manage diabetes isn’t new. Low-carb diets have been shown to help control blood sugar. However, many people find it hard to stick to a low-carb diet all the time.
This study aimed to find out if just having a low-carb breakfast could still provide benefits without the difficulty of following a strict diet all day long.
The study lasted 12 weeks and involved 121 participants. They were split into two groups. One group had a low-carb breakfast each morning, while the other group ate a low-fat, high-carb breakfast.
The low-carb breakfasts contained about 8 grams of carbohydrates, 25 grams of protein, and 37 grams of fat. In contrast, the high-carb breakfasts had about 56 grams of carbohydrates, 20 grams of protein, and 15 grams of fat. Both breakfasts had the same amount of calories—about 450.
Throughout the study, participants wore devices that continuously monitored their blood sugar levels. At the beginning and end of the study, their A1C levels were also checked. A1C is a blood test that gives an idea of a person’s average blood sugar levels over a few months.
While there were no major changes in the participants’ weight or body measurements, the group that ate low-carb breakfasts showed better blood sugar control. Some even managed to reduce the amount of medication they needed to lower their blood sugar.
Additionally, their blood sugar levels were more stable throughout the day, meaning fewer sharp rises and falls.
Another interesting result was that people who had low-carb breakfasts tended to eat fewer calories and carbs for the rest of the day. This suggests that starting the day with a breakfast higher in protein and fat may have a positive effect on eating habits later on.
Dr. Oliveira, who led the study, said that the goal wasn’t to recommend a completely different diet. Instead, the focus was on making a simple change to just one meal—the first meal of the day.
This small adjustment could make it easier for people with T2D to stick to a healthy eating plan while still getting important benefits.
For many people, controlling blood sugar in the morning can be difficult, so eating a low-carb breakfast might be a practical solution.
It helps keep blood sugar stable throughout the day and could improve overall health. Even though this study didn’t involve a complete diet overhaul, the results are promising.
If you’re interested in diabetes management, other studies have shown that drinking green tea might help lower the risk of death in people with diabetes. In addition, metformin, a common diabetes drug, might protect against cognitive decline.
Further research has found that eating blueberries can greatly benefit people with metabolic syndrome, and it’s important to be aware of diabetes medications that may increase the risk of heart attacks.
This study was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and what you need to know about avocado and type 2 diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about how to eat to prevent type 2 diabetes, and 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes.
