Breakfast is an important meal for everyone, but it is especially important for people with diabetes. When it comes to controlling blood sugar, eating nutritious foods in moderate amounts at regularly scheduled meal times can make a big difference. To keep your blood sugar within normal range, be sure to include a healthy breakfast every morning with a consistent amount of carbohydrates. The American Diabetes Association suggests 45 to 60 g of carbohydrates at each meal to start.
Hot Cereal
Carbohydrate-containing foods, including starches, fruits, milk and yogurt, raise blood-sugar levels. Controlling the amount you eat at breakfast by controlling your portion intake can help you better manage your diabetes and blood sugar. Hot cereal makes a healthy breakfast meal, especially during the colder months. A 1/2 cup serving of any hot cereal, including oatmeal, grits and farina, contains 15 g of carbohydrate. Add some fruit and a cup of milk and you have a balanced, healthy breakfast. A sample meal may include 1 cup of cooked hot oatmeal with 2 tbsp. of raisins and 1/2 cup of skim milk.
Cold Cereal
Cold cereal also makes a healthy breakfast meal. Choose unsweetened cereals with at least 2.5 g of fiber per serving. A 45 to 60 g carbohydrate breakfast meal with cold cereal may include 3/4 cup serving of unsweetened whole-grain cold cereal, 1 cup of skim milk and 1 slice of whole-wheat toast with 1 tsp. of margarine.
Egg Sandwich
Eggs are a good source of protein, and when added to the breakfast meal can help improve satiety. An egg sandwich can be a fun, healthy way to eat breakfast. Cook one egg omelet style and place on a whole-wheat toasted English muffin and add 1 slice of fat-free cheese and 1 slice of Canadian bacon and serve with a medium banana. If you have high cholesterol, limit your intake of egg yolks to two a week, and instead use egg whites or egg substitutes. You can also substitute a bagel for the English muffin, but choose a 2 oz. bagel to control your carbohydrate intake.
Breakfast Shake
If you have trouble eating breakfast, try drinking it in the form of healthy smoothie. Blend 1 cup of skim milk with two servings of your favorite fruits, such as a small banana and 1 1/4 cups of whole strawberries, 1 tsp. of wheat germ or 1 tsp. of peanut butter and ice. You can also use nonfat yogurt instead of skim milk.
French Toast
French toast made with whole-wheat bread, skim milk and egg whites can also be a healthy breakfast option for the diabetic. A carbohydrate- balanced meal would include two slices of whole-wheat french toast with 2 tbsp. of light pancake syrup and 1 cup of skim milk to drink.
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