Protein breakfast

Verywell Health’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Barbie Cervoni MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and protein breakfast specialist.

Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Isabel Casimiro, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and works as an endocrinologist at the University of Chicago. What’s more, nearly all of the people with type 2 diabetes who were overweight who were in the big-breakfast group were able to reduce their reliance on medications. What Can We Make of This?

One possible reason their blood sugars improved is that blood sugars tend to be higher in the morning and, if you eat a large carbohydrate meal when your blood sugar is already elevated, blood sugars can remain high throughout the day. The liver produces sugar in the evening when you’re in a fasting state. Eating a lower carbohydrate meal means less sugar entering the bloodstream and less insulin needed. The end result is better blood sugars.

Last, eating a high carbohydrate breakfast such as a bagel, or large bowl of cereal may actually cause more carbohydrate cravings throughout the day, resulting in higher blood sugars. These types of foods cause blood sugars to spike at a quick rate. It is hard to generalize when it comes to diabetes, but a lower carbohydrate, higher protein meal for breakfast is likely to be beneficial. It can help with morning insulin resistance and reduce cravings throughout the day.

However, a lower carbohydrate meal does not mean no carbohydrates. What Kind of Carbohydrates Should I Eat? Complex carbohydrates that are rich in fiber and minimally processed are your best choices – particularly for breakfast. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.