Researchers from UBC Okanagan have led an international team suggesting a simple change to the first meal of the day to help individuals living with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) better control their blood sugar levels.
The findings of their study, which are published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, propose swapping a traditional western-style low-fat breakfast to a low-carb meal, high in protein and fat.
This minor change alone has shown to assist in managing blood sugar for the rest of the day.
“We’re not advocating for a complete diet transformation,” explains Dr. Barbara Oliveira.
“One significant issue for people living with T2D is large or rapid increases in blood glucose levels after a meal.
Our research indicates that a low-carbohydrate meal in the morning can help control blood sugar levels throughout the day.”
Lowering Risk of Complications
Regulating glucose levels is vital for reducing T2D complications, including inflammation and cardiovascular disease—major causes of illness in T2D patients.
“Treatment strategies that help lower post-meal glucose fluctuations are crucial for managing this condition,” Dr. Oliveira adds.
Low-carb diets have gained popularity recently for improving glucose control. Yet, maintaining such a diet can be challenging in the long run.
Dr. Oliveira and Dr. Jonathan Little proposed focusing only on the first meal of the day being low-carb to assess its effect on diet adherence and, importantly, blood glucose levels.
The Study: The Power of a Low-Carb Breakfast
Their 12-week study involved 121 participants split into two groups. One group consumed low-carb breakfasts comprising approximately 8g of carbohydrates, 25g of protein, and 37g of fat.
The other group was advised to eat low-fat, higher-carb options containing about 56g of carbohydrates, 20g of protein, and 15g of fat. Each breakfast option provided 450 calories.
Participants wore a continuous glucose monitoring device throughout the study, and A1C blood tests were carried out before and after the 12 weeks to measure average blood sugar levels.
Participants also recorded their feelings of satiety, energy, and activity levels throughout the study.
The Results: Stabilizing Blood Sugar Levels
While there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding weight, BMI, or waist circumference, the low-carb group saw a reduction in blood sugar levels, with some able to reduce their glucose-lowering medication.
The low-carb group also had significantly lower glycemic variability, suggesting the benefits of a low-carbohydrate breakfast for stabilizing blood sugars throughout the day.
Interestingly, those who had a low-carb breakfast reported a lower intake of calories and carbohydrates for the rest of the day.
This suggests that a breakfast high in fat and protein, while low in carbs, can influence daily eating habits.
“A breakfast with fewer carbs not only better aligns with how individuals with T2D manage glucose throughout the day, but also has potential for those who struggle with their glucose levels in the morning,” says Dr. Oliveira.
“By adjusting the carb content of a single meal instead of the entire diet, we have the potential to improve adherence significantly while still obtaining significant benefits.”
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that pomace olive oil could help lower blood cholesterol, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that blueberries strongly benefit people with metabolic syndrome, and results showing eggs in a plant-based diet may benefit people with type 2 diabetes.
The study was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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