A new study from the University of British Columbia Okanagan has found that a simple change to your morning meal might make a big difference for people living with type 2 diabetes.
Instead of starting the day with a low-fat, high-carb breakfast, researchers suggest switching to a breakfast that’s lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein and fat. This small adjustment could help keep blood sugar levels more stable throughout the day.
One of the biggest challenges for people with type 2 diabetes is managing blood sugar spikes after meals. These sharp increases in blood sugar, especially after eating foods high in carbohydrates, can lead to long-term health problems like inflammation and heart disease.
Keeping blood sugar steady is important for avoiding these complications and maintaining overall health.
The idea of cutting back on carbs to manage diabetes isn’t new—low-carb diets have been studied for years and have shown good results. But it can be hard for many people to stick to a low-carb diet all day, every day.
That’s why the researchers wanted to know if just changing breakfast—the first meal of the day—could offer similar benefits without requiring major changes to the rest of the diet.
The study lasted 12 weeks and included 121 adults with type 2 diabetes. The participants were divided into two groups. One group ate a low-carb breakfast each day, while the other had a traditional low-fat, high-carb breakfast. Both meals had about 450 calories, but the nutrient makeup was different.
The low-carb breakfasts included around 8 grams of carbs, 25 grams of protein, and 37 grams of fat. The high-carb breakfasts had about 56 grams of carbs, 20 grams of protein, and 15 grams of fat.
During the study, participants wore continuous glucose monitors that tracked their blood sugar levels throughout the day. Researchers also measured their A1C levels at the start and end of the study. A1C is a common test that shows average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months.
While neither group saw big changes in weight or body size, the group eating low-carb breakfasts had better blood sugar control overall. Their blood sugar levels were more stable, and some participants were even able to lower the amount of diabetes medication they needed.
On top of that, people in the low-carb group ate fewer calories and carbohydrates later in the day, suggesting that a healthier breakfast may lead to healthier choices for the rest of the day.
Dr. Jonathan Oliveira, the lead researcher, emphasized that the goal of the study wasn’t to promote a strict or extreme diet. Instead, the idea was to find a small, manageable change that people could realistically stick to. For many people, mornings are the hardest time to manage blood sugar, so a low-carb breakfast could be a helpful starting point.
Even though this change might seem small, the results are encouraging. A better breakfast can lead to more stable blood sugar throughout the day, fewer medication needs, and potentially fewer long-term health risks.
Other research has also highlighted easy ways to support diabetes management. For example, drinking green tea has been linked to a lower risk of death in people with diabetes.
The common diabetes drug metformin may help protect against memory loss, and eating blueberries might benefit those with metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, some diabetes medications may increase the risk of heart attacks, so it’s important to stay informed and work closely with your doctor.
The study from UBC Okanagan was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It adds to a growing body of research showing that even small, smart changes can make a big impact on health—especially for those managing diabetes.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that flaxseed oil is more beneficial than fish oil to people with diabetes, and green tea could help reduce death risk in diabetes.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies that blueberries strongly benefit people with metabolic syndrome, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
