Skipping breakfast?

A bad idea for type 2 diabetics.

New research suggests that for individuals with type 2 diabetes, skipping the morning meal may wreak havoc on blood sugar levels for the rest of the day. Furthermore, skipping any meal including breakfast may actually increase your blood sugar and cause you to gain weight.

In a recent study by Daniela Jakubowicz, of the Diabetes Unit Wolfson Medical Center,) Jakubowicz theorized that skipping breakfast would not be healthy, but she was surprised to see such a high degree of deterioration of glucose metabolism based on participants who did not eat breakfast. Jakubowicz findings went on to reveal that skipping breakfast also increased post meal blood sugars after lunch and dinner in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Other findings included,

  • Individuals with type 2 diabetes, especially if they are overweight or obese, should eat breakfast that included protein along with carbohydrate.
  • Protein is an important component of any breakfast. Increasing the content of proteins [such as] tuna, salmon, cheese, chicken, or turkey will lead to decrease of hunger. Proteins also include eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese or beans. Visit the My Plate website for the diabetes MyPlate guide.
  • Eating a big breakfast and a light dinner may be beneficial. Researchers found that individuals with type 2 diabetes who ate a big breakfast and a light dinner had blood sugar levels that were 20 percent lower than people who had a small breakfast and big dinner.

Jakubowicz' final advice for people with type 2 diabetes is simple: "Never skip breakfast."

This study did not included type 1 diabetics. It is also important to note that for women who are pregnant with diabetes, gestational diabetes, skipping meals isn't healthy for the baby and could lead to excessive weight gain.

Always remember to check with your health care provider or diabetes nurse educator to learn more about a diet care plan personalized to manage your diabetes. For more on diabetes nutrition and diabetes self-management visit the Michigan State University Extension diabetes page

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