Protein at Breakfast: The Key for All-Day Blood Sugar Control

Most diabetics know the importance of regular meals, but a new study confirms just how critical it is for blood sugar management to eat a protein-rich breakfast.

The glucose response will change depending on how much and what you eat for breakfast, explained study author Jill Kanaley, from the University of Missouri.

"In our study, we found those who ate breakfast experienced appropriate glucose responses after lunch," Kanaley said.

Protein at breakfast helps the body work better to regulate blood sugar levels, which "primes" people for a better insulin response the rest of the day, she continued.

In the study, participants who ate a high-protein breakfast had much lower post-meal glucose levels than those who ate a high-carbohydrate breakfast - even when both groups later ate the same balanced meal for lunch.

Extreme protein consumption not necessary

While protein should be a staple for people with blood sugar problems, it's not necessary for diabetics to consume extreme amounts to see benefits after breakfast.

"We suggest consuming 25 to 30 grams of protein at breakfast, which is within the range of the FDA recommendations," Kanaley said.

Based on these guidelines, enough protein could be consumed at breakfast from a few eggs, a turkey sausage and piece of whole wheat toast, for example.

"It is important for type 2 diabetics to understand that different foods will affect them differently, and to really understand how they respond to meals, they need to consistently track their glucose," Kanaley concluded.

Source: Science Daily