Diabetes & breakfast foods

[thestrangebrew1]

I've been struggling with diabetes on & off for the last few years and only recently gotten control of my sugar levels through proper dieting and exercising. When I say only recently, I just mean that I've been taking the disease for granted the last few years and just ate whatever so long as I took my meds (glipizide & metformin, no insulin). This last check up my A1C was high, like 11 or something like that so I decided enough is enough and really started to pay attention to my diet.

I've gotten into the habit of making my lunch and dinner meals pre-planned and prepared on Sundays so I know what I'm eating. These meals consist of primarily veggies and a meat, no carbs (I'll sneak in a 1/2 cup of white rice once in awhile for dinner). I've never really been a snacker, but at meals I'd go for seconds no questions asked. Now, I bring a bag of mixed veggies/nuts, sugar free candies etc to snack on. I think I'm on the right track as for the last 2 wks my sugar levels have been the best they've been in a long time, even during the times I forget to take my meds.

Breakfast is what kills me. My routine for breakfast is a package of oatmeal, maybe a small container of yogurt and sometimes an apple. I need to mix it up. I think because I'm not eating a meat, I never quite feel satiated and I get a huge urge to run to 711 and just buy a bunch of junk to make it to lunch (I don't actually do it but really want to). Now that you know my story, I guess the question is, what do those of you who are diabetic do for breakfast? What kind of foods do you eat etc? Sorry for the wall of text.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Do you like eggs? I don't think you can get hungry that quickly after a cheese and veggie omelet, especially if you make it with butter.

 

[interchange]

First of all, I applaud you for getting your butt in gear for lunch and dinner. It's hard to discipline yourself but making your meals ahead of time is a great tool for people. It's exceedingly difficult to make lifestyle changes. They are possible, but typically in research studies those groups don't do well. Not that the changes don't work, just that it's so hard for people to do them.

Second, I really have to caution you on buttoning down on your diabetes control. An A1C of 11 indicates you are really stressing your body. That much hyperglycemia is going to promote catabolism of muscle and subsequently make your thirstier and hungrier. You might even lose weight, unfortunately the weight is water and muscle. Not getting that A1C under 7 is going to promote kidney disease, blindness, neuropathy, heart disease, etc. Honestly, there are a lot of docs who would have put you on insulin by now.

Back to your issue at hand, one thing I do is make a bunch of hard-boiled eggs in a batch (usually I'll by the 18-pack and use whatever is left over from previous shopping trip's eggs to boil; older eggs actually come away from the shell better). You can also make real oatmeal instead of the instant crap in batches. Although, I'd only do it as a side item and I wouldn't throw real sugar in there. Some splenda and whole fruit might be OK. The fiber of the oatmeal (real oatmeal) tends to keep my appetite at bay longer than most other breakfast foods.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Thanks guys. I love eggs and considered making a bunch to last throughout the week. I'm getting burnt out on oatmeal, but it is what it is. Boiling up some eggs would surely mix up the monotony. My A1C was high for the last 3 months. Prior to that, it was usually hovering around the 8-9 range with help of meds. I ran out and postponed refilling my meds the last 3 mos prior to labwork, hence the 11. Yea the doc was very close to putting me on insulin, but I convinced him it was just the lack of meds and that I planned taking better care of myself. I have labs in 2 months, if it doesn't go well, I'll be put on insulin.

 

[Raghu]

Oatmeal isnt a great breakfast if you are diabetic. Eggs dont spike your blood glucose the same way as oats. Do you have a blood glucose meter? You can do a simple test

1) Eat oatmeal
2) Measure blood glucose every 15/30 mins over the next 2-3 hours

The next day do the same after egg+cheese meal.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Consider doing fried eggs + black beans and sauteed spinach with salsa.

You can also make quiche with some good substitutes. (it's the egg/cheese/meat) that matters most in that and avoid crust/carbs...but you can make one and eat from it for a few days to stay true to your diet.