Breakfast advice

[SweetP1973]

I have been diagnosed with T2DM about 3 weeks ago. I was told at the appointment not to test my blood sugars. My question: what can I have for breakfast? I love cereals and usually have 4 weetabix as I don't eat lunch. The diabetic nurse at my GP's just said, cut out all sugar, chocolate and everything else like bread, potatoes, pasta to just halve what I normally have. Does this sound right? Feel like I have no idea what to do.

 

[Inka]

What was your HbA1C at diagnosis @SweetP1973 ? 4 Weetabix isn’t a good idea due to the amount of carbs plus the carbs from the milk too (and they soak up a lot!). You could try Greek yoghurt and berries instead, or an omelette.

 

[Inka]

Ah, I see from your other post that your HbA1C was 105. Definitely cut the Weetabix then. If you find it easier, you could initially have 2, then 1 plus some Greek yoghurt and berries, then just the yoghurt and berries.

 

[SweetP1973]

Thanks for the replies. Are there any cereals that would be suitable?

 

[Inka]

Thanks for the replies. Are there any cereals that would be suitable?

All Bran is one of the lowest carb normal cereals but you’d have to weigh your portion to make sure you got the recommended serving size. There are also keto cereals but a lot of them have sweeteners in so aren’t so nice. Some of the Eat Natural cereals are lower carb but, again, look at the portion size and make sure you stick to that.

You might find it easier to just have a bit of a lower carb cereal sprinkled on some Greek yoghurt and berries, if it’s the crunch you’re after.

The only way you’ll know whether particular foods/meals are suitable for you is by testing your blood sugar before eating and 2hrs after. Those results will guide your choices.

 

[Dishevelled]

I have been diagnosed with T2DM about 3 weeks ago. I was told at the appointment not to test my blood sugars. My question: what can I have for breakfast? I love cereals and usually have 4 weetabix as I don't eat lunch. The diabetic nurse at my GP's just said, cut out all sugar, chocolate and everything else like bread, potatoes, pasta to just halve what I normally have. Does this sound right? Feel like I have no idea what to do.

I was also told not to test my blood sugars. This is a serious mistake as the only way you'll know if what you're eating is affecting your BG levels is to test.

 

[Martin.A]

I was told at the appointment not to test my blood sugars. My question: what can I have for breakfast? I love cereals and usually have 4 weetabix as I don't eat lunch. The diabetic nurse at my GP's just said, cut out all sugar, chocolate and everything else like bread, potatoes, pasta to just halve what I normally have. Does this sound right? Feel like I have no idea what to do.

Ignore what you were told about testing. They always say that if you're not on glucose-lowering meds. As has been said, how are you supposed to know whether what you're doing is having the required effect? I was testing from Day 1 and over the next few weeks I saw my BG dropping from 20.5, through the teens, and into the 5's and 6s where it has thankfully stayed.

Four Weetabix is 52g carbohydrate, plus the carbs in the milk, so with a low carb diet considered to be less than 130g per day that's likely to be around half that just for breakfast. As it happens I also have Weetabix for breakfast most days, but only one, with a mix of berries and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt. Unfortunately most breakfast cereals are high carb and are generally avoided by us T2s.

The advice about sugar and chocolate, and about cutting back on starchy things like bread, potatoes and pasta, is sound (add rice to that list) and testing before and after meals will enable you to see how much of each your body can handle.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope you find some options that are suitable @SweetP1973

Some find that oats absorb more slowly, but again it’s very individual - for others on the forum (including me) they are like rocket fuel!

Getting a BG meter with affordable strips and checking immediately before meals, and again 2hrs after the first bite can really help you to see how your body reacts to different sources and portion-sizes of carbs. Everyone has different tolerances.

Try not to worry if you see higher numbers than you’d like initially. Focus more on the differences between them, and trying to get the 2hr number no more than 2-3mmol/L higher than the ‘before’.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

It sounds as if you haven't been given the best dietary advice but what approach you take will partly depend on what medication you have been prescribed and I would expect that you would have been with an HbA1C in 3 figures.
However if you read the introduction in this link it will give you a better idea of what making some dietary changes will involve, It is a low carb approach which MAY be suitable depending on the medications. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

 

[zuludog]

Here are a few comments -

To adapt your breakfast and other meals for diabetes you need to do a bit of homework; read labels; do simple maths
But it's not difficult and you soon get used to it

As mentioned, reduce the number of Weetabix and add yogurt & berries
Consider other low carb cereals like All Bran and bran flakes, but do your homework
You can reduce the cost by looking for supermarket and other own label items
Also to reduce the cost, instead of fresh berries look for frozen & mixed berries & fruit that are sold in Iceland and other stores, intended for making Smoothies

Instead of cereals consider something like a small amount of dense bread or oatcakes with cheese, cold meat, eggs, tomatoes, and so on

One way or another, obtain a blood glucose meter; you can't really control your diet, blood glucose, and so on without one

 

[Taffyboyslim]

Eggs !

2 or 3 in an omelette with mushrooms , cheese , spinach , onion

Protein fills me up ....till lunchtime


Twice a week I have sausage , bacon , tomatoes ....protein !

Twice a week a mix of granola , yoghurt , blueberries and nuts ....

Thats carbs but also protein and fat

 

[paultrose]

Eggs again here

Fave is ommlette with peppers mushrrom and cherry tomatos chopped up....i got a great ommlette maker for 7 quid somewhere......or 2 soft boiled eggs with a single slice of gluten free toast to dip.........or scrambled on toast

Lots of protein and minimal everything else

 

[saffron15]

I've learned to enjoy full fat yoghurt with raspberries blueberries or blackberries. I buy the Greek one from M and S because the shop is close to where I get the bus if visiting the city. However if I drive in the opposite direction I buy Lidl Greek style and last week their Spanish raspberries were very good. In August I used to go on a five minute walk first thing to pick blackberries for my breakfast i also sometimes add seeds and or nuts, I like hazelnuts but careful not too many and checkout the carbs not all nuts are the same. I sometimes have scrambled egg and smoked salmon or a mushroom omlette. If you have a fry up out say no to fried bread and hash browns, I don't like baked beans but they are a but carby too.
I'm fine with breakfast but am finding other meals tricky. I found low carb between 80 and 120 ( i was keeping to this allowing additional 10 carbs if temptation or changed plans)easy. I generally ignore calories However I was then put on a drug where I knew I shouldn't go as low as 80 and I am a bit off course and not now losing weight. I had lost 12 kgs, but I haven't gained either. I think I'm adding too many carbs now. Today I had a toasted tea cake in a cafe and after a dental appointment bread with soup. I also remembered my sister had given me lots of the little green and black choc bars. I'd said I didn't want an advent calendar. I have eaten one a day having said I wouldn't. Have got my hba1c blood test Tuesday so will now stay off them. I'm having an avocado, courgette and green salad tonight.
The freshwell site is excellent.

 

[medidia]

I have been diagnosed with T2DM about 3 weeks ago. I was told at the appointment not to test my blood sugars. My question: what can I have for breakfast? I love cereals and usually have 4 weetabix as I don't eat lunch. The diabetic nurse at my GP's just said, cut out all sugar, chocolate and everything else like bread, potatoes, pasta to just halve what I normally have. Does this sound right? Feel like I have no idea what to do.

Cereals, porridge and smoothies don't work for me, they either raise my BG, or they make me very hungry after 1 hr or so. Greek yogurt with nuts/seeds and a piece of fruit works well. I like low carb granola, but it's too expensive, I'll probably make my own.