Post breakfast spikes

[LizH]

Hi, I'm having a problem with post breakfast spikes. I'm type 2 and when I wake up, glucose is usually about 6.5. My breakfast consists of 20g steel rolled oats soaked in water overnight and cooked - no milk. 0% fat Greek yogurt, cinnamon, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, blueberries, Mandarin orange pieces, pomegranate seeds. I thought this was healthy and I work out at the gym each morning so need a good breakfast. Glucose shoots up to 14.5 after breakfast although it comes down quite quickly. I use Libre 2 plus CGM. Don't eat bread, rice, pasta, cakes, sweets, biscuits. Meals are usually protein + vegetables - no potatoes. HbA1C is currently 8.0. Why do I get the post breakfast spikes?
LizH

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi, I'm having a problem with post breakfast spikes. I'm type 2 and when I wake up, glucose is usually about 6.5. My breakfast consists of 20g steel rolled oats soaked in water overnight and cooked - no milk. 0% fat Greek yogurt, cinnamon, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, blueberries, Mandarin orange pieces, pomegranate seeds. I thought this was healthy and I work out at the gym each morning so need a good breakfast. Glucose shoots up to 14.5 after breakfast although it comes down quite quickly. I use Libre 2 plus CGM. Don't eat bread, rice, pasta, cakes, sweets, biscuits. Meals are usually protein + vegetables - no potatoes. HbA1C is currently 8.0. Why do I get the post breakfast spikes?
LizH

Welcome to the forum
How long after breakfast are you seeing a level of 14. Some people have a problem with oats in it causes blood glucose to increase. You may be better with having something with more protein and healthy fats as that will be more gradually metabolised, Just swap the zero fat yoghurt for full fat and see if that helps or have eggs in any form.
Also intense exercise increases blood glucose for some people where brisk walking will have less effect.
May are more sensitive to carbs in the morning, but if your 2hour post breakfast is no more than 2-3mmol/l than before then the breakfast is probably OK, your aim would be no more than 8-8.5mmol/l after 2 hours.
You may have to try a few different things to hit on the solution..

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @LizH

Breakfast time can be tricky. Insulin resistance can be higher in the mornings, and the liver can release glucose either in the early hours from about 3-4am onwards, or on waking/rising to help fire up the burners for the day. It’s part of the body’s circadian rhythm, and forum lore suggests it’s designed to help our forebears leave the cave and snaffle a woolly mammoth for breakfast. Or something

How long have you been living with diabetes? And how long have you been using Libre2+?

Many of us made really interesting discoveries when starting to use CGM. The constant flow of information meant that previously unseen BG wobbles after what we had thought to be ‘slow release’ meals were put in the spotlight!

Sounds like you’ve been working hard with your menu to try to get is as BG-friendly as possible. Hopefully with a bit more experimentation, you’ll be able to find a breakfast that fuels you for the gym, but without the short-lived BG peak.

Would it work to have breakfast after your workout? That’s a strategy suggested for T1s, as it avoids exercising with lots of insulin on board. Exercise can help improve insulin sensitivity, so you may get some spike-reduction if you eat once you’ve exercised??

 

[SB2015]

Hi, I'm having a problem with post breakfast spikes. I'm type 2 and when I wake up, glucose is usually about 6.5. My breakfast consists of 20g steel rolled oats soaked in water overnight and cooked - no milk. 0% fat Greek yogurt, cinnamon, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, blueberries, Mandarin orange pieces, pomegranate seeds. I thought this was healthy and I work out at the gym each morning so need a good breakfast. Glucose shoots up to 14.5 after breakfast although it comes down quite quickly. I use Libre 2 plus CGM. Don't eat bread, rice, pasta, cakes, sweets, biscuits. Meals are usually protein + vegetables - no potatoes. HbA1C is currently 8.0. Why do I get the post breakfast spikes?
LizH

Hi Liz

I am someone who was surprised at the impact of eating oats. When I first got a sensor I was amazed at the spike that I got from my very tasty porridge. All carb counted and insulin dose correct but I had a very big spike. I knew nothing of this before sensors as I would be back down to target by the next meal, which was the only times we tested pre-sensors (apart from hypos) . I just eliminated porridge and chose alternatives to the very tempting flapjacks and reduced the spikes (except when temptation over rules).

 

[Homer]

Hi Liz
I love my porridge at least twice a week, I’m like you the levels go up to at least 15.0 but comes down quickly, I was told by the dietitian not to worry as that is normal and oats are very good for you.

 

[JITR]

My breakfast consists of 20g steel rolled oats soaked in water overnight and cooked - no milk. 0% fat Greek yogurt, cinnamon, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, blueberries, Mandarin orange pieces, pomegranate seeds.

Try no oats, no mandarin (fresh or tinned), full fat Greek yogurt (more nutritious), 30g mixed seeds/nuts.

Suggest you look through Dr David Unwin's diet sheet and Dr Kim Andrew's simple meal planner and red amber green food lists.

 

[rebrascora]

I am another one who gave up on oats as they are like rocket fuel to my BG levels. There are other healthy options with less carbs.

My standard breakfast is now creamy (ie. full fat) natural Greek style yoghurt with a few berries (lowest carb fruits) mixed seeds and a good dusting of cinnamon. I also have coffee with real double cream. The fat from the cream and yoghurt provides slow release energy but also makes it filling and satisfying which is important, particularly when you reduce carbs.