We have all heard it said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  It sets the tone for our day, and the nutrition – or lack thereof – that we eat at breakfast will affect our energy levels and overall mood for the rest of the day.  For diabetics, this first meal is even more important, and what you eat in the morning can have far-reaching consequences throughout the day.

Due to hormones associated with what is known as the “Dawn Phenomenon,” blood sugar levels can be higher in the morning than later in the day.  A meal that would have no dramatic impact on blood sugar at lunch can cause those numbers to soar through the roof at breakfast.  That means you should really focus on your postprandial readings at breakfast.

For me, my carb limit was about 15 grams for breakfast.  Anything over that would cause my numbers to increase.  Also, a high protein breakfast seemed to work a lot better, not only for my numbers but also for keeping me satisfied until lunch.  Unfortunately, there are only so many ways to cook eggs before you never want to look at another chicken again.

I have also found that a higher carb breakfast will cause more fluctuation in my levels throughout the day.  I don’t know why this is, but the numbers didn’t lie – anytime I got higher than about 20 grams of carbs, I would have a bigger fluctuation in blood sugar numbers, and I would feel more highs and lows during the day.

So if you can focus only on meal for your diabetic diet, let it be breakfast.  It truly is the most important meal of the day.