HiAA,
Anyone eating two slices of toast would expect to see a rise in the readings as you have nothing to offset the carbs.. Try one slice and add some protein and fat to it and you should see a difference. Try cheese on toast, egg on well buttered toast, haddock/kippers with bread and butter, one slice, and readings should be lower. You could add some mushrooms to a suitable dish.
The dawn phenomenon can affect some people badly and their fasting levels are always higher than they would like.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose/dawn-phenomenon.html
Well done for experimenting and I hope the more you try then the easier it will become to understand. We have all been where you are now and know the feelings of frustration when things do not go according to plan. The more food groups you incorporate in a meal, the lower the reading.