Breakfast options

[HSSS]

Thanks guys. I can tolerate a small banana as a snack and my diabetic nurse has okd that. It's mainly the milk and Weetabix I'm confused about.

The same nurse that recommended weetabix ok’d banana? Enough said. She has no idea of what the carbs in these do to readings and is giving out generic advice based on a low fat high carb eatwell plate not very helpful to a type 2. Your testing already shows the weetabix isn’t good for your bloods. There’s a good chance the banana takes it higher than it should too. Try berries instead.

The downside of the nice tasting yogurt is that there’s no fat in it. Without so many carbs we use fat to fill us up. This does have more protein though so as bad hunger wise as other low fat options. Or stir a tablespoon of cream through it

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I'm afraid your dieticians advice is bad. Fortunately I have a lovely DN who is up to date and encourages me to reduce my carbs if my HBa1C starts to rise. Avoid Weetabix if you can and only one if you do have them.

 

[Audrey85]

The same nurse that recommended weetabix ok’d banana? Enough said. She has no idea of what the carbs in these do to readings and is giving out generic advice based on a low fat high carb eatwell plate not very helpful to a type 2. Your testing already shows the weetabix isn’t good for your bloods. There’s a good chance the banana takes it higher than it should too. Try berries instead.

The downside of the nice tasting yogurt is that there’s no fat in it. Without so many carbs we use fat to fill us up. This does have more protein though so as bad hunger wise as other low fat options. Or stir a tablespoon of cream through it

No I don't eat fruit with the Weetabix. I've been given advice from the diabetic nurse, consultant diabetic doctor and dietician who deals with pregnant women. After reading what others have said I think I didn't realise the Weetabix had so many carbs and I was stupidly having 2 at breakfast! I've bought some fat free Greek yogurt and berries so I'll try them in the morning. I might need to get a different yogurt that has higher protein and fat if that will keep me fuller for longer? This is all such a minefield. So much different information to take in. I guess I have to just try different things based on what experienced people here advise until I get it right. Wish me luck!

 

[Audrey85]

Hi. I'm afraid your dieticians advice is bad. Fortunately I have a lovely DN who is up to date and encourages me to reduce my carbs if my HBa1C starts to rise. Avoid Weetabix if you can and only one if you do have them.

I've only seen my diabetic nurse twice and she was great and very thorough but trouble is when I phone clinic to speak to her it's always some other diabetic nurse who isn't as good who gets back to me as they are so busy and understaffed. Plus it can be a 2 day wait for a response. I've only been doing all this since I found out I was pregnant and type 2 seven weeks ago so it's all very fresh and confusing! I started insulin 3 weeks ago too. I was gestational with my other pregnancy 10 years ago but sugars were pretty good and only needed bedtime insulin. I'm trying everything these professionals have advised but I feel like I can't get it quite right yet. I suppose it's early days but they've told me as the pregnancy progresses I'll need more insulin as my hormones increase. Sorry for the rant lol

 

[Audrey85]

@audrey are you T1 or T2? I have had the yoghurt recommended by @.Bethanyjayne. above and found when I tested that they were ok. When I’m working I have full fat Greek yoghurt with berries for breakfast and when home it’s either a mushroom omelette or eggs, poached or scrambled, on 1 slice of high protein bread toasted.

I'm type 2. I don't like eggs or mushrooms but will try the high protein bread. I've just bought low fat Greek yogurt and berries today but do I need a higher protein, higher fat Greek yogurt to fill me up more? Should I stay away from all granola? A couple of people I know said they can tolerate a small handful of it but from what I can see it's high in sugar and carbs.

 

[HSSS]

No I don't eat fruit with the Weetabix. I've been given advice from the diabetic nurse, consultant diabetic doctor and dietician who deals with pregnant women. After reading what others have said I think I didn't realise the Weetabix had so many carbs and I was stupidly having 2 at breakfast! I've bought some fat free Greek yogurt and berries so I'll try them in the morning. I might need to get a different yogurt that has higher protein and fat if that will keep me fuller for longer? This is all such a minefield. So much different information to take in. I guess I have to just try different things based on what experienced people here advise until I get it right. Wish me luck!

Sadly it’s not unusual for any of these professions to advise carbs. I’ve really no idea why. It’s not stupid of you to have followed their advice though. It is a bit of a minefield but testing your meals will teach you what effect each one has on YOU, which is the most important thing. We are all talking from experience not text books. Well actually some members have probably done as much diabetic specific nutritional research as many or even most of the “experts”. But if what those experts say hasn’t worked then trying what is suggested in here has to be worth a go. Good luck but I have a feeling you won’t need luck - just your meter and an open mind.

 

[Audrey85]

Sadly it’s not unusual for any of these professions do advise carbs. I’ve really no idea why. It’s not stupid of you to have followed their advice though. It is a bit of a minefield but testing your meals will teach you what effect each one has on YOU, which is the most important thing. We are all talking from experience not text books. Well actually some members have probably done as much diabetic specific nutritional research as many or even most of the “experts”. But if what those experts say hasn’t worked then trying what is suggested in here has to be worth a go. Good luck but I have a feeling you won’t need luck - just your meter and an open mind.

Thank you for the advice. The professionals keep telling me I need a small amount of carbs with each meal but so many on here say avoid. I test 1 hour after every meal and have been doing so for 7 weeks and this will continue for the rest of pregnancy. I will keep to the low carb diet and testing when baby is here. Just feeling very overwhelmed by it all just now. I appreciate everyone's support.

 

[HSSS]

I've only been doing all this since I found out I was pregnant and type 2 seven weeks ago so it's all very fresh and confusing! I started insulin 3 weeks ago too. I

Ok this is relevant. Is it gestational diabetes or straight forward type 2 that predates pregnancy? Very relevant that you are on insulin. Please update your profile to reflect these facts.

By reducing carbs it may well effect the amount of insulin you need ie less will be required and it’s possible that taking the current amount but with significantly lower carbs could result in numbers going too low and hypo. Please monitor levels very closely and adjust things slowly and talk to your team about what you are doing so they can make sure the insulin matches your diet.

Edited to add that they may try and insist you add carbs to meet your meds. Particularly as they seem to be eatwell based but you never know if you can get a forward thinking nurse. In my personal opinion this is the wrong way round and medication should assist lifestyle where required not dictate it.

 

[HSSS]

Have a look in our pregnancy area too

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/gestational-diabetes.21/

 

[Audrey85]

Ok this is relevant. Is it gestational diabetes or straight forward type 2 that predates pregnancy? Very relevant that you are on insulin. Please update your profile to reflect these facts.

By reducing carbs it may well effect the amount of insulin you need ie less will be required and it’s possible that taking the current amount but with significantly lower carbs could result in numbers going too low and hypo. Please monitor levels very closely and adjust things slowly and talk to your team about what you are doing so they can make sure the insulin matches your diet.

Edited to add that they may try and insist you add carbs to meet your meds. Particularly as they seem to be eatwell based but you never know if you can get a forward thinking nurse. In my personal opinion this is the wrong way round and medication should assist lifestyle where required not dictate it.

I already put that I was on insulin and type 2 on my profile when I signed up as it asks all those questions so not sure why it isn't showing up.

 

[HSSS]

I already put that I was on insulin and type 2 on my profile when I signed up as it asks all those questions so not sure why it isn't showing up.

Me neither. Can you try again and see if it works this time? If not maybe a mod can help

 

[MeiChanski]

I'm type 2. I don't like eggs or mushrooms but will try the high protein bread. I've just bought low fat Greek yogurt and berries today but do I need a higher protein, higher fat Greek yogurt to fill me up more? Should I stay away from all granola? A couple of people I know said they can tolerate a small handful of it but from what I can see it's high in sugar and carbs.

If you look at the main macros - carbs, protein and fat. Reducing carbs means you’ll have to increase either fat or protein to keep your hunger at bay and BG more steady. There are high protein yogurts but do check the “of which carbohydrates” on the nutritional label.
A lot of breads, pastas, oats, cereals, some sauces, certain fruits, rices, anything potato is off the grid for T2s. So it’ll be quite a meaty protein veggie plate of food.
Those who can tolerate it have tried and tested - so keep testing. We are all different If you want granola and have some time to prepare it, there are a few low carb/keto recipes online and on this forum.

 

[DAC84]

I'm also struggling to know what to eat for breakfast. I have pre-diabetes and have been told to cut down on sugar mainly. I just don't know what I should be eating. Not even for breakfast, any meal

 

[Member496333]

I'm also struggling to know what to eat for breakfast. I have pre-diabetes and have been told to cut down on sugar mainly. I just don't know what I should be eating. Not even for breakfast, any meal

Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy. Choose any combination you wish.

 

[resander]

Here is a bit more information about Weetabix, various milks and some other breakfast cereals too:

100g Weetabix Carb= 75.5 GI=75 GL=57 (Carb 13g/biscuit)

100ml Cows milk Carb= 4.5 GI=34 GL=2
100ml Goats milk Carb= 4.4 GI=34 GL=1
100ml Sheeps milk Carb= 5.1 GI=34 GL=2

100ml unsweetened Soya milk Carb= 0.5 GI=40 GL=0
100ml sweetened Soya milk Carb= 2.5 GI=40 GL=1
100ml Tesco unsweetened Almond milk Carb= 1.3 GI=25 GL=?
100ml Tesco sweetened Almond milk Carb= 2.8 GI=? GL=?

This shows all milks have very good GI and GL values and will not affect blood sugars much. Not so for Weetabix with very high GI and GL values.

The following breakfast cereals are even worse:
100g Corn Flakes Carb= 89.6 GI=93 GL=83
100g Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes Carb= 91.6 GI=93 GL=83
100g Choco Cornflakes Carb= 84 GI=85 GL=71


Glycemic Index GI (max 100) describes how quickly carbohydrates in foods are converted to blood sugar.

GI less than 55: Low rate
GI 56-69: Medium rate
GI more than 70: High rate

Glycemic load GL (max 100) also takes into account food amount which is usually 100g.
GL less than 11: Low
GL 11-19: Medium
GL 20 or higher: High

 

[Ribeiro1993]

I don't know if your taking insulin? I'm type one and what I found helped was giving my shot 20 minutes before I ate. X