24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (2024)

Start your morning with these healthy breakfast recipes that are appropriate for a diabetes-friendly diet. These recipes are low in saturated fat, sodium and calories, while also having complex carbs like whole grains and legumes which will make managing your blood sugar easy and delicious. Recipes like Strawberries and Cream Pancakes and Southwest Breakfast Quesadilla are filling and nutritious.

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Pistachio & Peach Toast

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24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (1)

This breakfast is great when you have leftover ricotta cheese--plus it comes together in just 5 minutes.

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Peanut Butter & Chia Berry Jam English Muffin

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The addition of chia seeds in the quick "jam" topping adds heart-healthy omega-3s to this healthy breakfast recipe.

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Berry-Banana Cauliflower Smoothie

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Sneak in your veggies with a smoothie every morning. Riced cauliflower adds thickness and creaminess to a subtly sweet cauliflower smoothie that features the fruity flavors of bananas and berries at the forefront.

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Blueberry Muffin Bars

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With all the supersize muffins out there, portion control can be a challenge. These let you enjoy the flavors of a blueberry muffin, and easily keep track of what you eat.

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"Egg in a Hole" Peppers with Avocado Salsa

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24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (5)

Colorful bell pepper rings stand in for bread in this healthy version of egg in a hole. Cook an egg inside the peppers and top with a vibrant avocado salsa for a cheerful breakfast.

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Strawberries and Cream Pancakes

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These strawberry pancakes are a healthy alternative to traditional breakfast pancakes. With ingredients like chia seeds, oat flour and fresh strawberries, they offer nutritious benefits without sacrificing taste.

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Breakfast Beans with Microwave-Poached Egg

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In Costa Rica, this popular breakfast bean dish is called gallo pinto, which means spotted rooster, referring to the dark beans amid the pale rice. We call for cooked barley here, but you can use whatever leftover cooked grain you may have on hand.

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Southwest Breakfast Quesadilla

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Pico de gallo and cheesy eggs make this quick breakfast flavorful and satisfying.

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Quick Cauliflower Hash Browns

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A trio of frozen products that are easy to keep on hand make this breakfast dish a snap. Try it for dinner, too! No need to thaw the veggies first; cook them from frozen. Serve with a dash of hot sauce, if desired.

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Quark & Cucumber Toast

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Give your healthy breakfast a savory spin with this quark and cucumber toast.

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Egg and Vegetable Muffins

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Bulgur adds fiber and protein to these egg muffins, made with zucchini, tomato and feta cheese.

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Savory Oatmeal with Tomato & Sausage

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Oats get a new life in this savory dish, serving as the backbone for a satisfying combo of sausage, greens, tomatoes, and herbs.

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Green Protein Smoothie

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Lentils in a smoothie recipe? Yes! They're a healthy source of plant-based protein, adding 3 grams more protein than an equal-size portion of nonfat plain yogurt and 4 grams more fiber than a typical serving of protein powder.

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Oatmeal Pancakes with Maple Fruit

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Have a full house and need a breakfast idea? Here's a quick pancake recipe that serves eight! Everyone at your table will enjoy these filling oatmeal-buttermilk pancakes, topped with fresh fruit and a decadent cinnamon-maple sauce.

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Baked Eggs with Roasted Vegetables

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With 11 grams of protein in each serving, this recipe is great for breakfast. Start preparation the day before and chill overnight for minimal work in the morning.

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Almond-Matcha Green Smoothie Bowl

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Green matcha powder and spinach give this healthy smoothie bowl a beautiful green hue. Be sure to use frozen bananas (not fresh) to keep the texture thick, creamy and frosty.

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Cheddar and Zucchini Frittata

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This frittata is made with cheddar cheese and zucchini and is quick and easy to prepare. With just 115 calories per serving, this is a guilt free meal.

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Southwestern Waffle

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This open-faced egg sandwich has a bit of southwestern flair with avocado and fresh salsa. And while you'd normally expect it served on toast or an English muffin, we've switched things up by serving it on a whole-grain waffle.

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Strawberry-Orange Breakfast Cakes

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Yes, you can pull off baked goods on busy mornings! With a make-ahead batter and filling, these breakfast muffins go from fridge to table in under 30 minutes.

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Poached Eggs on Soft Polenta

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Eggs are an inexpensive source of high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals which makes them the perfect breakfast food. There are many ways to enjoy them, but we recommend trying them poached and served over creamy Parmesan-polenta.

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Orange Whole-Wheat Pancakes

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Boost your breakfast with vitamin C and potassium by topping your whole-grain pancake stack with segmented oranges, which are an excellent source of both.

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Berry-Mint Kefir Smoothies

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Kefir is similar to yogurt, full of gut-friendly probiotics. But it has fewer carbs and a more drinkable consistency--perfect for smoothies.

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Beets & Goat Cheese Toast

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A little lemon zest perks up this healthy toast with beets and goat cheese.

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Spiced Anytime Oatmeal

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Incorporating oats into your diet may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. These steel-cut oats are combined with shredded carrots and snipped apricots and flavored with cinnamon, allspice and ginger. Steel-cut oats take a bit longer to cook, so make them ahead and reheat before serving.

24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (2024)

FAQs

What is the best breakfast for diabetics in the morning? ›

14 Best Breakfast Foods for People with Diabetes
  1. Eggs. Eggs are delicious, versatile, and a great breakfast choice. ...
  2. Greek yogurt with berries. ...
  3. Overnight chia seed pudding. ...
  4. Oatmeal. ...
  5. Multigrain avocado toast. ...
  6. Low carb smoothies. ...
  7. Wheat bran cereal. ...
  8. Cottage cheese, fruit, and nut bowl.
Nov 4, 2022

What is the best thing to eat in the morning for blood sugar? ›

Porridge oats or the instant variety are both fine - just avoid those with added free sugars like honey and golden syrup. Wheat biscuits, shredded wheat or muesli (with no added sugar) are also great alternatives.

What can I eat for breakfast that won t raise my blood sugar? ›

To keep your blood sugar stable, opt for carb sources that release energy slowly. Oats, whole wheat bread, and fruit, are good choices, dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine said. For a protein-packed breakfast, try baked oats, chia pudding, or avocado and eggs on wholegrain toast.

What is the first thing a diabetic should do in the morning? ›

Testing your blood sugar is an essential part of managing your diabetes. Test your blood sugar first thing in the morning to get a baseline reading for the day. This can help you adjust your diabetes management plan as needed.

How many eggs should a diabetic eat in the morning? ›

How Many Eggs Can People With Type 2 Diabetes Eat? Both research and health experts indicate that individuals living with type 2 diabetes, or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, can include between 6 - 12 eggs per week as part of an overall healthy diet. So you can enjoy up to 2 eggs, 6 times a week.

What can I eat to bring my sugar down quickly? ›

Balance blood sugar with these foods.
  • Leafy greens and non-starchy vegetables. Leafy greens such as romaine, kale, and spinach, along with non-starchy vegetables (for example, peppers, tomatoes, and onions) are high in fiber, low in calories, and nutrient-rich. ...
  • Nuts, nut butters, and seeds. ...
  • Berries.
Nov 29, 2023

What are the 5 worst foods for blood sugar? ›

Foods to limit or avoid
  1. Refined grains. Refined grains like white bread, pasta, and rice are high in carbs but low in fiber, which can increase blood sugar levels more quickly than their whole grain counterparts. ...
  2. Sugar-sweetened beverages. ...
  3. Fried foods. ...
  4. Alcohol. ...
  5. Breakfast cereal. ...
  6. Candy. ...
  7. Processed meats. ...
  8. Fruit juice.

What foods lower blood sugar overnight? ›

Try one the following healthful snacks before bed to help manage blood sugar levels and satisfy nighttime hunger:
  • A handful of nuts. ...
  • A hard-boiled egg. ...
  • Low-fat cheese and whole-wheat crackers. ...
  • Baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, or cucumber slices. ...
  • Celery sticks with hummus. ...
  • Air-popped popcorn. ...
  • Roasted chickpeas.

What time should diabetics stop eating at night? ›

At least two hours before going to bed, try to avoid eating anything. Maintain a window of 10–12 hours between two substantial meals- If you work night shifts and are unable to keep your optimal dinner time between 7–9 PM, try keeping a window of 10–12 hours between your dinner and breakfast.

What drink lowers blood sugar? ›

Drinking water is an excellent way to stay hydrated without consuming sugar. Green tea, cow's milk, and fermented milk (kefir) could also help you manage your blood sugar responses. Coffee also contains compounds that may help regulate blood sugar, but confirming this requires more research.

What carbs don't spike blood sugar? ›

Farro, quinoa and barley keep sugars more stable than white rice or pasta. Bran cereal. While cereals are high in carbohydrates, bran is also high in fiber. Eat with 1% milk, which contains protein.

What is the most important meal for a diabetic? ›

Research confirms that eating breakfast is generally a good idea—it can help with weight management, help you feel fuller throughout the day, and help keep blood glucose in range. Just because breakfast is important doesn't mean it has to be an elaborate meal.

What should a diabetic do everyday? ›

  1. Make and eat healthy food.
  2. Be active most days.
  3. Test your blood sugar often.
  4. Take medicines as prescribed, even if you feel good.
  5. Learn ways to manage stress.
  6. Cope with the emotional side of diabetes.
  7. Go to checkups.

What is a good high protein breakfast for a diabetic? ›

Diabetic High-Protein Breakfast Recipes
  • Homemade Plain Greek Yogurt. ...
  • Breakfast Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cakes. ...
  • Strawberry & Yogurt Parfait. ...
  • Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries. ...
  • Ham and Broccoli Breakfast Casserole. ...
  • "Egg in a Hole" Peppers with Avocado Salsa. ...
  • Apple, Bacon and Sweet Potato Mini Casseroles.

Should you eat breakfast in the morning if your blood sugar is high? ›

As per experts, people with diabetes shouldn't be in rush to have breakfast first thing in the morning as this is the time when your body's blood sugar levels are naturally high. If you eat immediately after waking up, you will find it difficult to manage diabetes the entire day.

What foods can diabetics eat freely? ›

Here are some examples of free foods for diabetics, as outlined by a committee of the American Diabetes Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
  • Carbonated water.
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Coffee or tea.
  • 1 cup raw cabbage.
  • Hard, sugar-free candy.
  • 1 cup raw cucumber.
  • 2 tablespoons whipped topping.
Jul 13, 2007

Are bananas good for diabetics in the morning? ›

Though bananas are higher in carbs and sugars than some foods, they also contain fiber and resistant starch that slows down the digestion and release of sugar into your bloodstream. These qualities make bananas a healthy, go-to snack for people with diabetes.

Is peanut butter good for diabetics? ›

Peanut butter contains essential nutrients, and it can be part of a healthful diet when a person has diabetes. However, it is important to eat it in moderation, as it contains a lot of calories. People should also make sure their brand of peanut butter is not high in added sugar, salt, or fat.

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