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Low-glycemic index breakfasts helps control blood sugar, experts say

Category: Diabetes

A low-glycemic index breakfast may play an important role in keeping blood tests for glucose at healthy levels, a pair of experts recently reported at the Institute of Food Technologists' Wellness 12 meeting.

Kantha Shelke, of food consultant group Corvus Blue, and Purdue University researcher Richard Mattes said that numerous studies have shown that low-glycemic index foods eaten in the morning can stabilize blood sugar levels throughout the day. Furthermore, they tend to help people feel full, which discourages overeating.

Whole grains cereals are among the most commonly consumed breakfast foods that fall into the low-glycemic index category. The researchers said that nuts like almonds may also fill the bill.

Despite the well-established importance of eating a low-glycemic index breakfast for maintain healthy glucose levels, many people fail to heed this advice. The researchers said that about 30 percent of people skip breakfast altogether at least once per week.

However, avoiding this habit may play an important in avoiding blood sugar problems. This may be particularly important for individuals who have received blood tests indicating they have prediabetes or diabetes.