While skipping breakfast has become a trend due to busy schedules or fasting practices, people with diabetes must understand the potential effects of missing this important meal.

Breakfast plays a significant role in regulating blood sugar levels and supporting overall health, and skipping it can cause a range of negative physical and psychological consequences.

Kanikka Malhotra, a consultant dietician and diabetes educator, highlights the critical nature of breakfast for diabetes management, noting that its absence can create a series of challenges:

1. Blood Sugar Imbalance Missing breakfast can disrupt blood sugar control, leading to higher blood sugar levels later in the day. After fasting overnight, the body may respond more aggressively to meals, causing spikes in blood sugar, particularly after lunch or dinner. Over time, this leads to greater fluctuations in blood sugar levels, making it harder to stabilize glucose and increasing the risk of complications.

2. Increased Insulin Resistance Insulin resistance, a core factor in type 2 diabetes, makes it more difficult for the body to process glucose effectively. Skipping breakfast can worsen insulin resistance, complicating efforts to manage blood sugar. This can accelerate the progression of diabetes and increase the risk of cardiovascular issues.

3. Long-Term Health Risks Consistently missing breakfast can have long-term health effects, such as:

Accelerated onset of type 2 diabetes in prediabetic individuals.
Organ damage, including neuropathy (nerve damage), nephropathy (kidney damage), and retinopathy (vision impairment), due to prolonged high blood sugar levels.

4. Nutritional and Metabolic Imbalances Breakfast provides key nutrients like fibre, protein, and healthy fats, which help stabilize blood sugar. Without it, people are more likely to overeat or make poor food choices later in the day, leading to metabolic disruption, potential weight gain, and increased risk of complications.

5. Psychological and Cognitive Effects The effects of skipping breakfast extend beyond the physical. Missing this meal can lead to:

Increased hunger, may result in overeating or poor food choices.
Mood swings and irritability due to unstable blood sugar.
Difficulty concentrating and reduced productivity due to a lack of consistent energy.

Healthy Breakfast Tips for Diabetics
To support better blood sugar control, individuals with diabetes should prioritize a balanced breakfast that includes:

Low glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates, like whole grains or oats, provide steady energy.
Lean proteins, such as eggs, Greek yoghurt, or tofu, help stabilize blood sugar.
Healthy fats, including avocado, nuts, or seeds, provide sustained energy.
Fibre-rich foods, such as vegetables or chia seeds, aid digestion and promote satiety.

It is best to avoid processed or sugary foods that can cause rapid blood sugar spikes and disrupt metabolic function. By making mindful breakfast choices, diabetics can better manage their blood sugar levels and support overall health.

Source: TIE