Big Breakfast Rich in Protein and Fat Improves Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetics

Objective: Our goal was to evaluate the effect of breakfast size and composition on body weight, glycemic control, and metabolic markers in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: 59 overweight/obese adults with T2DM were randomized to one of two isocaloric diabetic diets for 3 months; big breakfast (BB), breakfast was rich in fat and protein and provided 33% of total daily energy or small breakfast (SB), breakfast was rich in carbohydrates and provided 12.5% of total daily energy. Results: Although body weight was reduced similarly in both groups, the BB group showed greater HbA1c and systolic blood pressure reductions (HbA1c: 24.62% vs. 21.46%, p 5 0.047; SBP 29.58 vs. 22.43 mmHg; p 5 0.04). T2DM medication dose was reduced in a greater proportion of the BB participants (31% vs. 0%; p 5 0.002) while in the SB, a greater proportion of participants had a dose increases (16.7% vs. 3.4%; p 5 0.002). Hunger scores were lower in the BB group and greater improvements in fasting glucose were observed in the BB group. Conclusions: A simple dietary manipulation enriching breakfast with energy as protein and fat appears to confer metabolic benefits and might be a useful alternative for the management of T2DM.