I love breakfast. Every morning I wake up ready to get the day going and I enjoy the process of making breakfast and eating to kick off the day.
What about you, do you love breakfast? I’ve met people who don’t like to eat in the morning. I get it that we are all different.
That said, as a person with type 1 diabetes, it’s easy to struggle with blood sugars and breakfast. Many of us have insulin resistance in the morning. I struggle with this, and thus I have had lots of challenges with blood sugar spikes in the morning.
Luckily about a year ago, I found the book Bright Spots and Landmines: The Diabetes Guide I Wish Someone Had Handed Me, by Adam Brown. In it, he described his favorite breakfast: Chia Pudding.
I gave it a try and it has become my favorite breakfast too!
Here’s how I make it:
¼ c. organic chia seeds (I get mine from Trader Joe’s)
1/8 c. golden flax seeds
½ serving of Sunwarrior organic vanilla protein powder
¼ c. of walnuts
½ cup of water added to all of the above ingredients.
Then I add the following items:
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of cardamom
Dash of organic coconut flakes
And finally to top it all off, I add almost a full cup of fresh, organic berries!
In all, this chia pudding is about 400 calories and about 28 grams of carbohydrates.
I take my insulin about 20 minutes before I eat the chia pudding and consistently I have a blood sugar flat line on my continuous glucose monitor all morning. For me, chia pudding is a glorious filling breakfast!
To top off my morning, I usually have a mid-morning snack of raw veggies! The veggies, along with the chia pudding, are dense enough to keep me full all morning.
Tell me, what you eat for breakfast? Please, let me know in the comments! I’m curious.
Mari,
The chia pudding was soo good! I don’t have diabetes but I have a muscle disorder that requires I keep my carb intake low. I can totally see this becoming a staple for me too.
Best wishes,
Dannah
Dannah,
Low carb meals are all the rage these days! I’m so glad you liked the chia pudding!!! I love it too!! I’m glad you don’t have diabetes, it sucks. I am sorry you have a muscle disorder. Darn health conditions that challenge us.
Thanks for letting me know!
Mari
I get tired of eating the same thing every day, all of these options sound really good. One thing I make if I’m going to be cycling is overnight oats. I mix vanilla protein powder into almond milk, add oats, frozen berries, and walnuts.
Hi Cindy!
Many people like to mix up their breakfasts!! I don’t, but I LOVE to make sure I mix up my lunches and dinners!! I am so glad the options here, the chia pudding and all the suggestions people have left in the comments! sound good to you! I love what you make on days you are going cycling! I love all these great ideas!
Thanks so much!
Mari
Do you let it sit overnight for the chia to absorb the liquid?
Hi Nora!
I do not let it sit overnight. I let it sit for about 2 minutes!!! It’s yummy! And easy! Great question!
Mari
I started eating chia pudding after reading Adam’s blog about it too, it’s great! (https://diatribe.org/three-minute-diabetes-breakfast-changes-lives). I skip the coconut items and eat it with some frozen berries or peaches (picked last summer and stuck in the freezer), cinnamon, and have an egg fried in olive oil on the side for some extra protein (instead of protein powder). The flax is a good idea, I haven’t tried putting that in. Anyhow it’s very versatile depending on your tastes and great for BGs!
Sarah!
Yes, Adam’s book is the best!! So glad to hear that you’re a chia pudding fan too! Thanks too for the link to his recipe!!!
Let me know how you like the flax seeds! I like the extra fiber!
Mari
I have a smoothie most mornings. Spinach, protein powder, turmeric, ground flax seeds, frozen mango and blueberries, some almond milk and water. I don’t have diabetes. I do need something filling yet light as I teach hot yoga in the AMs. The smoothies keep me going without feeling bogged down with a full tummy.
Hi Heather!
Smoothies are a great option! Especially if one is doing yoga shortly afterward!! Your smoothie sounds fabulous!!! I might give that one a try!
Great to hear from you!!!
Mari
Good Early Monday Morning!
Now that warm weather is back, my essential breakfast if about 1/2 cup of vanilla or strawberry non-fat Greek yogurt, 1 scoop Designer Whey powder, either 1/2 cup of peaches or strawberries, 1/4 cup of Oats and Honey granola and 1/2 a medium banana…I’m usually set until mid-afternoon at that rate. It must be working because my last A1c was only 5.7 and I’ve lost 70 lbs since my last heart attack in January. Enjoy your day, friends!
Gene,
Your breakfast sounds perfect for you!!! The key is to figure out what works for each of us!!! AND WOW, way to go on taking charge of your health and wellness after your heart attack in January!!
May you enjoy the day too!
Mari
I eat 3 egg whites and one whole egg, spinach, ground chia seeds, ground flax seed, a little shredded cheddar cheese and about a cup of any kind of veggies that I have cooked for the week. I end it with a dove dark chocolate candy.
Margie,
That sounds like a yummy way to start your day!
Thanks for sharing!
Mari
Okay, make that staple.
Linda,
This sounds like a great breakfast!! Staple or stable! I would get stable blood sugars with this breakfast!
Mari
Cottage cheese and egg whites has been my stable for the last few months.
My breakfast is 2 eggs and toast. I try to get a high fiber bread when I can. This fills me up until lunch. The only breakfast I have found that doesn’t cause me to spike. Add anything to it and spike. I may have to try the chia pudding though. Maybe berries will be good!
Cathy,
Eggs and toast sound good too! Berries are very low carb and full of good nutrition! Let me know how they go for you! And if you like the chia pudding!
Mari
Loving the chia pudding! I soak mine overnight. I just like the consistency better. My BG stays steady all morning even with exercise. And the best part is, it tastes yummy!
Yes!!! So glad to hear this!! Adam Brown was sure on to something with this great suggestion to all of us!!!
Mari