Breakfast Alternatives

[ScottWagner]

Hi all! I am new to this forum. I have never posted anything, but have spent hours reading and reading!

I am a Type 1 who uses a Cozmo pump. For all my life, I have always been a big cereal eater in the morning. I am finding that even by measuring, counting carbs, and bolusing the right amount of insulin, my 2 hour posts are NEVER consistent. My CDE blames this on the tendency to be more resistent to insulin in the morning, and that I should try to lower my morning carbs and eat slightly more protein in the morning.

Cereal is always attractive to me because it is quick and easy. Are there any suggestions out there for good breakfast alternatives that are more blood sugar friendly!! Thanks a lot!

Scott

[HeatherP]

Hi Scott, and Welcome! I'm a T1 too, and my CDE has said this to me and I find it to be true: cereal can be very unstable in terms of b/s control.

You could try eating a little protein w/ it to see if that helps even your sugars out, say an ounce of cheese, or a couple slices of bacon. The protein will slow down the carb absorption and even it out a bit.

I have found for myself, 2 slices of low-carb wheat bread toast and 2 pieces of bacon works very well for me, plus a cup of coffee w/ coffeemate.

Hope that helps you a bit!
HeatherP

[Shalyndria]

Hello Scott, and welcome to the forums :)

I am a pumper and a big cereal buff as well. Like you and Heather, I've found cereal (particularily high fiber cereals) will affect my BG's a few hours post prandial as well. My trick is to take advantage of my pump and dual wave (I use the MM512; not sure what Deltec calls this feature) my meal bolus and receive 75% bolus up front and 25% over two hours. It works well for me and you may want to give it a try.
If you drink coffee that may too be affecting your 2 hr pp readings. Is your am basal set to properly reflect the chemical increases of your body?

When I don't feel like a big breakfast of cereal, I like to eat a single serving of yogurt. Danone makes a great brand called Silhouette (single-packaged) which is low fat and has only 10 g CHO. A slice of toast with a little peanut butter or cheese spread is a good alternative as well.

Good luck and keep us posted :)
Shy

[am1977]

Hi Scott,

I know exactly what you mean. I really enjoy eating a bowl of cereal in the morning. This is what I have always been doing since my school days. Usually the last thing I want is protein for breakfast...maybe I am just not used to that.

Finding some cereals w/ more protein or Fiber might help. I know Kashi cereals have a good amount of both. The Go Lean Crunch is good over a cup of yogurt, but it does have some carbs...so don't expect it to be low carb. How about an egg on a low carb bagel or lite bread. That has some carb, protein, and fat. Then if you want add a piece of fruit and that rounds out the meal.

I have yet to give up my cereal habit, but I know I do need to add some more protein to either my breakfasts or lunches. I think I am eating too much carbs and probably should change that.

[johnnylol]

used to eat cereal but my blood sugar got to a high of 165..so cereal is out..i eat eggs not bad has protein and dosen't raise my blood sugar....

[KLD]

Hi Scott,

Have a look at the Recipe board on this site and try the Mock Danish. I often have it for breakfast. It's low carb, and it's very quick and easy to make; it takes less than five minutes and cooks in the microwave. It's also handy in that it just makes a single serving so you can make one up quickly any time you want it.

Another option I often have is what I call Ricotta Cheese Breakfast. It's even faster because it doesn't need cooking. You mix 1/3 cup of ricotta cheese with a few tablespoons of whipping cream (heavy cream), add a small amount of artificial sweetener, a tablespoon each of unprocessed wheat bran and flax meal (ground flax seed), and a few raspberries or blueberries (I use frozen raspberries and crumble them into the mixture.) It has a cereal taste about it because of the bran and the flax seed, but it's low carb and very easy on the blood sugar. (I buy the bran and the flax meal at a health food store or an organic food store.)

Karen

[ScottWagner]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I have tried many different things this past week, with some good success. My post readings have been much much better now!

I did one day have a bowl of cereal and tried running a temp basal at 110% for 1.5 hours after eating (per Dr. suggestion) and that also worked well for the high carb breakfast!

Thanks again! Keep ideas coming if they come up!

Scott

[Belinda]

Hi and welcome. I am a pumper too and just do my bolus 30 mins after I eat cereal for breakfast...oh wait I eat it for lunch and dinner sometimes too

[ScottWagner]

That is an interesting thought Belinda. I will try that. I am the kind of person however that would probably forget and then be worse off than I started!!! :cool:

[Belinda]

CAn't say that I never forgot it but do pretty well this way.

I have even left the house and forgot to hook my pump back on after getting ready...this of course is always the days I am running a tad bit late

[sweetness]

what's worse than forgetting is thinking you forgot and then bolusing twice!

[Belinda]

not a problem here due to the pump keeps a record of the bolus

[sweetness]

i don't have a pump tho. that would be good.

[Belinda]

yep I was unsure about the pump at first but now that I have it and have had it for 5 1/2 years I would be lost without it and would seriously hurt someone if they tried to take it away..lol

[sweetness]

except for my memory, i do very well without it. what about an insulin injector with a memory? that might be good enough for me.

[ScottWagner]

I can't say I have left my pump at home before, but I have left it on suspend for a few hours after a shower! I guess the beep I was tuning out that annoying beep that goes off every two minutes!!

I work at a diabetes camp in the summer, and we once had a diabetic couselor giving a piggyback ride to a camper. The counselor had a minimed 508 and the cartridge door opened (she wasn't using a case) and the camper on her back somehow managed to plnge 125 units!!! Talk about a serious situation and trip to the ER!! :confused:

[sweetness]

now, i don't think THAT could happen with my insulin pen! LOL