Ask the Dietitian: Controlling Post-Breakfast Glucose Levels

Question: It seems every time I eat a bowl of high-fiber cereal for breakfast with nonfat milk, my post-meal glucose goes so high that I am scared to eat such a healthy breakfast. What should I do?

Patty Horn, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers, responds:

Many healthy breakfast cereals are fairly high in carbohydrates. Make sure to look at the serving size and measure just how much you are eating. It is easy to pour three or more servings into a bowl without even knowing it. That may sound like a lot but many cereals have a serving size that is only ½ cup. Most cereal bowls today hold two or more cups. When you add milk and fruit to the cereal, the carbohydrate content of that meal really jumps up.

When shopping for cereal, look for brands with 4 or more grams of fiber per serving and with the least amount of total carbohydrates. Eat no more than two servings of cereal in addition to the milk or yogurt that is often consumed with cereal. You also may want to eat fruit later in the day rather than at breakfast. Also, make sure you are starting the day with good blood glucose control. Ideally, your blood sugar level when you wake up should be between 80 and 120.

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For More Information
 To learn more about Sharp's diabetes services or to find a Sharp-affiliated doctor, search for a San Diego endocrinologist or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. To find general information about diabetes, visit Diabetes Care in Adult Health or read the Diabetes News archive.