Start your morning with these healthy breakfast recipes that are appropriate for a diabetes-friendly diet. These recipes are low in saturated fat, sodium and calories, while also having complex carbs like whole grains and legumes which will make managing your blood sugar easy and delicious. Recipes like Strawberries and Cream Pancakes and Southwest Breakfast Quesadilla are filling and nutritious.
01of 24
Pistachio & Peach Toast
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5633992-81ffe4f1fefb4e65930f6cc4d8c011a4.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (1)")
This breakfast is great when you have leftover ricotta cheese--plus it comes together in just 5 minutes.
02of 24
Peanut Butter & Chia Berry Jam English Muffin
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3879396-ec2044b7f088439b9d6bf2ce20523d00.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (2)")
The addition of chia seeds in the quick "jam" topping adds heart-healthy omega-3s to this healthy breakfast recipe.
03of 24
Berry-Banana Cauliflower Smoothie
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5492260-216f672695a54441b12038151ac8a27b.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (3)")
Sneak in your veggies with a smoothie every morning. Riced cauliflower adds thickness and creaminess to a subtly sweet cauliflower smoothie that features the fruity flavors of bananas and berries at the forefront.
04of 24
Blueberry Muffin Bars
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5202279-2f2bb1600c1d4d49ab2222aa0fab3b7f.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (4)")
With all the supersize muffins out there, portion control can be a challenge. These let you enjoy the flavors of a blueberry muffin, and easily keep track of what you eat.
05of 24
"Egg in a Hole" Peppers with Avocado Salsa
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5969602-8b5d73e895d049d88659fa389c2684fc.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (5)")
Colorful bell pepper rings stand in for bread in this healthy version of egg in a hole. Cook an egg inside the peppers and top with a vibrant avocado salsa for a cheerful breakfast.
06of 24
Strawberries and Cream Pancakes
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5177736-acada6ebe5b14cdeb95f2e7c19910123.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (6)")
These strawberry pancakes are a healthy alternative to traditional breakfast pancakes. With ingredients like chia seeds, oat flour and fresh strawberries, they offer nutritious benefits without sacrificing taste.
07of 24
Breakfast Beans with Microwave-Poached Egg
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8127873-8d8685f1e8d045eba70907e19ad3f6c8.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (7)")
In Costa Rica, this popular breakfast bean dish is called gallo pinto, which means spotted rooster, referring to the dark beans amid the pale rice. We call for cooked barley here, but you can use whatever leftover cooked grain you may have on hand.
08of 24
Southwest Breakfast Quesadilla
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5289576-7070c8a3452d4d60a40deb95160c3535.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (8)")
Pico de gallo and cheesy eggs make this quick breakfast flavorful and satisfying.
09of 24
Quick Cauliflower Hash Browns
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/quick-caulif-hash-browns-2000-049d3a51a467477e8abb06962d4ce309.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (9)")
A trio of frozen products that are easy to keep on hand make this breakfast dish a snap. Try it for dinner, too! No need to thaw the veggies first; cook them from frozen. Serve with a dash of hot sauce, if desired.
10of 24
Quark & Cucumber Toast
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6534109-d4f8d6bee2644873beb01c91bfd0608a.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (10)")
Give your healthy breakfast a savory spin with this quark and cucumber toast.
11of 24
Egg and Vegetable Muffins
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5450223-e088e7beed05411faf30ae584f07a492.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (11)")
Bulgur adds fiber and protein to these egg muffins, made with zucchini, tomato and feta cheese.
12of 24
Savory Oatmeal with Tomato & Sausage
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8412477-ac77fedc68cd44adabdaa5a5dc496f39.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (12)")
Oats get a new life in this savory dish, serving as the backbone for a satisfying combo of sausage, greens, tomatoes, and herbs.
13of 24
Green Protein Smoothie
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4528001-23d62e4a92fe47e9b73e3bf8dee27a7b.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (13)")
Lentils in a smoothie recipe? Yes! They're a healthy source of plant-based protein, adding 3 grams more protein than an equal-size portion of nonfat plain yogurt and 4 grams more fiber than a typical serving of protein powder.
14of 24
Oatmeal Pancakes with Maple Fruit
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5965915-18da01df1d5340caaa36408e1dae1464.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (14)")
Have a full house and need a breakfast idea? Here's a quick pancake recipe that serves eight! Everyone at your table will enjoy these filling oatmeal-buttermilk pancakes, topped with fresh fruit and a decadent cinnamon-maple sauce.
15of 24
Baked Eggs with Roasted Vegetables
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5218263-c43d21a2d40f4f1493f5b5af1b267e7e.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (15)")
With 11 grams of protein in each serving, this recipe is great for breakfast. Start preparation the day before and chill overnight for minimal work in the morning.
16of 24
Almond-Matcha Green Smoothie Bowl
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7881883-d0096cb46948469487d5c47a21e9dd46.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (16)")
Green matcha powder and spinach give this healthy smoothie bowl a beautiful green hue. Be sure to use frozen bananas (not fresh) to keep the texture thick, creamy and frosty.
17of 24
Cheddar and Zucchini Frittata
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5458731-9262b3dfdbee4453addf61f63b8ce906.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (17)")
This frittata is made with cheddar cheese and zucchini and is quick and easy to prepare. With just 115 calories per serving, this is a guilt free meal.
18of 24
Southwestern Waffle
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6060586-8c6b4d46d0a546aaaa025d7544100e7e.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (18)")
This open-faced egg sandwich has a bit of southwestern flair with avocado and fresh salsa. And while you'd normally expect it served on toast or an English muffin, we've switched things up by serving it on a whole-grain waffle.
19of 24
Strawberry-Orange Breakfast Cakes
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5328025-112ddea952d546969a06fe065492d5f9.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (19)")
Yes, you can pull off baked goods on busy mornings! With a make-ahead batter and filling, these breakfast muffins go from fridge to table in under 30 minutes.
20of 24
Poached Eggs on Soft Polenta
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5565667-a87dff6496554e059fd85e2ad56d90ae.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (20)")
Eggs are an inexpensive source of high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals which makes them the perfect breakfast food. There are many ways to enjoy them, but we recommend trying them poached and served over creamy Parmesan-polenta.
21of 24
Orange Whole-Wheat Pancakes
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5973119-14620f76b6464b5da3b6cacf78d2892a.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (21)")
Boost your breakfast with vitamin C and potassium by topping your whole-grain pancake stack with segmented oranges, which are an excellent source of both.
22of 24
Berry-Mint Kefir Smoothies
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5633957-2a0f0194a1ff4d31b47c0126dcab9880.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (22)")
Kefir is similar to yogurt, full of gut-friendly probiotics. But it has fewer carbs and a more drinkable consistency--perfect for smoothies.
23of 24
Beets & Goat Cheese Toast
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6534100-88e43abdfc9e4a7c8ccfe260c67e7236.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (23)")
A little lemon zest perks up this healthy toast with beets and goat cheese.
24of 24
Spiced Anytime Oatmeal
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5604310-8f25f8be41bc4769a7d54e1292e4bb25.jpg "24 Diabetes-Friendly Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar (24)")
Incorporating oats into your diet may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. These steel-cut oats are combined with shredded carrots and snipped apricots and flavored with cinnamon, allspice and ginger. Steel-cut oats take a bit longer to cook, so make them ahead and reheat before serving.
