Do all patients with type 2 diabetes need breakfast?

Tina Parkner (1) , Jannik Kruse Nielsen (1) , Thomas Damgaard Sandahl (1) , Bo Martin Bibby (1) , Birgit Schelde Jensen (1) , Jens Sandahl Christiansen (1)

1 Department of Clinical Biochemistry

Objectives: To evaluate if an improved daily glycaemic profile could be achieved in patients with type 2 diabetes by withholding breakfast, but maintaining the same total daily intake of calorie and the same composition of carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Methods: Thirteen type 2 diabetic patients participated in this randomised crossover study. Following an initial fasting night the study consisted of 4 consecutive days. Patients were randomised to diets including breakfast day 1 and 3, and excluding breakfast day 2 and 4, or vice versa. Results: The mean plasma glucose level was 0.24 mmol/l higher after the breakfast diet compared to the non-breakfast diet, but reflected only a tendency (P=0.066). The standard deviation based on plasma glucose was 32% higher after the breakfast diet compared to the non-breakfast diet (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Not all patients with type 2 diabetes may need breakfast. Moreover, a non-breakfast diet reduces glycemic variability.

Mots clés: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Diet; Diet

Tina Parkner, Jannik Kruse Nielsen, Thomas Damgaard Sandahl, Bo Martin Bibby, Birgit Schelde Jensen, et al.. Do all patients with type 2 diabetes need breakfast?. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2011, ⟨10.1038/ejcn.2011.18⟩. ⟨hal-00616529⟩