Researchers are testing whether people with type 2 diabetes can better control their blood sugar by simply changing what they eat at breakfast—without overhauling their entire diet. The study focuses on eating very few carbohydrates (like bread and sugar) at breakfast instead of making big changes to all meals. This approach is designed to be easier to follow than typical diet programs. The research involves 119 adults with persistently high blood sugar levels who will try this breakfast-focused approach for 4 months using an online program. Scientists will measure whether this simple change helps lower blood sugar levels and reduces the need for diabetes medications.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether changing breakfast to have very few carbohydrates helps adults with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar better without changing the rest of their diet
  • Who participated: 119 adults with type 2 diabetes who have blood sugar levels that stay too high even with current treatment
  • Key finding: This is a study protocol describing the research plan, not yet published results. The study will measure whether a 4-month breakfast intervention reduces blood sugar levels (HbA1c) and the need for diabetes medications
  • What it means for you: If this study shows positive results, it could offer people with type 2 diabetes an easier way to manage their condition by focusing on just one meal rather than completely changing how they eat. However, results are not yet available

The Research Details

This is a pre-post study, which means researchers will measure participants’ health markers before the intervention starts and then again after 4 months. Participants will use an online program to learn how to make their breakfasts very low in carbohydrates. The study is designed to be simple and accessible, with step-by-step instructions rather than complex diet rules. This approach was chosen because many people with type 2 diabetes struggle to follow complicated diet programs, especially if they have difficulty understanding health information.

The researchers specifically chose to focus only on breakfast because carbohydrates have the biggest impact on blood sugar levels after eating, and breakfast is often the meal with the most carbohydrates. By targeting just this meal, the intervention aims to be less overwhelming than asking people to change everything they eat. The study will track 119 participants over 4 months and measure multiple health outcomes.

This research approach is important because many people with type 2 diabetes struggle to stick with traditional diet programs that require complete lifestyle overhauls. By testing a simpler, more focused approach, researchers can determine whether small, manageable changes might work better for real-world situations. The online format also makes the program more accessible to people who might not have easy access to in-person nutrition counseling.

This is a protocol paper describing the planned study rather than reporting final results. The study has a reasonable sample size of 119 participants and includes important measurements like blood sugar control (HbA1c), medication use, and weight. The study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, which is a positive sign of transparency. However, because results haven’t been published yet, we cannot evaluate the actual effectiveness of the intervention. The study design (pre-post without a control group) is less rigorous than a randomized controlled trial, which means we cannot be completely certain that any improvements are due to the breakfast change versus other factors.

What the Results Show

Results from this study have not yet been published. The researchers are still collecting data and analyzing outcomes. The study aims to measure changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which is a blood test that shows average blood sugar control over 3 months. This is the main outcome researchers will examine to determine if the breakfast intervention works.

When results are published, researchers will report whether participants’ blood sugar levels improved, whether they needed fewer diabetes medications, and whether they lost weight. They will also look at whether the intervention was acceptable to participants and whether people could stick with it for the full 4 months.

The study will also examine other health measures including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar variability (how much blood sugar swings up and down), and body weight. Researchers will also investigate whether the intervention works differently for men versus women, and whether it works better for people with different levels of insulin resistance (a condition where the body doesn’t respond well to insulin).

Previous research has shown that very low-carbohydrate diets can help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar better. However, most studies have required people to follow strict, complex diet plans that are hard to maintain. This study builds on that research by testing whether focusing on just one meal (breakfast) with a simpler approach might be easier for people to follow while still providing benefits. The American Diabetes Association now recommends very low-carbohydrate diets for type 2 diabetes, which supports the direction of this research.

This study has several important limitations to understand. First, it does not have a control group (a group that doesn’t make dietary changes), so we cannot be completely certain that any improvements are due to the breakfast changes rather than other factors like increased attention to health or seasonal changes. Second, the study only lasts 4 months, so we don’t know if benefits continue long-term. Third, the study relies on an online program, which may work better for people who are comfortable with technology. Finally, results have not yet been published, so we cannot evaluate the actual outcomes.

The Bottom Line

This study is still in progress, so specific recommendations cannot be made yet. However, if you have type 2 diabetes with persistently high blood sugar, it may be worth discussing with your doctor whether reducing carbohydrates at breakfast could be helpful for you. The approach of making small, focused changes rather than overhauling your entire diet may be more realistic for many people. Confidence level: Low, since results are not yet available.

Adults with type 2 diabetes who have blood sugar levels that remain high despite current treatment should pay attention to this research. People who have struggled with complex diet programs in the past may find this simpler approach appealing. However, this research is not yet applicable to people with type 1 diabetes, pregnant women with gestational diabetes, or people with other health conditions. Anyone considering major dietary changes should consult with their doctor or a registered dietitian first.

If the intervention works as hoped, researchers estimate that changes in blood sugar control could be measurable within 4 months. However, some benefits like weight loss might take longer. It’s important to remember that this is a preliminary study, and larger, more rigorous studies would be needed before this approach becomes standard treatment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your breakfast carbohydrate intake daily and record your fasting blood sugar readings (if you monitor at home) or HbA1c test results every 3 months to see if reducing breakfast carbs affects your blood sugar control
  • Use the app to log your breakfast meals and set a daily carbohydrate target for breakfast only (rather than trying to change your entire diet). Create reminders to plan low-carb breakfast options the night before
  • Establish a baseline by recording your current breakfast habits and blood sugar levels for 1-2 weeks, then implement low-carb breakfast changes and track the same metrics weekly. Compare results monthly to see if the intervention is working for you

This article describes a research study that is still in progress and has not yet published results. The findings discussed are preliminary and based on the study protocol, not actual outcomes. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to make medical decisions. Anyone with type 2 diabetes should consult with their healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes, especially before reducing carbohydrate intake, as this may affect blood sugar levels and medication needs. Do not change your diabetes medications without medical supervision. Results from this study may not apply to all individuals with type 2 diabetes.