Eggs and Diabetes

**AmyBoz** · 03-13-2010, 11:49 AM

Okay, help me out here.

I can find information online, from fairly reputable sources, that supports both sides of the argument.

Eggs...okay for diabetics, or not?

First of all, my cholesterol is fantastic and always has been. That isn't an issue.

Lately, I've been making weekend breakfasts for my family. Their usual request is an egg and cheese sandwich. I use whole wheat bread, one egg, or sometimes just an egg white, and one piece of sliced American Cheese. No butter, no bacon, nothing like that. Just the sandwich. They look delicious and I've had a few bites, and they taste delicious. I'm thinking about making them more often...think it might give the kids a better start to their day than a bowl of cereal.

My question is, do you think it's okay for my diabetes for me to eat them, as well?

**Contrary Housewife** · 03-13-2010, 12:15 PM

Eggs are good for diabetics in that they do not contain sugars in any form, which means they won't spike your blood sugar. An egg and cheese on a low-glycemic bread would be a good diabetic breakfast.

In general eggs are good source of inexpensive protein, and so very versatile to cook with.

And it happens that I'm making myself an egg sandwich for breakfast this morning, too.

**Libby** · 03-13-2010, 12:20 PM

I haven't heard anything about eggs & diabetes myself. My dietitian's haven't said peep to me when I've been showing them my food logs and I've made them into fried egg sammies and scrambled with cheese and omelettes etc.

I think the whole egg warning thing is just to be cautious of cholesterol levels - as in how you eat it and what you eat it with.

Example - some people only fry their eggs in copious amounts of butter, bacon grease and even lard. Then slather tons of butter on their toast and slap on a mound of cheese - so all the fats combined on whole grain toast suddenly doesn't really look like the best option right? Think about those that try to validate their lumberjack sized breakky's - beans, toast, 3 eggs, 3 sausage, 3 hams, 3 bacons, coffee with cream etc etc etc - is it really ok to eat that often b/c you have eggs in it?

I know when I make my fried egg sammies - I always use whole grain toast (thats just me though) and a tiny bit of salt free Becel Margarine OR a quick spritz of Pam or equivalent. Do I top it with cheese, heck yes but I try to put block cheese vs Kraft though sometimes Kraft just wins b/c of taste/melting factor.

Alternatives - serve soft boiled eggs on lightly buttered toast, poached etc - just monitor the amount of fats used to cook it and fats used to top it/serve with it.

I often just eat a hard boiled egg w/toast of some sort in the am's or just a hard boiled egg as a snack. Hope that helps.

**Neeley** · 03-13-2010, 12:25 PM

I am also diabetic and for years have been enjoying two eggs every morning for my breakfast. My glucose levels are much better throughout the day when I start with proteins versus sugars and carbs.

I am also a big believer in sending DH and the kids off with a belly full of proteins and not sugars. Each day they are fed two eggs, turkey sausage or turkey bacon and a biscuit. I like the idea that they have had a hot meal to start their day.

**McD** · 03-13-2010, 01:11 PM

Amy, I didn't really you have diabetes. Interesting question though--I never realized that there was a debate regarding the healthiness of eggs. I wish I could get myself to like eggs better.

I have a hard time eating them. Wesley on the other hand requested scrambled eggs for lunch.

**Ceashels** · 03-13-2010, 03:03 PM

Eggs got maligned in the 70's as bad for you because of the fat and cholesterol content but they contain 9 essential amino acids and vitamins that the body needs. So at 80-ish calories, 5-ish grams of fat and no carbohydrates per egg, putting one per day into your diet is easily doable.

I had a fried egg sandwich this morning too. Spritz the pan, scramble the egg, cook and put on a whole wheat English muffin. Mmmmm.

**fernykins** · 03-13-2010, 03:32 PM

Eggs are a protein. Everything you ear turns into surgar protiens just take longer so your energy level keeps going. That is why rthey want you to eat protien with your carbs.
Fern

**Trishagirl** · 03-13-2010, 08:31 PM

Amy listen to this video it's good about healing your diabetes.
Podcasts

**nodmicks** · 03-13-2010, 09:00 PM

Long term diabetic. I eat eggs daily. I have great cholesterol too.

**2ndGenGranola** · 03-14-2010, 08:13 AM

It sounds like a great way to start your day. I know it is better for the kids. I've spent about 4-5 years counseling parents who are tweeking their kids diet for certain reasons. One of the first things I say is to get rid of the cereal for b'fast and get in some good protein at b'fast.

**savvy_sniper** · 03-14-2010, 09:28 AM

When my mom became diabetic we had a problem getting her diet straightened out. She also had Alzheimer's. She liked to eat the same food for every meal with little or no variation. She ate a scrambled egg, whole wheat toast, oatmeal, OJ, and coffee EVERY morning. The dietitian said it was fine.

What is more important is that you eat BALANCED meals on a regular schedule. I was told that when she wanted something that wasn't particularly good for her, it helped to give it to her with or immediately after a balanced meal, NOT all by itself.

The key is MODERATION!

**AmyBoz** · 03-14-2010, 09:47 AM

Big thanks to everyone! I really appreciate all of the advice! It's so helpful!

I'm loving the egg and cheese sandwiches, and as I said, I'm eating it on whole wheat bread, no butter, no bacon or anything like that. Just the egg, the slice of cheese and the bread, along with a glass of skim milk. So far, so good with my glucose numbers. Phewf!

I've been having a hard time balancing out the foods with the glucose, so it's good to find something I like that isn't making me go over the edge!

**Libby** · 03-14-2010, 11:35 AM

Amy I have that problem too!

My goal is to not need to jack up the insulin just to eat something but sometimes...yas just need to have that one treat!!

**hestlauss** · 03-14-2010, 12:07 PM

I'm a type 2 and one of my friends told me that she mixes Nopales (type of cactus) into her scrambled eggs. The Nopales drops her meter readings by 3 to 10 points. I am going to try it this week to see if it reduces mine. I find that I must have an egg or other protein for breakfast each day or the toast or steel cut oats will spike my blood sugar. Just keep eating by you meter readings.