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Do all patients with type 2 diabetes need breakfast?

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 65, pages 761–763 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objectives:

To evaluate if an improved daily glycemic 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 randomized crossover study. Following an initial fasting night the study consisted of 4 consecutive days. Patients were randomized to diets including breakfast days 1 and 3, and excluding breakfast days 2 and 4, or vice versa.

Results:

The mean plasma glucose level was 0.24 mmol/l higher after the breakfast diet compared with 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 with 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

    T Parkner, J K Nielsen, T D Sandahl, B S Jensen & J S Christiansen

  2. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

    T Parkner

  3. Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

    T D Sandahl

  4. Department of Biostatistics, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark

    B M Bibby

Authors
  1. T Parkner
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  2. J K Nielsen
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  3. T D Sandahl
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  4. B M Bibby
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  5. B S Jensen
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  6. J S Christiansen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to T Parkner.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Parkner, T., Nielsen, J., Sandahl, T. et al. Do all patients with type 2 diabetes need breakfast?. Eur J Clin Nutr 65, 761–763 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.18

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