Breakfast, Meals

Can Diabetics Eat Chick-fil-A Breakfast?

I love Chick-fil-A, but I never tried their breakfast before. Last week, I had some at Atlanta Hartfield Jackons Airport. It was so good, I wanted more. But, I was worried about my diabetes.

So, I decided to watch my blood sugar levels closely. This time, I used my CGM to monitor my blood sugar.

Table of Contents

The Chick-fil-A Breakfast Experiment

I have Type 2 Diabetes, so I wanted to see how this breakfast will affect my glucose levels. There is no Chick-fil-A breakfast menu. So I picked one of the common meals.

The Chick-fil-A Breakfast Menu Items

The breakfast meal in our experiment consisted of:

  • Chicken Biscuit
  • Hash Browns
  • Regular Coffee with Two Creams

This combination is a popular choice for many Chick-fil-A patrons, but how does it fare for those with diabetes?

My Blood Sugar Reading

After eating, my blood sugar went up a lot. The result was:

“Hundred and three point spike.”

This big jump in blood sugar is bad news for diabetics. Keeping blood sugar stable is key for their health.

Breaking Down the Culprits

To see why this meal caused a big blood sugar spike, let’s look at each part of the meal.

The Biscuit

The chicken biscuit is a big reason for the spike. It’s made with refined flour, which quickly raises blood sugar. The chicken’s breading adds more carbs.

Hash Browns

Hash browns also cause a big jump in blood sugar. Potatoes are high in starch, which turns to sugar fast. Fried hash browns make it even worse.

Coffee with Cream

Black coffee doesn’t usually cause blood sugar spikes. But adding cream makes it worse. The coffee with two creams added to the spike.

The Chicken

Even the chicken might have raised blood sugar. As the experiment showed:

“I guess the chicken was breaded, so that’s also to blame.”

While protein doesn’t typically cause significant blood sugar spikes on its own, the breading on the chicken and its combination with other high-carb items in the meal likely contributed to the overall glucose increase.

Chick-fil-A Diabetic Menu

Well there is no chick-fil-A diabetic menu. If you like Chick-fil-A breakfast but want to avoid blood sugar spikes, there are options.

Skipping the Hash Browns

One big change is to skip the hash browns. As I said :

“Probably hard to give up on those hash browns, but, yeah, maybe try it without the hash browns.”

Without hash browns, the meal won’t affect your blood sugar as much.

Modifying Your Coffee

If you love coffee with breakfast, try it black or with a sugar-free creamer. This can cut down the carbs in your meal.

The Importance of Monitoring Diabetes

This study shows how key blood sugar checks are for diabetics. Checking your glucose often, especially after eating, helps you see how foods affect you.

Using Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)

Many with diabetes use Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) to watch their sugar levels. These devices are great for trying new foods or eating out. They show how your glucose changes right away.

Keeping a Food Diary

Keeping a food diary is also helpful for diabetics. It lets you spot patterns and make smart diet choices. This is especially useful when eating out at places like Chick-fil-A.

The Bigger Picture: Balancing Enjoyment and Health

Even though this study might seem bad for diabetics, managing diabetes is about finding balance. Enjoying treats, when planned, can be part of a healthy life.

Working with Healthcare Providers

If you love Chick-fil-A breakfast and have diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider or a dietitian. They can help you eat your favorite foods while keeping your blood sugar in check.

Practicing Portion Control

When eating high-carb meals like Chick-fil-A, control your portions to avoid blood sugar spikes. You could share your meal or save some for later.

Balancing with Exercise

Exercise can lower blood sugar levels. If you’re having a high-carb meal, plan some exercise to help manage your glucose.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices

This study on Chick-fil-A breakfast and diabetes shows important insights. The meal caused a big blood sugar spike. But knowing why can help diabetics make better choices.

Living with diabetes doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods. It’s about knowing how they affect you and making choices that fit your health goals. By being aware and working with healthcare providers, diabetics can enjoy meals out while keeping their blood sugar in check.

The key is to stay informed, check your blood sugar often, and make choices that are best for your health. With careful planning and moderation, diabetics can enjoy Chick-fil-A breakfast without harming their health.