The American Diabetes Association believes that eggs are a good food option and a great source of protein for people with diabetes.However, the relationship between egg consumption and the risk of diabetes from studies is not consistent.This is due to the high content of cholesterol, but dietary cholesterol doesn’t affect blood cholesterol as much as we might think.Westend61 / Getty ImagesBenefits of EggsEggs are known as a strong source of protein. Other benefits include:Vitamin AVitamin DAntioxidantsPotassiumBiotinCollectively these nutrients are known to:Protect against free radicalsHelp with brain functionImprove visionBoost the immune systemHelp organs such as the lungs and kidney function properlyIn general, eggs do have health benefits for your overall health, and they are also known to benefit diabetes patients.Studies found that consuming eggs for breakfast is known to control the blood sugar levels of diabetes patients throughout the day. The study also found that those who consumed eggs and low carbohydrates had a stable glucose reading for 24 hours and lower blood sugar spikes.Cholesterol From Eggs and DiabetesEggs have high amounts of cholesterol, so it has been advised in the past that people consume them with caution.However, studies have shown that dietary cholesterol doesn’t have such a large impact on blood cholesterol. It is the mixture of consuming fats and carbohydrates that create a negative impact on the blood cholesterol level.Previous dietary guidelines suggested that people limit their cholesterol from food to no more than 300 milligrams per day. The current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americansno longer recommends a specific limit, but instead emphasizes a healthy overall dietary pattern emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean protein sources. Such a diet will naturally limit cholesterol intake.In moderation,eggs can be a healthy part of that diet. One large egg has 186 milligrams of cholesterol, with most of the cholesterol coming from the yolk. Egg white is a wonderful option for diabetes patients.Healthy Meal Plan for People With DiabetesWorking Eggs Into Your DietIf you are a diabetic and want to consume eggs, the high protein content can be beneficial.Protein is known to reduce the absorption of glucose. Along with the vitamins and minerals, eggs have a wonderful source of nutrients that help develop insulin and reduces the risk of disease.When consuming eggs, the foods that you eat with them and how you prepare them is important.Healthy PairingsWhen you eat eggs, it is advised to skip the high fat foods like bacon and sausage to eat with it. Ahard-boiled eggwith fruit or scrambled egg with a whole wheat muffin are healthier choices that will provide the health benefits of what the egg offers.
The American Diabetes Association believes that eggs are a good food option and a great source of protein for people with diabetes.
However, the relationship between egg consumption and the risk of diabetes from studies is not consistent.This is due to the high content of cholesterol, but dietary cholesterol doesn’t affect blood cholesterol as much as we might think.
Westend61 / Getty Images
Benefits of Eggs
Eggs are known as a strong source of protein. Other benefits include:
Collectively these nutrients are known to:
In general, eggs do have health benefits for your overall health, and they are also known to benefit diabetes patients.
Studies found that consuming eggs for breakfast is known to control the blood sugar levels of diabetes patients throughout the day. The study also found that those who consumed eggs and low carbohydrates had a stable glucose reading for 24 hours and lower blood sugar spikes.
Cholesterol From Eggs and Diabetes
Eggs have high amounts of cholesterol, so it has been advised in the past that people consume them with caution.
However, studies have shown that dietary cholesterol doesn’t have such a large impact on blood cholesterol. It is the mixture of consuming fats and carbohydrates that create a negative impact on the blood cholesterol level.
Previous dietary guidelines suggested that people limit their cholesterol from food to no more than 300 milligrams per day. The current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americansno longer recommends a specific limit, but instead emphasizes a healthy overall dietary pattern emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean protein sources. Such a diet will naturally limit cholesterol intake.
In moderation,eggs can be a healthy part of that diet. One large egg has 186 milligrams of cholesterol, with most of the cholesterol coming from the yolk. Egg white is a wonderful option for diabetes patients.
Healthy Meal Plan for People With Diabetes
Working Eggs Into Your Diet
If you are a diabetic and want to consume eggs, the high protein content can be beneficial.
Protein is known to reduce the absorption of glucose. Along with the vitamins and minerals, eggs have a wonderful source of nutrients that help develop insulin and reduces the risk of disease.
When consuming eggs, the foods that you eat with them and how you prepare them is important.
Healthy PairingsWhen you eat eggs, it is advised to skip the high fat foods like bacon and sausage to eat with it. Ahard-boiled eggwith fruit or scrambled egg with a whole wheat muffin are healthier choices that will provide the health benefits of what the egg offers.
Healthy Pairings
When you eat eggs, it is advised to skip the high fat foods like bacon and sausage to eat with it. Ahard-boiled eggwith fruit or scrambled egg with a whole wheat muffin are healthier choices that will provide the health benefits of what the egg offers.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Diabetes Association.Protein.Wang X, Son M, Meram C, Wu J.Mechanism and potential of egg consumption and egg bioactive components on type-2 diabetes.Nutrients. 2019;11(2):357. doi:10.3390/nu11020357Courtney R Chang, Monique E Francois, Jonathan P Little,Restricting carbohydrates at breakfast is sufficient to reduce 24-hour exposure to postprandial hyperglycemia and improve glycemic variability.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2019;109(5):1302–1309. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy261Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Cholesterol.Carson JAS, Lichtenstein AH, Anderson CAM, et al.Dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular risk: A science advisory from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2020;141(3):e39-e53. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000743Harvard Health Publishing.Eggs and your health.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Diabetes Association.Protein.Wang X, Son M, Meram C, Wu J.Mechanism and potential of egg consumption and egg bioactive components on type-2 diabetes.Nutrients. 2019;11(2):357. doi:10.3390/nu11020357Courtney R Chang, Monique E Francois, Jonathan P Little,Restricting carbohydrates at breakfast is sufficient to reduce 24-hour exposure to postprandial hyperglycemia and improve glycemic variability.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2019;109(5):1302–1309. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy261Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Cholesterol.Carson JAS, Lichtenstein AH, Anderson CAM, et al.Dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular risk: A science advisory from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2020;141(3):e39-e53. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000743Harvard Health Publishing.Eggs and your health.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Diabetes Association.Protein.Wang X, Son M, Meram C, Wu J.Mechanism and potential of egg consumption and egg bioactive components on type-2 diabetes.Nutrients. 2019;11(2):357. doi:10.3390/nu11020357Courtney R Chang, Monique E Francois, Jonathan P Little,Restricting carbohydrates at breakfast is sufficient to reduce 24-hour exposure to postprandial hyperglycemia and improve glycemic variability.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2019;109(5):1302–1309. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy261Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Cholesterol.Carson JAS, Lichtenstein AH, Anderson CAM, et al.Dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular risk: A science advisory from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2020;141(3):e39-e53. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000743Harvard Health Publishing.Eggs and your health.
American Diabetes Association.Protein.
Wang X, Son M, Meram C, Wu J.Mechanism and potential of egg consumption and egg bioactive components on type-2 diabetes.Nutrients. 2019;11(2):357. doi:10.3390/nu11020357
Courtney R Chang, Monique E Francois, Jonathan P Little,Restricting carbohydrates at breakfast is sufficient to reduce 24-hour exposure to postprandial hyperglycemia and improve glycemic variability.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2019;109(5):1302–1309. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy261
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Cholesterol.
Carson JAS, Lichtenstein AH, Anderson CAM, et al.Dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular risk: A science advisory from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2020;141(3):e39-e53. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000743
Harvard Health Publishing.Eggs and your health.
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