Savoring Stuffed French Toast with Diabetes: Expert Tips from a Diabetes Dietitian on How to Eat Right

There are so many dishes that people with diabetes often find themselves thinking they can’t have, and French toast is definitely one of them. 

Some may look at this towering breakfast masterpiece and think, "no way, I have diabetes, I can't eat this, my blood sugar will skyrocket." 

But fear not, my friends: with a little bit of planning and attention, you can absolutely enjoy this beauty without sacrificing your blood sugar control.

 Let's talk about how to navigate the potential blood sugar roller coaster that comes with indulging in such a delicious treat.

First things first, make sure you pre-bolus before diving in. Taking insulin before you eat, can help to prevent blood sugar spikes after a meal. The timing and amount of insulin you take will depend on factors such as the amount of carbohydrates in the meal, your current blood sugar level, and your individual insulin sensitivity.

Now, let's break down this dish into more manageable parts for carb counting.

The brioche bread tends to be denser and richer than regular bread, which means it may have more carbohydrates per slice. Because of this, if you were to have a triple stack with 4 pieces, it would be about 100 grams of carbs for just the bread.

Next, the cream cheese frosting and stuffing in the stuffed French toast can add up in the carbohydrate department. Cream cheese frosting can be particularly high in carbohydrates due to the added sugar, which can impact blood sugar levels quickly. The frosting alone could be around 40 grams, and there's likely some stuffing in there as well, so be aware ofthis.

On top of it all, There could be caramel, berries, and other toppings. Adding caramel and berries to stuffed French toast can certainly add to the carbohydrate content of the dish, which could mean  a total 165 grams of carbs if you eat the entire plate.

So, how do we manage all of these carbs? 

First, sharing the dish would be a great starting point. This can help to reduce the overall carbohydrate intake and provide a more manageable portion size for both people.

Second, pay attention to the fat and protein in the dish. French toast is dipped in eggs, so there will be some fat and protein there. The whipped cream and frosting also have some fat, so be aware that this could affect your blood sugar control later on.

Overall, enjoy the food, but be mindful of the carb count and the potential impact of fat and protein. Don't be afraid to try new things and enjoy delicious food, just make sure to plan ahead and keep an eye on your blood sugar levels.

And remember, if you need a little boost to treat low blood sugar, that cream cheese frosting could come in handy!