According to an article from AARP, research published by the Journal of Nutrition shows that breakfast skippers are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than breakfast eaters. The study authors report that’s largely because those who skip the meal tend to have a higher BMI (body mass index — a ratio of weight to height used to estimate body fat).

Other studies have established that eating breakfast can be key to maintaining a healthy weight, which in turn lowers your risk for a number of conditions, including type 2 diabetes.

Toast with jelly or jam, oatmeal, yogurt, egg burritos and simple fruit smoothies are great, low-calorie, high-energy breakfasts that can contribute to an overall diabetes wellness regimen. The key is to NOT just skip breakfast, but to get in the habit of eating something in the mornings, even if it’s just a piece of toast with coffee or tea.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic disorders in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many complications. Acute complications can include diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, or death. Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, foot ulcers, and damage to the eyes. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced.

Type 1 DM results from the pancreas’s failure to produce enough insulin. This form was previously referred to as “insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus” (IDDM) or “juvenile diabetes”.The cause is unknown.

Type 2 DM begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly. As the disease progresses a lack of insulin may also develop.