AIM: To demonstrate that CGM is an effective clinical tool to assess the impact of different breakfast cereals on post prandial glucose levels (BGLs).

Methods: 10 volunteers (6 female and 4 males, with a mean age of 64 years) with type 2 diabetes on oral hypoglycaemic agents were selected to participate. Pre-sealed 50g quantities of 3 types of breakfast cereals (Goodness Superfoods Heart 1st, Kellogg’s Just Right and  Uncle Toby’s Fibre Plus) and 250ml UHT skim milk packs were given to each subject. They were instructed to have breakfast at 7am consecutively for 9 days, consuming each brand with 250mls milk daily for 3 successive days. Oral hypoglycaemics were withheld until 2 hours post breakfast. Each subject was fitted with a Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system for the duration of the study. Evaluation was based on CGM results and comparison of post prandial rise of BGLs from baseline to peak level for each cereal.

Results: Heart 1st cereal demonstrated a 50% reduction in the area under the curve for BGLs. When compared to the other two breakfast cereals Heart 1st had a reduced BGLs rise peak of 2.9mmol in comparison to Just Right (4.16mmol) and Fibre Plus (3.83mmol) statistically significant (p in both cases of 0.024).

Conclusions: The use of continuous glucose monitoring is an effective tool in type 2 diabetes in the provision of more than just the nutritional content of foods. Analysis of post prandial glucose differences between the 3 breakfast cereals highlights the benefits of CGM in identifying how glucose is absorbed from foods. Food choices influenced by this knowledge could assist in the reduction of spikes in post prandial BGLs and therefore overall blood glucose control. Further studies using CGM in comparing food types and brands are needed to increase awareness and empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding the foods they consume.