Carbohydrate-last meal pattern lowers postprandial glucose and insulin excursions in type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the timing of carbohydrate ingestion during a meal and postprandial glucose regulation. METHODS: Sixteen subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) consumed the same meal on 3 days in random order: carbohydrate first, followed 10 min later by protein and vegetables; protein and vegetables first, followed 10 min later by carbohydrate; or all components together. Blood was sampled for glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and glucagon measurements at baseline (just before meal ingestion) and subsequently at 30 min intervals up to 180 min. RESULTS: : 3487.56±327.7 vs 2519.11±494.8 pg/mL×min, p=0.019) following the carbohydrate-last meal order compared with carbohydrate first. CONCLUSION: The carbohydrate-last meal pattern may be an effective behavioral strategy to improve postprandial glycemia.