He had always believed he was perfectly healthy. But one day, while working, the 52-year-old suddenly collapsed and never made it out of the hospital alive.

Mr. Chu, a construction worker from China, often joked that diabetes was a “rich man’s disease” and that people who labored on construction sites every day—like him—could never develop such an illness. Five years earlier, his medical report showed a fasting blood glucose level of 11.2 mmol/L, clearly indicating diabetes. Yet he ignored the warning and made no effort to change his eating habits. He never even touched a glucometer after that check-up.

One afternoon, while transporting bags of cement, Mr. Chu suddenly fell onto a pile of sand. When coworkers reached him, he was already unconscious. The glucometer in the ambulance showed “HIGH,” signaling dangerously elevated blood sugar. As the nurse drew his blood, crystals of glucose appeared in the syringe—evidence of extreme hyperglycemia. The dramatic spike in blood glucose caused a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic coma, a life-threatening emergency.

Doctors later explained to his family that his condition deteriorated rapidly largely because of years of poor dietary habits. Breakfast, in particular, had been an overlooked but significant factor. Skipping it, eating too late, or relying on unhealthy choices gradually damaged his metabolic system.

Not long after being admitted, Mr. Chu sadly passed away. His case has become a warning: these four types of breakfast can destabilize blood sugar for the entire day and significantly harm long-term health.

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1. High-Calorie, Deep-Fried Breakfasts

Foods like deep-fried dough sticks, fried pastries, or oily pancakes are common morning favorites because of their crispy texture. However, they are extremely high in calories and fat. Overconsumption increases the risk of obesity and disrupts blood sugar regulation.
Additionally, deep-fried foods cooked at high temperatures may produce harmful substances, including potential carcinogens. Eating them frequently places long-term stress on the pancreas and cardiovascular system.

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2. Breakfast Made Only of Refined Carbohydrates

Meals such as white porridge, rice noodles, or steamed buns may seem light and harmless, but they are all refined carbohydrates. These foods are digested quickly, causing rapid spikes in blood sugar and a surge in insulin release.
Over time, this contributes to insulin resistance, a major driver of type 2 diabetes and metabolic disorders. Even people who feel “healthy” may be silently damaging their glucose control with these choices.

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3. Eating Breakfast Too Late

Many people sleep in and only eat breakfast when they wake up naturally. But eating too late prolongs the fasting period, leading to unstable glucose levels. At this stage, the stomach empties slowly, and consuming food can cause sharp blood sugar fluctuations that are difficult for the body to manage.
Regularly delaying breakfast disrupts the body’s internal clock and may gradually weaken metabolic efficiency.

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4. An Overly Simple, Unbalanced Breakfast

Some people eat only one item for breakfast—such as eggs, steamed buns, or a single fried snack. While protein intake is beneficial, a monotonous breakfast lacking fiber and balanced nutrients speeds up digestion, causing a rapid rise in blood glucose after meals.
Because the stomach empties too quickly, hunger returns sooner, leading to overeating at the next meal. This cycle places continuous strain on blood sugar control and increases the risk of diabetes over time.

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A Final Reminder

Mr. Chu’s tragic case highlights how easily diabetes can be ignored until it becomes fatal. Breakfast, though often rushed or overlooked, plays a critical role in stabilizing blood sugar and protecting long-term health. Choosing balanced meals—with protein, whole grains, vegetables, and healthy fats—can significantly reduce the risk of metabolic disease.