Abstract
Hospital biscuit snacks offered to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients may adversely affect glycaemic control. This study investigated the effect of lupin mid-meal biscuit snacks, compared to spelt or standard hospital biscuits, on interstitial glucose levels in post-operative T2DM inpatients. In a pilot cross-over pragmatic study, 20 patients (74 ± 12 years) consumed, in order, lupin biscuits (20% lupin), wholemeal spelt and standard plain sweet biscuits as mid-meal snacks (2 biscuits each for morning and afternoon tea) on three consecutive days. Continuous glucose monitoring, appetite perceptions and bowel motions were recorded. Glucose levels were not significantly different in the first 90 min after mid-meal biscuit consumption at morning and afternoon tea, irrespective of type. However, after consuming the lupin biscuits only, glucose levels were significantly (p < 0.001) reduced 90 min postprandially after dinner, indicating a potential second-meal effect. Patients also reported improved satiety after lupin biscuit consumption on day 1, compared to days 2 and 3 (p = 0.018). These findings suggest that lupin-enriched biscuits may improve both glycaemic control and satiety in hospitalised T2DM patients, potentially contributing to reduced length of stay. Larger controlled studies are warranted to confirm these findings and inform potential revision of hospital menu standards for T2DM patients.