Blog What To Eat Before Glucose Test: Foods To Eat And Avoid

What To Eat Before Glucose Test: Foods To Eat And Avoid

Has your doctor prescribed you a glucose test? You should know “what to eat before glucose test?”

Whatever we eat always leaves an effect on our bodies. Our body simply breaks down all the food we eat in the form of glucose, which is the primary source of energy. Insulin is the chemical that breaks down glucose.

But in the case that, due to some reason, our body fails to break down the glucose, the level of glucose in the blood increases. And in order to determine that, you need to go through a glucose screening test. 

When you are about to do your glucose test, there are some things you need to keep in mind, and the food you should and shouldn’t take is the major one. Here, I will guide you with “what to eat before glucose test?”

Contents

What Is A Glucose Test? 

It is a test when the amount of sugar or glucose in your bloodstream is measured using a blood sample of yours. In order to do a venous glucose test, a really small amount of your blood will be taken into a vial, which will be tested. 

Read More: How Does An Insulin Pen Work?

What To Eat Before Glucose Test

what to eat before glucose test

When you eat something, your body breaks down the carbs into glucose or sugar (in simple terms). We all know that glucose is the main source of our energy. When you are pregnant, there are usually two types of glucose tests for checking the blood sugar levels in order to detect and diagnose gestational diabetes.

Each of these glucose tests needs a different eating strategy. 

In most cases, if the individual doesn’t pass the first test, they are advised to go for the second test. 

Glucose Screening Test

what to eat before glucose test

When you are around 24 to 28 weeks pregnant, you need to go through the glucose screening test. Or, in case you have a higher risk of gestational diabetes, the doctor might ask you to do a glucose screening. It is usually done in the morning. 

This particular screening is also known as a two-step or one-hour glucose test. Here, you need to drink sugary beverages or anything similar to flat soda. Then your blood will be drawn, and after an hour, it will be checked for the glucose level in your blood. 

Here, although you need to drink a sugary drink, that doesn’t mean you will drink something super sweet or simple-carb-laden breakfast. You also shouldn’t skip your morning meal altogether before the first screening. 

Any of these can literally make your sugar level really high. You need to make sure that you have balanced healthy carbs and protein the night before the test and also on the morning of the glucose test. 

Always remember that foods with complex or good carbohydrates are higher in fiber also. That is why they might take longer for your body to digest. Those fibers take time to enter your bloodstream, and as a result, you will not have those pesky blood sugar spikes. 

Here is the list of foods that contain complex carbs. 

  • Vegetables include non-starchy veggies, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, leafy greens, broccoli, and green beans. 
  • Whole grains, such as oatmeal and wheat bread. 
  • Legumes in the form of black beans, chickpeas, lentils, and kidney beans. 
  • Fresh fruits, such as apples, watermelons, and berries. 

Also, for long-lasting energy, you need to balance your meal with protein-filled foods such as nuts and lean meat like poultry, fish, and dairy. 

Here are some healthy breakfast options that will help you to pass your glucose screening on the first try or “what to eat before 1-hour glucose test pregnancy? 

  • Broccoli and cheddar cheese omelet. 
  • Plain Greek yogurt with blueberries. 
  • Whole wheat toast topped with mashed avocado or natural peanut butter. 
  • Whole wheat burrito filled with beans, tomatoes, and scrambled eggs. 
  • Tofu scramble with swiss cheese and spinach. 

Glucose Tolerance Test

what to eat before glucose test

In case your report of the glucose screening test shows a high blood sugar level, you will be advised to go for the glucose tolerance test. It might mean that your body is not producing adequate insulin in order to process the extra glucose your system is making during pregnancy. 

This test is often called a three-hour test or a one-step glucose test. Here, your blood will be taken when you first arrive after fasting ahead of time. Then, you will have a flat-soda-style, sugary drink again, and your blood will be drawn three more times.

There will be an interval of 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours. In order to do the glucose tolerance step, you need to avoid eating around 8 to 14 hours before your scheduled appointment. And when you are thinking, “what not to eat the night before a glucose test?” I recommend you to keep reading the article. 

Foods To Avoid Before Glucose Test

In case you are not going for the fasting blood glucose test, it is absolutely fine if you eat something beforehand. But you always have to remember that having some particular foods can spike your blood sugar and might alter the accuracy of your test. 

Here are some foods that you need to avoid at any cost. 

Refined Carbohydrates

  • White rice.
  • White bread.
  • Any other grain that is made with refined grains, like pasta, bagels, and muffins. 

Sugary Drinks

  • Sweetened tea. 
  • Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda. 
  • Flavored coffee.
  • Fruit-flavored drinks. 

Sweetened Foods Or Desserts

  • Cookies.
  • Sake or pies.
  • Ice cream.
  • Sweetened cereals. 

Starchy Vegetables

  • Corn.
  • Potatoes. 

Fruit Juice

  • Grapefruit juice.
  • Grape juice.
  • Cranberry juice.
  • Orange juice.
  • Apple juice. 
  • 100% juice blends. 

Read More: Diabetes Management: Novel Approaches To Treatment And Monitoring

Final Talks

So, now, you know, “what to eat before glucose test?” Keep all these things in mind when you are going for a glucose test. Also, before the screening, ask the laboratory or clinic for any additional advice or instructions that you need to follow. 

And, in case you fail the glucose screening test, you need to visit your doctor without wasting any more time. Having more sugar and refined food always takes a toll on your body. That is why it is always recommended to have a blanched diet.

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