Introduction
Hospital visits, often accompanied by blood work, can be a stressful experience. It’s not uncommon to worry about the test’s accuracy or whether your results will come back as normal. However, with proper preparation and an understanding of what you should be eating, your blood work results can provide you with peace of mind.
The Pre-Blood Work Diet: A Guide to What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Eat
What you consume can affect blood test accuracy. For accurate results, it is vital to prepare for blood work with a healthy, balanced diet. Here are a few tips on what you should eat before your blood test:
Foods to Eat Before Blood Work
- Low-fat proteins: Eating proteins like eggs, skinless chicken, or tofu can help keep you satiated while ensuring that your body maintains protein levels necessary for your blood test.
- Complex carbohydrates: The right kind of carbohydrates like brown rice, quinoa, and wheat pasta can provide the body with long-lasting energy.
- Fiber: Fiber-rich foods like oatmeal, flaxseed, lentils, and beans are excellent choices for pre-blood work as they can help keep you full and regulate your blood sugar levels.
- Vegetables and fruits: These are essential for maintaining proper vitamin and mineral levels in your body. Opt for options low in sugar to avoid sugar spikes that can affect your test results.
- Plenty of water: Hydration is essential for both good health and successful blood work, so be sure to drink plenty of water.
Foods to Avoid Before Blood Work
Avoid these before your blood test:
- High-fat, high-sugar, and processed foods: These include foods high in saturated fats like pizza and burgers, and sweets like candy and chocolate. These can spike your cholesterol levels, making it harder for your doctor to interpret your results accurately.
- Alcohol: Alcohol can lead to dehydration and may affect liver and kidney function tests.
- Caffeine: Caffeine can cause dehydration, leading to inaccurate test results, especially for kidney functions.
- Energy drinks: These high-caffeine beverages can significantly affect blood pressure and heart rates, leading to inaccurate blood test results.
- Fatty meats: These meats can cause high levels of cholesterol and saturated fats in your body, affecting your test results.
Why Fasting May Be Your Best Bet Before Blood Work: Here’s What the Experts Say
Explanation of Fasting
Fasting is refraining from eating or drinking anything other than water for several hours before a blood test, usually around 8-12 hours. However, the specific time may depend on what the test is for and what your healthcare provider recommends.
Why Fasting is Beneficial Before Blood Work
Fasting allows your body to process the last meal you ate effectively. It has been known to reduce the number of lipids and glucose in your bloodstream, which could positively affect blood test results. Fasting is also commonly used before cholesterol and glucose level testing.
When is It Required to Fast Before Blood Work?
The requirement for fasting depends on the specific test your doctor orders. There are specific blood tests that require fasting, such as cholesterol tests, blood sugar tests, and liver function tests.
Alternatives to Fasting
There are instances when fasting is not recommended. For instance, if you suffer from diabetes or asthma, or you take any medications required with a meal, it’s essential to speak with your doctor before fasting. Your healthcare provider may recommend alternatives to fasting such as restricting your diet to only clear liquids.
The Top 5 Foods to Avoid Before Getting Your Blood Drawn
While eating certain foods before a blood test can help maintain proper vitamin and nutrient levels, you should avoid certain foods to receive an accurate test result. Here are five of the top foods people should avoid before blood work:
Processed Foods
Processed foods, which typically contain high amounts of salts, sugars, and trans fats, should be avoided for a day before you get your blood drawn. This can distort the results of tests that look at heart health.
Red Meat
Red meat can contain a higher fat content, which can clog up your blood vessels and also influence cholesterol tests. Avoid eating steak or hot dogs 24 hours or more before getting your blood drawn.
Alcohol
Alcohol can help dehydrate you and lead to electrolyte imbalance. Avoid drinking before a blood test, especially for liver function tests.
Caffeine
Caffeine can contribute to dehydration and increases the levels of cortisol, which might obscure results of a stress test.
High-Fat Foods
Dietary fat can cause a surge of triacylglycerides (TAGs) that lasts for 24 hours or more, which can impact lipid tests. Steer clear of cheeseburgers, french fries, and pizza at least a day before your blood work.
The Surprising Effect Food Can Have on Blood Test Results
How Certain Foods Can Affect Blood Test Results
Eating the wrong food before your blood test can result in certain mineral deficiencies or gastrointestinal discomfort. Some nutrients impact your test results, including:[1]
- Calcium
- Vitamin A and K
- Vitamin C
Each of these nutrients impacts blood clotting and can affect the results of a coagulation test.
The Importance of a Proper Diet in Interpreting Blood Test Results
A proper diet is essential in interpreting blood tests correctly. Malnutrition or unhealthy eating patterns can lead to vitamin deficiencies and impact your blood test results. For example, a vitamin C deficiency can distort the results of a pregnancy or ovulation test. Speak to your dietician or physician to get an idea of what nutrients you should require more of in your diet.
The Role of Physicians and Dieticians in Interpreting Effects of Food on Blood Test Results
Your physician or dietician can help you interpret blood test results, advise you on nutrient requirements, and help you design a healthy diet plan.
Does Coffee Count as Breaking Your Fast? Everything You Need to Know Before Your Blood Work Appointment
Detailed Explanation of Caffeine and Its Effects on Blood Work
Caffeine stimulates your nervous system and can impact your blood pressure and heart rate. This can affect bloodwork accuracy, such as glucose tolerance tests. High-caffeine drinks, including tea, coffee, and energy drinks, can lead to dehydration that can impact your blood volume and electrolyte balance.
How Coffee Affects Fasting
Drinking coffee counts as breaking your fast, as it activates your digestive system. Coffee intake should be avoided for 8-12 hours before you get your blood drawn.
Caffeine Alternatives Before Blood Work
An excellent alternative to coffee would be low-caffeine beverages like green tea or herbal tea. Decaffeinated coffee is also an excellent choice before your blood work appointment.
The Role of Physicians and Dieticians in Interpreting the Effects of Caffeine on Blood Test Results
Your physician or dietician can advise you about caffeine intake, as a high protein diet does not always have an impact on test result interpretation.
Conclusion
Preparing for your blood work is essential for an accurate diagnosis. To ensure that you receive optimal results, ensure that you speak with your healthcare provider before the test, and carefully monitor your diet. Understanding which foods to eat and which to avoid can help ensure successful blood test results. Speak with your dietician or physician to address any ongoing diet concerns related to your bloodwork.
References
- WebMD (2021) “What to Know About Food and Drink Before Your Blood Tests.
