How the order of food intake impacts blood sugar in patients with pre-diabetes.

This study wanted to find out if the order a meal was consumed in had any impact on blood glucose for patients with pre-diabetes. The study found that patients who ate protein and vegetables before they ate carbohydrates had less variable blood glucose levels than those who ate carbohydrates first.

It has been found previously that the order in which nutrient groups are consumed has an effect on the blood glucose levels of those with type 2 diabetes.

This study consisted of 15 patients with diagnosed pre-diabetes. Before each test, the patients fasted overnight for 12 hours. They were then given a meal and told to eat the carbohydrates first, or the protein and vegetables first. Their blood was taken and tested until 3 hours after the meal. Each patient did this test six times, three eating carbohydrate first, three eating protein and vegetables first.

The authors found that blood glucose levels were lower when the patients ate the protein and vegetables first, compared to when the carbohydrates were eaten first. On average, blood glucose levels were 39% lower when vegetables and protein were eaten first.

The study concluded that eating the protein and vegetable components of a meal first resulted in lower blood glucose after the meal in patients with pre-diabetes, compared to eating the carbohydrate first.

This study is very small. A larger study should take place to determine if these results are valid.

See if it is practical for you to use the results of this study in your life. Consult with your doctor.