Naked Science Forum

General Science => Question of the Week => Topic started by: jamest on 02/04/2024 17:20:29

Title: QotW - 24.04.05 - Does the order in which you eat food affect glucose spikes?
Post by: jamest on 02/04/2024 17:20:29

Steve writes in to say,

I have seen several people recently saying its the order you eat the food that makes a difference to glucose spikes and can be reduced by up to 70% by eating veggies first, then fats and proteins and then carbs and sugars last.
Do you think there could be any truth to this?

Title: Re: QotW - 24.04.05 - Does the order in which you eat food affect glucose spikes?
Post by: Eternal Student on 03/04/2024 12:51:36

Hi.

   Seems reasonable.   I wouldn't want to put any numbers on it like the 70% mentioned in the OP.
There is always going to be some carbohydrate in the vegetables and the other stuff you've eaten first.  So you will be picking up your blood sugar levels a little at the start,  a healthy person will start producing insulin and reducing glucagon.   All of this is going to mean that you are more capable of dealing with a larger quantity of carbohydrates at the end of the meal while maintaining a lower blood sugar level.

    If you have diabetes, then you may not be in the "healthy" or typical response category mentoned above.   The eating strategy may help but it's not a complete treatment plan and you must follow medical advice.

Best Wishes.

Title: Re: QotW - 24.04.05 - Does the order in which you eat food affect glucose spikes?
Post by: alancalverd on 03/04/2024 15:42:00

The good news is that this order is pretty much how many people eat a main meal. Veggie soup or a salad starter, meat/fish, pudding.