What To Eat Before Pet Scan?

Diet Before Pet Scan

The accuracy of the test depends on the type of diet maintained 24 hours prior. However, It is not necessary to stay hungry before a PET scan. You can always eat food that is rich in protein. A high protein, low carbohydrate diet makes certain that the glucose level in your body is maintained. Food with high carbohydrate and low protein content must be avoided because such food can consistently increase your glucose levels consequently deviating the precise results.

Before the scan keep in mind that

If you are getting a PET-CT scan for cancer:

• Follow a low carbohydrate high protein diet for 24 hours
• Do not eat anything 6 hours prior to the scan
• You should only drink water

If you are getting a PET-CT scan for infection, inflammation, or sarcoid heart scan

• Follow a low carbohydrate high protein diet for48 hours
• Do not eat anything for at least for 6 hours prior to the scan
• You should only drink water.

Food that is suggested for diet before pet scan:

• Poultry- Chicken, duck, turkey
• Seafood and Fish- Prawns, lobster, oysters, crabs, clams, fish
• Dairy Products- Cheese (cottage), butter, sour cream
• Nuts- Almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pine nuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds
• Legumes and beans – Green beans, lentils, chickpeas, split peas
• Vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, lettuce, mushrooms, radishes, spinach, and zucchini
• Condiments: Vinegar, oil, Salad dressing, mayonnaise, and barbeque sauce with 3g or less Carbohydrate per serving, mustard, hot sauce, tartar sauce, olives, and pickles made with a basic brine
• Beverages: Black coffee or tea (may add artificial sweetener), diet soda, and zero-calorie drinks

Food that should be avoided Before PET Scan :

• Fruits and Vegetables- All fruits, potatoes, corn, carrots, legumes (other beans), tomatoes, peas, squash, veggie burgers
• Dairy Products- Milk, yogurt, high fat cheese
• Bread and Grains- All types of grains, rice, breaded foods, pasta/noodles, rice cakes, rice (brown and white)
• Beverages- Beer, wine, liquor, juices, coffee, tea, or any high caffeine food
• Snack Foods- Chips, candy, gum, cough drops, breath mints, chewing gums, jams, and jellies
• Condiments – Ketchup, syrup, sugar, honey

Lastly, do not consume tobacco and drink plenty of water to flush out the radioactive tracers.