Fasting before blood test - any tips?

[Crokes]

Hello family roomers

I have been to the doctors (so I'm not asking for medical solutions) but I'm hoping someone has some useful tips!

I have one of those 'fast for 12 hours beforehand' bood tests. I understand the reasons for the fast (and that a good time to do it is overnight) but are there any tips for good things to eat just before the fast starts that will keep me going when I get up in the morning? (I'm currently on a high calorie diet so it's going to be a bit of a shock to the system!).

Thanks in advance.

[canela]

don't think of it as a fast - it's just skipping breakfast really. have a big meal the night before and you will be fine.

[simonethebeaver]

Slow release carbs would be good. Oatcakes? With a bit of protein to slow them down even more, so cheese or hummous on them. You can make them pretty calorific if you try hard enough! Ice cream is also quite a good thing as the fat content makes the sugar release more slowly. Basically the sort of snacks that type II diabetics often have before bed, to keep their blood sugar levels more even through the night.

[GinaG3]

Honestly, try not to think about it! I have to do it quite a bit for blood tests and for operations too (which I have to often wait until 1.30-3.30pm to go in for - that is ultra hard). Try to just get up in the morning and get over for the blood tests as quickly as you can after you get up and take a snack for straight after if you need it. Your mind is always more focused on eating because you know you cant, in my experience anyway, but the majority of the fast is spent sleeping. Just imagine a late breakfast, maybe treat yourself to a nice breakfast on the way home/to your next destination?

[Crokes]

Thank you all - great tips and yes, it wasn't as bed as expected. Ate loads the night before, discovered savoury oatcakes, took food for after etc etc and I LOVED the ice cream tip!

[Kes]

on this theme - any idea when is now the best time to do to dulwich hospital for blood tests? Non fasting so can be anytime but will be dragging baby along too so don't want to be there for hours as I have been in the past!

[Crokes]

There's a couple of threads on this that are useful (search blood tests). I went on a Wednesday around 8.45am and only waited 20mins. It seemed very quiet compared to other visits.