PET-CT Scan

/ Diet Plan

PET-CT diet plan

Before your exam

If your PET-CT scan is for cancer
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  • Follow a low carbohydrate diet for 24 hours
  • Do not eat for six hours
    • This includes tube feeding
  • Do not chew gum
  • You may drink only water
If your PET-CT scan is for a sarcoid heart scan, infection or inflammation
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  • Follow a low carbohydrate diet for 48 hours
  • Do not eat foods with more than 5g of carbohydrates per serving, no more than 15g of carbohydrates per meal and no more than 50g of carbohydrates per day.
  • Do not eat for 18 hours
    • This includes tube feeding. Low carbohydrate meals may be necessary.
  • Do not chew gum
  • You may drink only water

Suggested foods

Protein

Non-breaded beef, chicken, turkey, fish, pork, lamb, ham (without honey), hot dogs, lunch meats, fish, shellfish and eggs.

Dairy

Cheese, sour cream, butter and half and half Vegetables: Green beans, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, mushrooms, radishes, spinach and zucchini.

Condiments

Mayonnaise, salad dressing oil, vinegar, mustard, hot sauce, tartar sauce, olives and dill pickles.

Beverages

Diet soda, black coffee or tea (may add artificial sweetener and half and half), water (diet flavored included) and sugar free crystal light.

Menu suggestions

Breakfast
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  • Bacon/sausage and eggs
  • Ham and cheese omelet
  • Veggie and cheese omelet
Lunch
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  • Egg salad
  • Chef salad (no tomato)
  • Ham and cheese wrapped in lettuce leaves
Snacks
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  • Cheese stick
  • Hard boiled egg
Dinner
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  • Veggie/meat soup made with canned broth and without vegetables on the "avoid" list
  • Cheeseburger no bun
  • Chicken

Foods to avoid

All foods containing sugar, and most processed foods, even “low-carb” items.

Fruits and vegetables
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  • All fruits
  • Potatoes
  • Corn
  • Carrots
  • Legumes (beans)
  • Tomatoes
  • Peas
  • Squash
  • Veggie burgers
Breads and grains
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  • All types of grains
  • Rice
  • Breaded foods
  • Pastas/noodles
  • Rice cakes
  • Rice (brown and white)
  • Crackers
Beverages
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  • Beer, wine, liquor
  • Juices
Snack foods
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  • Chips/pretzels
  • Candy, gum
  • Cough drops
  • Breath mints
  • All nuts and nut butters
Other
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  • Protein bars and drinks
  • Syrups
  • Jams
  • Ketchup
  • Sauces and gravies