Meal sequencing shows only short-term blood sugar effects

An analysis of 18 randomized controlled studies published in the journal Clinical Nutrition indicates that meal sequencing—the practice of eating vegetables before carbohydrates—produces only temporary metabolic changes.

The research, conducted by the German Diabetes Center, shows that consuming vegetables first leads to lower blood sugar and insulin levels within the first 30 to 60 minutes after a meal. However, this effect is not sustained; after approximately two hours, the group following the specific sequence showed higher blood sugar levels compared to those who ate without a specific order.

Nutrition scientist Katharina Kampmann-Gongoll noted that while the order of food consumption can influence short-term metabolic reactions, it does not provide a permanent advantage for blood sugar regulation. Currently, there is no scientific evidence that meal sequencing leads to a long-term improvement in HbA1c levels for individuals with type 2 diabetes, as existing data on this metric remains methodologically uncertain.