Preparing for Your Breath Test
Preparing correctly is one of the most important steps in ensuring accurate hydrogen and methane breath test results.
We're here to help you prepare with confidence, whether you are testing for:
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO)
- Lactose malabsorption
- Fructose malabsorption
- Other carbohydrate digestion concerns
Why Prep for a Hydrogen and Methane Breath Test?
Breath testing is a widely used, noninvasive method for measuring hydrogen and methane produced during intestinal fermentation. But it’s important to carefully prep to minimize background gas levels. Your results should reflect your physiology, not your recent meals.
These preparation instructions are intended as a general guide to help you prepare for your breath test. Always follow the instructions provided by your healthcare clinician, as they are familiar with your individual medical history and testing needs.
General Guidelines Suggest
Following your preparation instructions carefully helps ensure the most accurate breath test results.
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At least four (4) weeks before your breath test, complete any antibiotic treatments.
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At least two (2) weeks before your breath test, consult your healthcare clinician if you are pregnant, have health concerns, follow a special or restricted diet, or have questions about medications or supplements.*
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For at least one (1) week before your breath test, discontinue use of laxatives and/or promotility drugs that promote bowel movements.
*Research on the impact of PPIs on breath testing remains mixed. North American guidelines do not require stopping PPIs. Follow your clinician’s preparation instructions.
Understanding the 24-Hour Breath Test Preparation Process
Breath testing prep is a two-phase process.
First 12 hours: Restricted Diet
- Consume only foods from the permitted list below or as instructed in your test kit.
Final 12 hours: Fasting Period
- Avoid vitamins and dietary supplements during the fasting period and throughout the test.
- Consume only plain water.
- Brush your teeth as usual before beginning the test. Be careful not to swallow toothpaste or mouthwash.
- Be awake for at least one (1) hour before starting the test.
Additional Test Restrictions
To support accurate breath test results:
- Do not smoke or vape for two hours before and throughout the test.
- Do not sleep or exercise for one hour before and throughout the test.
These restrictions help ensure the accuracy of the test.
Permitted Foods and Beverages During the 12-Hour Restricted Breath Test Prep Diet
So, what can you eat and drink during the 12-hour prep before a breath test?
Approved foods may be baked, roasted, air fried, or cooked on the stovetop unless otherwise instructed.
Keep ingredients simple to reduce fermentation before your breath test!
Only consume foods from this list:
Protein
- Eggs
- Plain tofu
- Baked or broiled seafood
- Baked or broiled lean chicken, pork or turkey (90% lean or higher; unseasoned, and without fillers or skins; no deli meat)
Carbohydrates
- Steamed white rice
- Plain white bread
- Boiled or mashed potatoes (no skin)
- Boiled or mashed turnips (no skin)
Beverages
- Plain water
- Plain black coffee
- Plain black or green tea (no herbal teas)
- Broth without any vegetables, sweeteners, additives
Fats and seasoning
- Olive oil (minimal)
- Salt and pepper (minimal)
- Avoid garlic, onion, spice blends, breading, sauces, butter, seasoning packets, dairy products, marinades, breadcrumbs, and other non-approved ingredients.
Dietary Preferences or Food Sensitivities?
If you have food allergies, dietary preferences such as vegetarian eating, or personal intolerances, choose only from the permitted foods that align with your needs. Do not introduce new foods or substitutes that are not listed above.
If you are unsure whether a specific food is appropriate during preparation, consult your clinician before making changes.
Sample Meal Ideas for Breath Test Preparation
Not sure what to make? The simple meals below use only foods from the permitted list. You may mix and match the proteins and sides based on your preferences.
Prepare foods plain, using only a small amount of olive oil, salt, or pepper. Do not add butter, dairy, sauces, marinades, breading, garlic, onion, or seasoning blends.
Plain black coffee or plain, unflavored black or green tea may be consumed during the restricted-diet phase without milk, cream, lemon, or sweeteners. Once the fasting period begins, consume plain water only
Breakfast Ideas
If you tolerate eggs, try one of these simple meals during the 12-hour restricted-diet phase.
Eggs and white rice
Scramble or fry eggs using a small amount of olive oil. Serve with plain white rice and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Eggs and plain white toast
Scramble or fry eggs using a small amount of olive oil. Serve with plain white toast. Do not add butter, cheese, spreads, or other toppings.
Tofu scramble and plain white toast — Vegetarian
Crumble plain tofu and cook it in a skillet using a small amount of olive oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper, and serve with plain white toast without butter, spreads, or other toppings.
Lunch Ideas
Chicken and white rice
Bake, broil, or pan-cook plain chicken using a small amount of olive oil. Serve with plain white rice and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Fish and potatoes
Bake or broil plain fish. Serve with peeled, boiled potatoes or potatoes mashed without milk or butter. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Tofu and white rice — Vegetarian
Cook plain tofu in a skillet using a small amount of olive oil. Serve with plain white rice and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Dinner Ideas
Eat normal portion sizes. Avoid unusually large or heavy meals before the fasting period begins.
Lean ground turkey and potatoes
Cook plain lean ground turkey in a skillet using a small amount of olive oil if needed. Serve with peeled, boiled potatoes or potatoes mashed without milk or butter.
Pork tenderloin and white rice
Bake, broil, or pan-cook trimmed pork tenderloin using a small amount of olive oil. Serve with plain white rice and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Tofu and potatoes — Vegetarian
Lightly cook plain tofu in a skillet using a small amount of olive oil. Serve with peeled, boiled potatoes and season lightly with salt and pepper.
You're Ready to Breath Test
Preparing for a hydrogen or methane breath test may feel restrictive, but following each step carefully helps minimize background gas levels and gives your clinician clearer information to interpret.
These meal ideas are examples only and apply to the 12-hour restricted-diet phase. Once that phase ends, begin your 12-hour fast and consume plain water only.
Always follow the Instructions for Use included with your test kit and any directions provided by your clinician. If their instructions differ from the information on this page, follow their instructions.
QuinTron is here to try and help make each step of your breath test as clear and straightforward as possible. Thank you for taking the time to prepare carefully. Following these instructions helps minimize background gas levels and gives your clinician clearer information to interpret.