Herbal Tea (Other Than Chamomile, Brewed) (1 Cup (8 Fl Oz))

Drink the tea plain: avoid honey, sugar, syrups, sweetened lemon mixes, flavored creamers, and sweetened plant milks.

Check the ingredient label for hidden sugars or carbohydrate-containing herbs and fruit pieces; choose unsweetened single-herb or unflavored tea bags.

If caffeine may be contributing, try a decaffeinated or naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion and compare your glucose response under similar conditions.

Have the tea with or after a balanced meal rather than on an empty stomach, especially if you notice a repeatable rise when drinking it alone.

Pair it with a small unsweetened snack containing protein and fat, such as a handful of almonds or walnuts, instead of a carbohydrate-rich snack.

Standardize preparation for a few tests—same tea, steep time, serving size, and time of day—and discuss persistent unexpected rises with your clinician, as meter variation or other factors may be involved.