Ping also put Pete on a continuous glucose monitoring device. What is self blood glucose monitoring? Chewing gum: A person should avoid chewing gum, even if it does not contain sugar, when they are fasting for a blood test. A person may need to avoid all eating and drinking for 8 hours before the test, as well as avoid drinking alcohol and taking some prescription medications. Typically, people are asked to fast for 12 hours before the test. "They’re both very common and are linked by…