To ensure a successful Ozempic treatment plan, there are certain ozempic foods to avoid or atleast to limit their intake. One of the most common side effects of ozempic is its effect on the gastric system. Because of this, it is very important to avoid foods that can worsen or trigger the gastric symptoms. 

This article talks about all groups of “Ozempic foods to avoid” to help Ozempic better control insulin production and release. Dietary changes have a direct effect on blood sugar levels and dietary monitoring should always be done when taking any medication for diabetes.

While we say this, it is also equally true that there is no rigid “Ozempic diet”. The basic idea is to maintain an overall healthy diet pattern.

List of Ozempic Foods to Avoid

Limit Carbohydrates

Carbs are the first thing to manage in diabetes. Ofcourse, they are needed for energy production, but a high carbs diet can quickly raise the blood sugar levels. It is very important to stick to the portion sizes to balance blood sugar. Always try to stick to only 50-60 grams of carbs in every meal and only 15-20 grams of carbs per snack. Some relaxation may be done only on the basis of activity level and age.

Only Complex Carbohydrates

One should always opt for complex carbs, such as vegetables, legumes, nuts/seeds, fruits and whole grains, over simple carbohydrates like white bread, white rice, white flour or processed snacks that contain added sugars, as all of these can sharply raise the blood glucose level.

Avoid Sugary foods and drinks

Certain foods like baked goods(cakes, cookies & pastries), candy, chocolate, soda, juice and sweetened drinks contain an alarming amount of added sugar. These items should be avoided altogether. Always check food labels with a keen eye so that you do not accidentally eat or drink something which has a lot more sugar than you expected.

High fat and Fried Food

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach ache are very common side effects of ozempic. Consumption of foods high in saturated fat or fried foods can highly worsen all these side effects of ozempic. Since these foods take more effort to digest, they have a tendency to cause upset stomach on their own. If their intake is combined with ozempic, there are high chances of developing even more serious gastric side effects. These foods take longer to digest and ozempic also slows down gut emptying. When both these factors combine, these foods hang around for much more time and upset the gut. 

Examples of these foods:

Fried foods like French fries

High fat dairy

Greasy foods like pizza, cheeseburgers and doughnuts

Starchy vegetables

Starchy vegetables like potatoes have a high glycemic index and they raise your blood sugar quickly. On the other hand, the Non-starchy vegetables keep your blood sugar at a steady state.

Try to eat more of the non-starchy vegetables and less of the starchy vegetables. Some examples of vegetables with a high glycemic index include:

• Potatoes
• Corn
• Carrots
• Peas
• Beets

Fruits high in natural sugar

Some fruits like grapes and mangoes are very high in natural sugars. When such fruits are either consumed in large amounts or on an empty stomach, they cause sharp spikes in blood sugar. It’s always good to eat such fruits in small portion sizes or they can be replaced by fruits low in glycemic index such as berries. Second option is to always combine these fruits with protein rich and low glycemic index foods.

Alcohol

When you are on ozempic, the best thing is to avoid alcohol altogether. If this can’t be done, then it is utmost to limit alcohol intake to only one drink per day. Alcohol has a good tendency to irritate the stomach. Ozempic slows stomach emptying and hence gives alcohol more time to linger in the stomach, and this can increase the chances of stomach upset and nausea. Alcohol combined with ozempic, can also cause hypoglycemia(low blood sugar) and dehydration. Additionally you must eat every few hours if you are combining alcohol with ozempic. This will prevent the blood sugar levels from dropping too low.

What is “Ozempic face“?

Caffeine

Caffeine combined with ozempic can also cause low blood sugar levels or dehydration. Limit your coffee and tea consumption to no more than one cup per day. To avoid dehydration, ensure to consume a plenty of fluids throughout the day when taking this medication.

With all these “Ozempic foods to avoid“, it is also important to look at “ozempic foods to eat”

Ozempic foods to eat

Again, the basic idea is to maintain a health diet pattern, with emphasis to avoid a sole meal of foods high in glycemic index.

It’s also a good idea to stick to low fat, non-greasy foods because these are less likely to cause gastric irritation.

Some tips to maintain the healthy diet while on ozempic:

Try to add protein with carbs to balance your blood sugar.

Avoid dairy and fat in evenings, since this can lower the chances of overnight nausea and heartburn.

Eat your food slowly, as this can help prevent stomach upset from slowed emptying.

If you’re constipated, you should slowly add fiber into your diet. Adding too much fiber at a fast rate can worsen gas and bloating.

Try to have water and unsweetened drinks, as these will keep you hydrated without increasing your blood sugar.

It is important to practice mindful eating when taking Ozempic. The foods that should be avoided can influence how well your medication works overall. Maintaining a balanced diet, reading well the food labels and speaking with a healthcare professional are the best ways to ensure a successful Ozempic treatment plan.

Ozempic associated risk factors

SUMMARY

Ozempic has a tendency to quite commonly cause gastric side effects. Some foods like high fat foods and fried foods, are more likely to trigger these side effects. Some other options like foods high in sugar, make it harder for Ozempic to control blood sugar and insulin release. 

If you’re taking Ozempic, you must limit or avoid these foods for good results.

FAQs(Frequently asked Questions)