Ozempic is a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
It helps people better control their blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity, reducing insulin resistance, slowing digestion, and suppressing appetite.
However, it can be difficult to know what to eat and what to avoid if you are taking Ozempic. This article explains what foods to avoid and what foods to eat while taking your medication.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is the brand name of the drug semaglutide.
This glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist was approved by the U.S. FDA in 2017 as an aid in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It comes in the form of a pen and is taken once a week.
Ozempic improves blood sugar and HbA1c levels and helps in weight loss. It has been shown to improve cardiovascular health in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and to reduce all-cause mortality.
Typical doses of Ozempic are 0.5 mg or 1.0 mg once a week and can be taken with or without food.
Always check with your doctor before increasing or changing your prescribed dose of Ozempic, as doses will vary from patient to patient.
What are the side effects of Ozempic?
The most common side effects of Ozempic include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomachache
- Constipation and irregular bowel movements
- Weight loss
More serious side effects include:
- Thyroid tumors, including cancer, especially in people with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)
- Inflammation of the pancreas
- Changes in vision
- Kidney problems
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Serious allergic reactions may occur
Several of these more severe side effects can be fatal. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience fever, vision changes, or a feeling of weakness or pain after taking the medicine.
If you cannot tolerate Ozempic, there are other options. You can read more here: Ozempic vs. Victoza: Which one to choose?
What foods should I avoid while using Ozempic?
No specific food is excluded from your diet if you are taking Ozempic. However, some foods can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting and may make it harder to control your blood sugar while taking Ozempic.
For this reason, it is best to avoid the following foods:
Foods and drinks with added sugar
It’s obvious, but eating and drinking drinks with added sugar is not healthy. This is especially true if you live with diabetes.
Foods and beverages such as soda, ice cream, candy, chocolates, and other desserts can cause blood sugar spikes and wreak havoc on A1C. It can also make it harder to maintain and/or lose weight. These should be avoided while taking Ozempic.
Fried, greasy and fatty foods
Fried foods and greasy and greasy foods (most often from fast food restaurants) can cause bloating, nausea, constipation and gas, which can be made worse if you take Ozempic.
Also, high-fat foods (especially trans fats) are not good for heart health, and since heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes, it’s best to avoid these types of foods if you have type 2 diabetes and are on Ozempic.
Alcohol
While moderate consumption of alcohol is not prohibited while taking Ozempic, both Ozempic and alcohol increase the likelihood of low blood sugar, which can be dangerous for people with diabetes.
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting alcohol consumption to 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day or less for women. The healthiest thing is not to drink at all.
Talk to your doctor if you are struggling with alcohol addiction.
Refined carbohydrates
Foods like white bread, white rice, crackers, and even cereal may seem like a better choice than foods with added sugar, but refined carbohydrates still metabolize as glucose in the body. This can make it harder to control blood sugar levels in both people with and without diabetes.
These types of foods typically lack fiber, which can cause your blood sugar levels to skyrocket. It’s best to avoid refined carbs if you’re taking Ozempic.
What foods should I eat while using Ozempic?
You may be asking yourself, what CAN you eat while taking Ozempic? And the answer is a lot! The key is to stick to mostly whole, unprocessed foods that don’t contain added sugars.
If you are taking Ozempic you should aim to eat more of the following foods:
Vegetables with a low glycemic index
Low-carb vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green beans and lettuce should be eaten in abundance! They do not cause blood sugar spikes and may help improve insulin sensitivity.
Be warned, though, because they contain a lot of fiber, if you’re not used to eating lots of vegetables, you may experience side effects like bloating and gas until your body gets used to eating more fiber. complete diet.
Fruits with a low glycemic index
Low-carb fruits such as coconut, avocado, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapefruit, cherries or oranges raise blood sugar more slowly than fruits with a higher glycemic index. While you may need to take insulin for these types of foods (if you’re taking insulin), it’s extremely healthy if you’re living with diabetes and using Ozempic.
Fruits contain many key vitamins and minerals and are packed with satiating fiber. It is a great alternative to desserts with added sugar.
Lean protein
Lean sources of protein from eggs, low-fat cheese, Greek yogurt, chicken, turkey, fish, nuts, tofu and beans are excellent ways to increase your protein while eating healthily if you take Ozempic.
Lean proteins typically require no or no insulin (if you’re on insulin) and are a great building block for a healthy meal. Just make sure any animal proteins are grilled or steamed, not fried, as added carbs and fat from fried foods are not healthy.
Whole grains
Whole grains found in bread, pasta and brown rice can be a great addition to a healthy diet. They are richer in carbohydrates, but contain important fiber, which lowers their effect on glycemia in people with diabetes, while helping to lower blood sugar levels.
Moderation is key, but whole grains are heart-healthy and can help with nausea if you’re experiencing unwanted side effects early on in your Ozempic regimen.
Sugar-free drinks
Make sure you drink plenty of water (lime seltzer!). Other healthy drinks include coffee and tea, with no added sugar or fatty creamers.
What foods can help me control my nausea while taking Ozempic?
If you experience severe nausea and vomiting while taking Ozempic, talk to your doctor about lowering your dose.
However, if you can limit your eating, the following tips may help:
- Drive slower
- Eat more often but smaller meals
- Eat bland foods like soups, wholegrain crackers, oatmeal, toast or rice
- Avoid foods and drinks high in fat and sugar
- Drink clear fluids
How to get the best results using Ozempic?
Ozempic is a powerful prescription drug and many people are enjoying great results. For best results, combine Ozempic with a healthy diet and increased physical activity.
You may start to notice lower blood sugar levels within a few weeks of starting treatment. Be consistent in eating healthy and exercising, and Ozempic should be an effective addition to your diabetes regimen.
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