Foods to Avoid on Mounjaro

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 1 year ago · 7 min read

There are many diabetes drugs on the market. Many of them are dispensed using an injectable pen, while others may be taken by mouth. But did you know that you must avoid certain foods while taking some diabetes drugs like Mounjaro?

It’s true. Mounjaro hit the market in May 2022 and also has the added side effect of weight loss. This is a welcome side effect for obese individuals and those who simply want to shed a few pounds. Mounjaro was designed to treat type 2 diabetes. Also known as Tirzepatide, Mounjaro comes with its own specific rules when it comes to diet. According to experts, you should avoid bread, raw vegetables, and carbonated drinks when taking Mounjaro. You should also avoid cooked fibrous vegetables. These include celery, corn, cabbage, and broccoli. 

Meats with gristle and other tough meats can potentially cause problems. Red meats and fried food in particular should be eliminated from your diet when taking Mounjaro. According to experts, spicy foods and highly seasoned foods are off limits. According to Nice RX Health, Mounjaro is a “GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist.” It causes you to expend more energy, while decreasing your intake of food.

While you may crave some of your favorite foods, it is not advisable to eat certain foods on a GLP-1 type medication. Doing so can lead to a number of undesirable side effects, such as a change in taste, nausea, bloating, and reflux. Other side effects can include flatulence, stomach cramps, and digestive problems. 

Because it is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, Mounjaro may have a positive effect on body weight and blood glucose. While Mounjaro treats type 2 diabetes, it is not recommended to treat type 1 diabetes. Individuals with pancreatitis also should not take this medication. Those who take Mounjaro should also avoid eating nuts and seeds. It is especially important to avoid sugary, greasy, and fatty foods. 

Sugary, greasy, and fatty foods are some of the hardest foods to digest. They are more likely to cause nausea when taking this medication, so it is important to avoid them as much as possible. Ideally, these foods should be cut from your diet entirely. They are especially problematic when you take a GLP-1 type medication. In addition to this, experts recommend that you eat smaller meals and eat foods that are bland and light. This can also help you with your weight loss efforts, if weight loss is your intention.

Mounjaro is an injectable medication, and those taking it should avoid drinking ginger tea, as it speeds up digestion. This can lead you to feel hungry more quickly.  

Of course, this may lead you to wonder—what can you eat while taking Mounjaro? Experts recommend that you eat ice-cold drinks or clear drinks. If you are trying to figure out how to get the most benefits from this medication, you may want to consider setting up guidelines for eating on Mounjaro. Individuals who take Mounjaro can eat poultry, ground lean meats, eggs, flaked fish, and eggs. 

Dried or cooked cereal, cottage cheese, and rice are great food choices for those who take this medication. You can have canned or fresh fruit, but be sure not to eat seeds or the skin of fruits. Cooked vegetables are also allowed. However, you should not eat the skin of vegetables. 

According to PubMed, obesity and diabetes are both growing problems around the world. Because of this, Mounjaro is a great choice for those who suffer from one or both of these conditions. 

If you take Mounjaro, you may need to make small modifications to your lifestyle choices when it comes to food and dining. It may help to eat healthy, exercise, and get enough sleep. This drug is injected once each week. Mounjaro is unique in the sense that it imitates the effects of two incretin hormones, which are used to control blood glucose levels. 

According to studies, the Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are hormones that control blood glucose. Medical professionals typically start patients out on a dosage of 2.5 milligrams of Mounjaro. After the first four weeks of taking Mounjaro, your doctor may increase your dosage by increments of 2.5 milligrams. Patients may take a maximum of 15 milligrams per week.   

It can be hard to remember when to take a medication when you only take it once per week. Because of this, you may want to pick a specific day and time to take this medication. This helps you get into a routine, so you don’t forget to take a dose. If you are injecting this medication into the back of your arm, ask someone to help you inject the drug. This can be hard to do by yourself. It also helps to have someone who can help you monitor your progress and dosing.

If you are taking birth control pills, be aware that Mounjaro can decrease their effectiveness, increasing your risk of an unintended pregnancy. Because of this, it may help to use a backup form of birth control, such as condoms. Speak with your doctor if you take a medication that can be affected by Mounjaro. Even slightly changing a Mounjaro dosage has the ability to impact the effectiveness of other medications, such as Coumadin. 

 Mounjaro can help you lose weight when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. This drug is not approved for weight loss, but it is a welcome side effect for many people. According to studies, those who took Mounjaro lost an average of 25 pounds over the course of a year. Higher doses of this medication can lead to even more weight loss. However, weight loss may also be the result of digestive side effects. 

So how exactly does Mounjaro help you lose weight? Mounjaro causes you to reduce your food intake and slows down the rate at which food travels through your system. This may help you feel full for an extended period of time, causing you to eat less. Studies have found that the brain triggers this reaction in the body. 

If you take or are considering taking Mounjaro, it helps to know its side effects. Side effects of this medication include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. Constipation, stomach pain, and indigestion are also side effects of this medication. It is also possible to experience severe allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, tongue, or throat. Another side effect of this medication is confusion.   

In some cases, this drug can cause dangerously low blood sugar. This can lead you to feel shaky, hungry, or dizzy. You may also experience anxiety, sweating, drowsiness, and confusion. In the event that you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately. This drug may also cause an increased heart rate. Injection site reactions are possible. 

If your blood sugar dips too low while taking Mounjaro, eat some snacks. Eat regular meals, and make sure you eat when you are hungry. Always have snacks at your disposal, so you can easily restore your blood sugar levels.

Mounjaro is very effective. When compared to other diabetes drugs, such as Ozempic, Mounjaro significantly improved A1C levels in patients who took a placebo. It also exceeded doctors’ expectations in helping people lose weight. You should also be aware of severe side effects that require immediate attention. According to experts, there is a potential to experience severe drug interactions when taking Mounjaro. Insulin secretagogue, oral medications, and hormonal contraceptives may not interact well with this medication. 

Mounjaro isn’t recommended for everyone. In fact, those who are allergic to Tirzepatide and any other ingredients in this medication should not take Mounjaro. You should talk to your doctor if you have kidney or stomach problems. You should also not take this medication if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. 

While Mounjaro has many benefits, there are a few things you should know about. Clinical studies found that Tirzepatide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in lab rats. You should take Mounjaro as directed by your doctor. Do not take more than you are prescribed, and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience side effects. You should avoid alcohol if you take Mounjaro, as alcohol can increase your chance of experiencing side effects. 

You should tell your doctor about any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you are taking before starting Mounjaro. This also includes any herbal supplements you may be taking. If you have diabetes, you should go for routine medical exams to monitor you and any other medical conditions you have. Your doctor will monitor your blood sugar levels and can adjust your dosage as needed.

Because Mounjaro is not insulin, it does not need to be taken with food. You can change the day of the week that you take this medication, if necessary. However, make sure there are 72 hours between doses, if you are rescheduling the day you take this medicine.   

12 Sources

Nu Image Medical has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-novel-dual-targeted-treatment-type-2-diabetes

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35807558/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17928588/

https://diatribe.org/fda-accelerates-review-type-2-weight-loss-drug

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirzepatide

https://cnmri.com/mounjaro-dietary-instructions/

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/list-spicy-foods-10632.html

https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/mounjaro-work-weight-loss-3570665/

https://www.goodrx.com/mounjaro/what-is

https://www.nicerx.com/blog/mounjaro-side-effects/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger_tea

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drugreview-184168-mounjaro-subcutaneous

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.