Foods to Avoid on Ozempic and What You Should Eat

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 · 4 min read

In a world where fast food and unhealthy foods are everywhere, it can be hard to make the right food choices. However, those who take medications for type 2 diabetes may have a harder time choosing the right foods. Those who take Ozempic must alter their diet to get the maximum benefit of this medication. Ozempic was designed to treat type 2 diabetes. 

Everyone enjoys a sugary treat or a greasy burger from time to time, but those taking Ozempic may need to cut these from their diet. Certain foods have the ability to raise your blood sugar levels if you take Ozempic. While nothing is banned from your diet completely, experts highly recommend avoiding sugary and high fat foods, while limiting foods that are high in calories. Ozempic is the brand name used for the drug, Semaglutide, which is also used to treat obesity.

Semaglutide comes from a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These lower blood sugar by triggering the pancreas to release insulin and keeps the body from releasing too much sugar into the bloodstream. So what foods are off limits if you take Ozempic?

According to experts, alcohol should be avoided at all costs. Alcohol can make the side effects of Ozempic worse and may actually cause even more problems. Alcohol contains a lot of sugar. Sugar can lead to weight gain, which is why it is best to avoid it. Some experts say it’s okay to enjoy the occasional drink, but be aware that doing so may sabotage your weight loss efforts. Drinking alcohol while taking Ozempic can make this medication less effective.

According to NiceRx, Ozempic works by imitating “the effects of the hormone, GLP-1.” Once it’s released after eating, this hormone triggers the pancreas to produce and distribute insulin into the body. According to health experts, certain foods can worsen the side effects of Ozempic and should be avoided when taking this medication. Fast food and junk foods are of particular concern, as these are very greasy. 

Soda and other sugar-dense foods like cake and cookies should be avoided. The reason for this is that they have the potential to mess with your insulin levels. According to WebMD, white bread and potatoes should also be cut from your diet, as these can often cause serious spikes in blood sugar. Fruits and vegetables contain carbohydrates. However, the carbohydrates in fruits and vegetables do not have a huge effect on blood sugar. 

Cakes are of particular concern for people with type 2 diabetes. If you are simply looking to lose weight on Ozempic, occasionally consuming sugar is okay. However, it can mess with your blood sugar levels. This can be problematic when you’re trying to get your blood sugar levels in check.

 You can eliminate sugar from your diet completely. However, it is more important to choose the healthiest carbohydrates and count the carbohydrates you consume. Don’t be too strict on yourself. While sugar should be avoided in most cases, it is okay to have a sugary treat from time to time. As long as the treat is consumed in moderation, you should be okay. 

If you absolutely cannot live without consuming sugar regularly, opt for desserts and with artificial sweeteners. These are not as bad for you as straight sugar, but they satisfy the need for something sweet. However, if you want to be successful in your weight loss efforts, you can begin to wean yourself off sugar. As time goes by, your body will adjust to not having sugar-laden foods in large amounts and on a regular basis. 

Be aware that high fiber foods, such as baked beans, can help your body digest food more slowly. When you consume high-fiber foods, such as beans, glucose is absorbed more slowly into the body. This helps control and stabilize your blood sugar levels, helping your digestive system stay healthy. Fiber helps lower your cholesterol levels. When you consume high-fiber foods, you will feel fuller for a longer period of time.

But what exactly is fiber? Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body can’t digest. Most carbohydrates break down into sugar molecules, called “glucose” when they are ingested. Fiber, on the other hand, cannot be broken down into sugar. 

As a result, fiber passes straight through the digestive system. It helps the body dispose of sugars. While sugars move quickly through the system, the slow digestion of fiber promotes good health and digestion. 

The website, Calibrate, says that fatty and fried foods are some of the hardest foods to digest. That is why health experts recommend avoiding them while taking Ozempic. They are also highly likely to cause nausea for those on a GLP-1 medication. Those who take Ozempic should also avoid refined grains. The nutrients and fiber generally found in refined grains are removed before they are distributed. When these are taken out, all beneficial fiber is removed, leading to an unhealthy carbohydrate. 

As a rule, grains are touted as healthy. However, some refined grains can cause problems for those on Ozempic. Examples of refined grains include tortillas, bagels, white bread, and rice. While wholegrains are allowed, it is important to be aware that refined grains are not the healthiest of food choices. Instead of loading up on these, consider eating foods that are low in sugar. These include Ezekiel bread, which is filled with fiber and nutrients. Because Ezekiel bread is high in fiber, it helps regulate digestion and promotes good stomach health.  

Another great alternative to refined grains is corn tortillas. Corn tortillas contain more fiber than tortillas that are made with flour. They also have fewer calories and less salt than regular tortillas. When prepared with lettuce, tomato, and other vegetables, corn tortillas make great wraps. You can also load up on oopsie bread, a type of bread used with the ketogenic diet. 

Oopsie bread is great for making burgers, sandwiches, and desserts. It is light and fluffy, and contains high levels of protein. If you decide to make Oopsie bread, have a number of ingredients on hand. These include cream cheese, salt, and eggs. Sweet potatoes are another healthy option for those who take Ozempic. They are packed with nutrients and are quite sweet. 

Those who take Ozempic should avoid sugary drinks. Drinks, such as sweetened teas, soda, energy drinks, and coffee all contain a certain amount of sugar, which can affect blood glucose levels. If you take Ozempic for diabetes, it may help to know what healthy blood glucose levels are. A healthy blood glucose level is typically less than 140 mmol/L. According to the Mayo Clinic, having a blood glucose level of 200 indicates that you have diabetes.  

If you take Ozempic, it is important to understand what certain foods can do to you. Drinking sugary drinks makes it difficult to monitor your blood sugar levels. Diabetes that is not well controlled can cause problems, if you consume sugary drinks. Consuming sugary drinks can potentially lead to diabetic retinopathy, a condition that causes eye damage. It can also lead to heart disease and nerve damage. As with any medication, it’s important to make good food choices and exercise caution when considering “bad foods.” Some unhealthy foods are okay, but be aware of the side effects you could experience when eating them. 

You should avoid fried foods, such as fries and burgers, while taking Ozempic. You can eat certain foods to avoid nausea. Consider eating dry and bland foods. Consider eating cold foods and eating small meals over the course of a day. Despite Ozempic’s diet limitations, there are many good foods to eat while taking this medication. These are good for you and won’t cause negative side effects.      

According to PubMed, Ozempic is a very effective drug used to treat obesity. Ozempic or Semaglutide has been found to be more effective in promoting weight loss than its peers. One study found that study individuals taking Ozempic lost an average of 15 percent of their body weight over a period of 68 weeks. Ozempic has led to a decreased risk of cardiovascular problems and improved the overall health of participants in recent studies.

In addition to weight loss and diabetes management, Ozempic can also be taken to reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues in those who have both heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Although it is very effective, Ozempic can have negative interactions when taken with certain prescription drugs. It can also interact with some nutritional supplements.  

It is important to know what other conditions can put you at risk if you take Ozempic. According to experts, Ozempic has the potential to cause thyroid cancer, which is serious and could lead to death. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified this as a possible and serious side effect. Experts assert that some people should not take Ozempic. Individuals who have a family or personal history of medullary carcinoma should not take Ozempic. 

Those with a personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 should not take this medication. This condition can increase your risk of developing thyroid cancer in the future.  

16 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.

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https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm

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https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/results-sweet-truth-about-diabetes

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

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https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/What-are-refined-grains

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.