Ozempic Foods to Avoid

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 · 6 min read

Ozempic is an effective prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. While Ozempic remains very popular, those who take this medication must avoid certain foods if they take this medication. Some other medications require you to limit your intake of certain substances. So, what foods should you cross off your list if you rely on Ozempic to treat your type 2 diabetes?

According to health professionals, eating certain foods while taking Ozempic can raise your blood sugar levels. No foods should be avoided completely. However, you must still be mindful of what you eat. Exercise caution and decide which foods to cut from your diet. Some foods can make the side effects of Ozempic worse. These include sugary foods and foods that are high in fat. 

Alcoholic beverages can also cause problems and exacerbate Ozempic’s side effects. Alcoholic beverages can be especially problematic as well. High-fat foods, high-sugar foods, and alcohol all can raise your blood sugar levels. Many people taking Ozempic report mild stomach pain and nausea as side effects. You can reduce or eliminate these side effects completely by eating the right foods. According to experts, fast food and foods that are high in sugar should be avoided while taking Ozempic. 

Experts recommend not eating these because they are hard for your body to digest and are very likely to cause nausea. GLP-1 medications must be monitored carefully. This means cutting out foods that are going to pose a problem. 

You should avoid junk food as a whole when taking Ozempic. You should also steer clear of processed food, soda, cake, and cookies. This can be rather limiting, especially when these are common and well-loved foods. Ice cream, chips, and donuts should also be avoided.     

If you are taking Ozempic, it also helps to be aware of what foods you should eat. Experts say that anyone taking Ozempic should adopt a healthy lifestyle. You should eat fruits, such as oranges, apples, bananas, and grapes. Experts also recommend consuming vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and carrots. You don’t need to limit yourself to fruits and vegetables, however. You should also consume lentils and beans. These aid in digestion. Fish, chicken, and tofu are also great options when you take Ozempic. 

Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Ozempic has a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1). Ozempic has also been found to cause weight loss in certain individuals, so maintaining a healthy diet may help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.  Even if you consume the foods you should limit on Ozempic, there is no rule that says you should stop eating those foods. Ozempic still produces the same benefits. However, Ozempic’s side effects are enhanced. 

Other side effects of Ozempic may be intensified if you eat the wrong foods. You may experience severe diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, or gas. Injection site pain is also possible. 

You may also need to make some behavioral changes while taking Ozempic. You may want to eat smaller meals and eat slowly. Doing so may help minimize side effects. You may also want to eat foods that are light and bland. Drinking clear and ice-cold drinks is recommended. These can include water and unsweetened tea. If you develop any side effects that won’t go away, contact your doctor. He or she may be able to make recommendations to change your diet, so you can enjoy the foods you love while taking Ozempic.

However, you can’t have it all. Chances are that you will need to cut something from your diet to minimize pain and have a positive experience while taking Ozempic. Calorie-dense foods can also cause problems. Because of this, those taking Ozempic should avoid foods that are high in calories. This includes greasy and fatty foods. These are high in calories and tend to worsen the side effects of this medication. One study found that patients taking Ozempic over a period of 12 weeks actually preferred not to consume fatty and calorie-rich foods. This may be the case because participants experienced nausea when they consumed fatty foods with this medication.

Experts recommend eating low glycemic foods while on this medication. While sugar can be consumed while taking Ozempic, experts recommend keeping its consumption at a minimum. Candy, soda, and pre-packaged desserts can create extra problems for those with diabetes who wish to lose weight on this medication. Sugar causes blood sugar levels to spike quickly. This leads to a number of problems. Sugary foods can negate the effects of Ozempic, sometimes making it impossible to lose weight. Because of this, it may be helpful to read the nutrition labels of the food you eat. That way, you can get an idea of how much sugar your foods contain. 

This also helps you determine which foods you should cut from your diet. According to WebMD, sugar aids in the development of conditions like type 2 diabetes. You can minimize this risk by cutting high-sugar foods and sticking to a healthy diet and lifestyle. Consuming too much sugar can throw off your blood sugar levels. This alone can make it difficult to lose weight, and being overweight is a huge risk factor for the development of diabetes. You are also at a high risk of developing cavities. Excess sugar consumption can lead to this as well. 

 You should be very careful about consuming cane sugar. Cane sugar is the sugar found in baked foods, packaged goods, and sodas. Cane sugar comes from the sugar cane plant, which “contains sucrose.” When consumed, sucrose converts into fructose and glucose. This triggers an insulin response. This means that the pancreas cannot release insulin properly. As a result, the pancreas cannot release enough insulin to handle the amount of glucose in the body. Some people may think that you should avoid honey while taking Ozempic. Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory. While honey has many good properties, including the ability to fight illness, it also contains a lot of sugar. This can be a problem for some people taking this medication. However, eating honey is okay if consumed in moderation. 

Many people are now replacing cane sugar with agave sugar because it is has a lower “glycemic index.” For that reason, some believe the chances of it causing spikes in insulin are lower. However, there is little research to support this claim. Despite the supposed benefits of agave sugar, it is still high in fructose, which can make Ozempic’s side effects worse. If you want a positive experience while taking Ozempic, it is a good idea to avoid agave sugar as well.

Those taking Ozempic should also avoid corn syrup. Corn syrup in itself has been found to cause obesity. Obesity puts you at risk of developing diabetes, so it’s best to avoid this as well. The fructose in corn syrup doesn’t make you feel full and can lead you to eat more calories than necessary. 

Brown rice syrup is another food you should limit. Also called rice syrup, brown rice syrup is made by breaking down starches in rice that has already been cooked. While not much is known about its health benefits, brown rice syrup is sometimes used as a substitute for corn syrup in packaged and baked goods. 

Dairy is generally very good for you, but those taking Ozempic should be aware that dairy also contains high amounts of sugar. Many adults are lactose intolerant and may have a hard time digesting dairy products. This may be a problem for those taking Ozempic. Like other sugary foods, dairy is not forbidden for those on Ozempic, but those taking this drug should consume dairy in moderation. Since dairy is difficult to digest, it may make Ozempic’s side effects worse. 

While experts recommend eating healthy foods like fruit, fruit also contains a number of naturally occurring sugars. Also known as fructose, these sugars can slow your body’s insulin response. However, the fructose in fruit makes it a healthy substitute for sugars that are usually included in foods. Plus, the fructose in fruit contains a lot of fiber, so it naturally promotes good digestion. 

Those who take Ozempic have many healthy alternatives to sugar. To cut down on the amount of sugar you consume, buy foods that say “no sugar added” on the label. These foods may contain naturally occurring sugar, but they don’t contain the extra sugar that is often added to foods. Vegetables contain much less sugar than fruits. With that in mind, it may be helpful to consume more vegetables that fruits. Spinach, mushrooms, celery, soybean sprouts, and radishes all have relatively low amounts of sugar and are excellent options for those seeking low sugar foods. According to PubMed, glucagon-like peptide GLP-1 plays a huge role in the management of obesity. 

Eating meat is also a great way to minimize the amount of sugar in your diet. Experts recommend eating chicken, beef, pork, and seafood. These are high in protein and rich with omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, nuts, lentils, and beans are great low sugar options for those who take Ozempic. Whole grains, such as quinoa, brown rice, and oats are also great low sugar foods for those who take this medication.  

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.ozempic.com/faqs.html

https://www.nicerx.com/blog/ozempic-foods-to-avoid/

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https://www.ozempic.com/how-to-take/side-effects.html

https://khealth.com/learn/medication/ozempic-foods-to-avoid/ 

https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-sugar#1

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/insulin-response

https://www.medicinenet.com/11_health_benefits_eating_spoonful_honey_everyday/article.htm

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https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/features/behavioral-tips-successful-weight-loss

https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-brown-rice-syrup-3376838

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.