4 foods to avoid while taking Ozempic

For people with Type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is a game-changer: This FDA-approved drug not only lowers blood sugar but can also help people lose weight. Lower blood sugar and weight loss can lead to better health and wellness outcomes for people with diabetes, who are at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and vision loss. 

One of the ways Ozempic (semaglutide) and other GLP-1 receptor agonists work is by decreasing appetite. When taking the diabetes medication, you’ll likely eat smaller quantities of food or eat less frequently—but what you eat still matters. Fatty foods will still raise your cholesterol and sugary foods will still raise your blood sugar levels. 

Ozempic works best when you use it alongside other lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise. You may have even less side effects on the medication when avoiding certain foods.

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4 foods to avoid with Ozempic

Ozempic causes the emptying of the stomach contents into the small intestine to be slowed down or delayed, according to endocrinologist and lifestyle medicine specialist Chhaya Makhija, MD, founder of Unified Endocrine and Diabetes Care in California. This means you should still consider what you eat, how much you eat, and when you eat it. 

Every person on Ozempic is different and will have different dietary insulin and weight management goals, so it’s a good idea to ask your healthcare provider for dietary counseling before you begin taking the prescription drug. They may even recommend you consult with a dietitian or nutritionist. But in general, these are the four foods most people on some form of semaglutide should limit or avoid: 

1. Fried, spicy, and greasy foods
2. Sugary foods and drinks
3. Processed foods
4. Cruciferous vegetables

1. Fried, spicy, and greasy foods

All the experts agree: It’s important to avoid high-fat foods and greasy or fried foods like french fries, potato chips, pizza, and doughnuts when taking Ozempic. These foods are typically high in saturated fat, something people with Type 2 diabetes should make an effort to reduce in order to keep their cholesterol low. Fatty, greasy, and spicy foods can also upset your stomach on Ozempic, increasing the risk of GI side effects. 

“Ozempic has an impact on delayed gastric emptying, so spicy and greasy can make you burp or feel nauseated,” says Candis M. Morello, Pharm.D., professor of clinical pharmacy at the UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 

2. Sugary foods and drinks

Jared Braunstein, DO, an internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to LabFinder, says he advises patients not to eat high-sugar foods and drinks while taking Ozempic for two reasons: It can cause nausea and vomiting, and it can also contribute to weight gain, which can lead to diabetes complications for people with Type 2 diabetes. 

Remember, though, that sugar doesn’t only come from cakes, cookies, candy, and sweetened beverages like soda and juice. Items like breakfast cereals, white bread, white rice, and regular pasta are simple carbohydrates, which means they’re broken down very quickly into sugar and cause your blood glucose to spike (as opposed to complex carbohydrates, which take longer and offer a slower, smoother rise in glucose). 

If you’re keeping tabs on how many carbs you’re eating each day, Dr. Braunstein recommends not consuming more than 50 to 60 grams of carbs per meal and no more than 15 to 20 grams of carbs per snack.  

3. Processed foods

Again, all the experts agreed that processed foods should be limited or, better yet, eliminated when taking Ozempic. Frozen prepared meals, packaged crackers and snack bars, bottled salad dressings, canned pasta sauces, and many other processed foods tend to contain higher-than-necessary amounts of sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats. 

Not only can these types of foods increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, but they can also exacerbate diabetes symptoms and side effects for people already diagnosed with the condition. As much as possible, make a weekly meal plan and prepare your foods yourself at home with nutritious, whole ingredients.  

4. Cruciferous vegetables

Yes, vegetables are good for you…but some types of vegetables, especially the cruciferous, gas-producing kinds, can aggravate any GI side effects you may be having. 

“Vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can cause excessive gas and bloating while taking Ozempic,” Dr. Braunstein says. 

That doesn’t mean you have to eliminate them completely, but like so many other foods, moderation is key; if you have broccoli with lunch, maybe opt for a less-cruciferous vegetable with dinner. (Of course, if any of these specific foods cause you distress, it’s okay to cut them out while you’re taking Ozempic.)

Herbs and supplements to avoid with Ozempic

There’s no evidence that any particular vitamins or supplements should be avoided with Ozempic. Remember, these are still relatively new drugs. It’s important to tell your healthcare provider about any dietary supplements you’re taking when they’re prescribing the drug to you so they can make you aware of any potential interactions. 

That said, Dr. Morello says there are some supplements that can impact blood glucose and cause low blood sugar, like Gymnema sylvestre, prickly pear, and aloe. These should be avoided due to their potential to lower your blood glucose to dangerously low levels while taking a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic.  

What should you eat while taking Ozempic?

You know it’s important to avoid certain foods while taking Ozempic, but are there other foods you definitely should be eating? Dr. Morello says people taking Ozempic don’t have to go out of their way to eat a lot of any particular food, but instead should focus on finding a good dietary balance within an otherwise healthy diet.

In addition to filling your plate with typical diabetes-friendly foods like whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, fiber, healthy fats, and lean protein, you can get smart about how you combine these foods to further manage your blood glucose levels.

“The trick is eating some fiber, protein, and whole grains with every meal, and eating fiber and protein first, then your carbs,” says Dr. Morello, noting that fiber delays the absorption of carbohydrates so they don’t cause sudden blood sugar spikes. If you aren’t sure how to improve your diet, ask your provider for a referral to a registered dietitian, who can help you plan smaller meals with the correct portions.

Additionally, it’s important to drink plenty of water and incorporate foods with a high water content like soups and fresh fruit into your diet, says Dr. Makhija. Dehydration is a common side effect when taking Ozempic if you don’t hydrate well enough.

Gastrointestinal side effects of Ozempic

The most common side effects of Ozempic are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,  stomach pain, and constipation, according to Dr. Makhija. These side effects can be worsened if you’re eating foods generally not recommended on Ozempic, like fatty, greasy, or extra-sugary foods. 

You also may be able to avoid or reduce these side effects by working with your provider to titrate your dose—starting with a low dose and gradually increasing the dose from one week to the next. If you’re still experiencing a lot of gastrointestinal side effects, you should seek medical advice—there could be another contributing factor. 

“If patients have underlying undiagnosed dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease while on Ozempic,” says Dr. Makhija, “the gastrointestinal symptoms may be exacerbated.” If you experience side effects, you should contact your healthcare provider. They may be able to switch you to a different medication, like Mounjaro, that you tolerate better. Or, can prescribe an antinausea medication, such as Zofran, until your symptoms subside.