{"id":627485,"date":"2024-03-20T10:28:10","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T14:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627485"},"modified":"2026-04-30T22:17:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T02:17:16","slug":"foods-to-avoid-while-taking-metformin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/foods-to-avoid-while-taking-metformin\/","title":{"rendered":"7 foods to avoid while taking metformin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Metformin<\/a> is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. It has a long history of success in lowering blood sugar levels, especially when combined with diet changes and exercise. Although <\/span>metformin<\/span> is only approved for use in treating Type 2 diabetes, it has several off-label uses, including as a treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), gestational diabetes, and drug-induced weight gain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most people can safely take <\/span>metformin<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s generally well-tolerated\u2014but it can cause digestive side effects, like vomiting and diarrhea. You can limit these side effects (and improve metformin\u2019s overall effectiveness) by eating the right combination of foods each day. This means avoiding foods that increase your blood sugar, like those high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fats. Here are seven foods and drinks to avoid while taking metformin and what you <\/span>can <\/span><\/i>eat to help lower your blood sugar even further.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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How metformin works<\/span><\/h2>\n

Metformin is part of a class of drugs called biguanides and is used to <\/span>treat Type 2 diabetes<\/span>. It improves your blood sugar levels by doing two things: decreasing the amount of glucose released into your bloodstream and increasing your body\u2019s insulin sensitivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lower blood sugar levels lead to better overall health for people with diabetes; having Type 2 diabetes and high blood sugar increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and organ failure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Metformin is a commonly prescribed medication to lower blood sugar, and according to <\/span>Danielle Kelvas<\/span><\/a>, MD, a primary care physician with The HCG Institute in Tennessee<\/span>, it works fairly quickly: many people start to see benefits after just one month, with more noticeable improvements to blood sugar and <\/span>A1C levels<\/span><\/a> after three months.<\/span><\/p>\n

7 foods to avoid with metformin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Technically, there are no foods that directly interact with biguanides like metformin, but there are still some you should try to avoid or limit. Why? Because they encourage weight gain and directly counteract the positive effects metformin has on your blood sugar levels, says Dr. Kelvas.<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news is that many of your daily favorites\u2014like coffee, fruit, whole grains, and eggs\u2014are fine to continue eating and drinking as part of a balanced diet with metformin. The vitamins and supplements you take are likely safe, too. Most of the foods you should avoid while taking metformin fall into the following categories:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Simple\/refined carbs<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. High sugar foods<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. High sodium foods<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Saturated fats<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Alcohol<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Excessive fiber<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Processed foods<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The outlier in this list is alcohol; it’s the one thing that makes metformin less effective because both alcohol and metformin are metabolized in the liver. (The recommendations to avoid the other foods on this list exist because these specific foods can cancel out many of metformin\u2019s benefits, not because they specifically interact with the drug).<\/span><\/p>\n

    1. Simple and refined carbs<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Simple and refined carbohydrates like white bread, pasta, white rice, muffins, and sweetened beverages can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, says <\/span>New Jersey-based dietitian <\/span>Erin Palinski-Wade<\/span><\/a>, RD, CDCES, author of <\/span>2 Day Diabetes Diet<\/span><\/i>, which can make metformin less effective at controlling blood sugar levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Instead of simple carbs, Palinski-Wade suggests choosing foods with complex <\/span>carbohydrates (think whole grain foods like oatmeal, brown rice, and wheat bread) and combining them with proteins and healthy fats to help improve blood glucose regulation while taking metformin.<\/span><\/p>\n

    2. High sugar foods<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Similarly, foods high in added sugar can increase insulin resistance, says Palinski-Wade, rendering metformin less effective for people taking the drug to lower their blood sugar levels. Try to stay <\/span>under the recommended daily limit<\/span><\/a> for added sugar, which is six teaspoons for women and nine teaspoons for men.<\/span><\/p>\n

    This seems<\/span> easy to do, but added sugar is hiding in many of our foods and drinks. <\/span>Even healthy foods like yogurt can have extra-high amounts of added sugar, as can condiments like salad dressing and ketchup. Also, keep an eye on your favorite beverages. While Dr. Kelvas says it\u2019s fine to drink regular coffee when taking metformin, she cautions against drinking really sugary coffee drinks (like flavored lattes and frappuccinos). Stick to plain black coffee with a splash of your milk of choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

    It\u2019s also important to note that added sugar is not the same as natural sugar. It\u2019s <\/span>okay to eat fruits and vegetables<\/span><\/a> with a higher sugar content in moderation (i.e., bananas and sweet potatoes) because natural sugars don\u2019t affect your blood sugar levels the same way as added sugars do.<\/span><\/p>\n

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