{"id":631844,"date":"2025-04-14T09:30:51","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T13:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631844"},"modified":"2025-04-08T11:15:41","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T15:15:41","slug":"foods-to-avoid-while-taking-glipizide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/foods-to-avoid-while-taking-glipizide\/","title":{"rendered":"4 foods to avoid while taking glipizide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Roughly one in ten Americans has diabetes, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As many as 95% of those people have <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>. Type 2 diabetes, which can develop at any time and at any age, occurs when your cells don\u2019t respond normally to the hormone insulin, which ultimately leads to potentially damaging <\/span>high blood sugar<\/span><\/a> levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news: Prescription drugs like <\/span>glipizide<\/span><\/a>, also sold under the brand name Glucotrol, can help.\u00a0 Just as Type 2 diabetes can be treated with lifestyle changes\u2014especially changes made in the kitchen\u2014the effectiveness of glipizide can also be influenced by the foods you are eating. In general, you should avoid foods that can raise your blood sugar while taking glipizide. Read on to learn more.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Glipizide is FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in combination with a healthy meal plan and regular exercise. Available in immediate- and extended-release tablets, it can also be used with <\/span>metformin<\/span><\/a> to help control high blood sugar levels. \u201cIt is sometimes used off-label for steroid-induced hyperglycemia, post-transplant diabetes, and certain neonatal diabetes cases,\u201d explains Navya Mysore, MD, a primary care provider based in New York, New York. However, it is not used to treat Type 1 diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Glipizide is an oral sulfonylurea that stimulates insulin release from pancreatic beta cells. \u201cIt does this by closing potassium channels in beta cells, leading to calcium entry and insulin secretion. This helps reduce blood glucose, especially after meals,\u201d <\/span>Dr. Mysore<\/span><\/a> says. Glipizide starts to have these effects within 30 minutes of taking the medicine, which is why it is typically taken 30 minutes before meals.<\/span><\/p>\n

4 foods to avoid with glipizide<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cCertain foods and drinks can interact with glipizide,\u201d says Dr. Mysore. Following a healthy diet that supports blood sugar control is key to getting the most out of a Type 2 diabetes medication like glipizide. If you\u2019re taking glipizide, experts recommend avoiding the following foods.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Alcohol<\/span><\/h3>\n

Alcohol<\/span><\/a> consumption can lower blood sugar levels. This puts people with diabetes at risk of hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar. \u201cThis can potentially lead to symptoms like headache, dizziness, irregular heart rate, and loss of coordination,\u201d explains <\/span>Jordan Hill, RD<\/span><\/a>, a registered dietitian with Live it Up. Since the symptoms of low blood sugar are the same as being a bit tipsy, drinking alcohol can make it difficult to notice when blood glucose is out of balance, which could raise your risk of serious conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While a glass of wine with dinner probably won\u2019t drastically affect your blood sugar, per the <\/span>American Diabetes Association<\/span><\/a>, a cocktail or multiple drinks on an empty stomach are definitely a no-go.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Simple carbohydrates<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cYou should avoid simple and refined carbs while taking glipizide because they cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, leading to fluctuations that can make diabetes harder to control,\u201d notes Dr. Mysore. \u201cThese foods can increase post-meal glucose levels, reducing the drug\u2019s effectiveness.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This category includes foods like white bread, pasta, white rice, sugary breakfast cereals, crackers, baked goods, and candies.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Processed and packaged foods<\/span><\/h3>\n

Processed foods and packaged snacks are on this list for two reasons. First, they can be high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, meaning they can cause rapid blood sugar spikes after consumption. Second, they are often high in sodium. \u201cSodium is a fantastic preservative, keeping foods shelf stable, which is why processed and packaged foods are commonly high in it,\u201d notes Hill. \u201cBut over time, it can lead to heart issues like <\/span>high blood pressure<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Considering that high blood pressure is common in people with Type 2 diabetes, per research in the <\/span>Diabetes & Metabolism Journal<\/span><\/i><\/a>, it\u2019s smart to take steps to lower your risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

A study published in <\/span>Mayo Clinic Proceedings<\/span><\/i><\/a> also recently linked high salt intake to a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes\u2014making avoiding these foods a no-brainer.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Sugary drinks<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sugary drinks like soda, juice, energy drinks, and sugar-sweetened coffees cause rapid blood sugar spikes\u2014though black coffee is fine to drink. In fact, a new study published in <\/span>Nature Medicine<\/span><\/i><\/a> estimates that 2.2 million new cases of Type 2 diabetes occur globally each year due to consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to be aware of potential drug interactions with glipizide. If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications or dietary supplements, consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What should you eat while taking glipizide?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cWhile it\u2019s possible to eat any type of food while on glipizide, general healthy eating recommendations are still encouraged,\u201d says Hill. That means favoring foods that are rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. \u201cProtein, fiber, and fats help slow digestion and absorption, which helps to keep blood sugars from spiking,\u201d Hill adds. She recommends filling your plate with a balanced combination of foods with a low glycemic index (some of which, like fatty fish and avocado, actually <\/span>work to lower blood sugar<\/span><\/a>). These foods gradually raise blood sugar, rather than creating sudden spikes after eating, and include choices, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n