Ozempic is a drug accepted by the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) used to deal with sort 2 diabetes.
It helps folks higher handle their blood sugar ranges by way of improved insulin sensitivity, decreased insulin resistance, slowed digestion, and urge for food suppression.
Nonetheless, it may be tough to know what to eat and what to keep away from in case you’re taking Ozempic. This text will clarify what meals to keep away from and what meals to eat while you’re taking the remedy.
What’s Ozempic?
Ozempic is the model identify of the drug semaglutide.
This glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist was accepted by the FDA for us in america in 2017 to assist deal with sort 2 diabetes. It is available in injectable pen kind and is taken as soon as per week.
Ozempic improves blood sugars and HbA1c ranges and aids in weight reduction. It has been proven to enhance cardiovascular well being for individuals who dwell with sort 2 diabetes and coronary heart illness, and lowers all-cause mortality as nicely.
Frequent doses of Ozempic are both 0.5 mg or 1.0 mg as soon as weekly and may be taken with or with out meals.
At all times seek the advice of your physician earlier than rising or altering your prescribed dose of Ozempic, as doses will fluctuate by affected person.
What are the unintended effects of Ozempic?
Probably the most widespread unintended effects of Ozempic embody:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdomen ache
- Constipation and irregular bowel actions
- Weight reduction
Extra extreme unintended effects embody:
- Thyroid tumors, together with most cancers, particularly in folks with a household historical past of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- Pancreatitis
- Adjustments in imaginative and prescient
- Kidney issues
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Severe allergic reactions can happen
A number of of those extra extreme unintended effects may be deadly. Search medical consideration instantly in case you develop a fever, have modifications to your imaginative and prescient, or are feeling weak or in ache after taking the drug.
In case you can not tolerate Ozempic, there are different choices. You possibly can learn extra right here: Ozempic vs. Victoza: Which One Ought to You Select?
What meals ought to I keep away from whereas utilizing Ozempic?
No particular meals are off-limits out of your weight loss program in case you take Ozempic. Nonetheless, some meals might trigger opposed unintended effects, comparable to nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, and will make blood sugar administration harder when taking Ozempic.
For that motive, it’s best to keep away from the next meals:
Meals and drinks with added sugar
This goes with out saying, however consuming meals and ingesting drinks with added sugar is just not wholesome. That is very true in case you dwell with diabetes.
Meals and drinks like soda, ice cream, sweet, sweets, and different desserts could cause blood sugar spikes and can wreak havoc in your A1C. This could additionally make weight upkeep and/or loss harder. It’s best to keep away from these when taking Ozempic.
Fried, greasy, and fatty meals
Fried meals and greasy and fatty meals (most frequently from quick meals eating places) could cause bloating, nausea, constipation, and fuel, which may be exacerbated in case you take Ozempic.
Moreover, high-fat meals (particularly trans fat) usually are not good for coronary heart well being, and since coronary heart illness is the number one reason behind demise in folks with diabetes, it’s best to keep away from these kinds of meals if in case you have sort 2 diabetes and are on Ozempic.
Alcohol
Whereas reasonable alcohol consumption is just not forbidden whereas taking Ozempic, each Ozempic, and alcohol enhance the chance of low blood sugars, which may be harmful for folks residing with diabetes.
The 2020-2025 Dietary Tips for People recommends limiting alcohol consumption to 2 drinks or much less per day for males, and 1 drink or much less per day for ladies. It’s healthiest to not drink in any respect.
Speak along with your physician in case you’re scuffling with alcohol habit.
Refined carbohydrates
Meals like white bread, white rice, crackers, and even cereals might seem to be higher selections than meals with added sugar, however refined carbohydrates nonetheless metabolize as glucose within the physique. This could make it more durable to handle blood sugar ranges in folks each with and with out diabetes.
Some of these meals are usually missing fiber, which may ship blood sugar ranges hovering. It’s best to keep away from refined carbohydrates in case you’re taking Ozempic.
What meals ought to I eat whereas utilizing Ozempic?
You may be asking your self what CAN you eat in case you take Ozempic? And the reply is rather a lot! The hot button is sticking with largely entire, unprocessed meals that don’t comprise added sugars.
It’s best to goal to eat extra of the next meals in case you take Ozempic:
Low-glycemic greens
Low-carb greens comparable to broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, inexperienced beans, and lettuce must be loved in abundance! They don’t trigger blood sugar spikes and can assist enhance insulin sensitivity.
Be warned, nonetheless, that since they do comprise loads of fiber, in case you’re not used to consuming loads of greens, chances are you’ll expertise unintended effects comparable to bloating and fuel, till your physique has acclimated to consuming a extra fiber-filled weight loss program.
Low-glycemic fruits
Low-carb fruits comparable to coconut, avocado, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapefruit, cherries, or oranges spike blood sugars extra slowly than greater glycemic fruits. When you might have to take insulin for this kind of meals (in case you take insulin), this can be very wholesome in case you dwell with diabetes and are on Ozempic.
Fruits comprise many essential nutritional vitamins and minerals and are full of filling fiber. This makes a wonderful different to desserts with added sugar.
Lean protein
Lean protein sources from eggs, low-fat cheese, Greek yogurt, hen, turkey, fish, nuts, tofu, and beans are all wonderful methods to bulk up on protein whereas maintaining a healthy diet in case you take Ozempic.
Lean proteins normally require little to no insulin (in case you’re on insulin), and are an amazing constructing block of a wholesome meal. Simply ensure that any animal proteins are grilled or steamed and never fried, because the added carbohydrates and fats from fried meals usually are not wholesome.
Complete grains
Complete grains present in bread, pasta, and brown rice may be a wonderful addition to a nutritious diet. These are greater in carbs, however comprise essential fiber that lowers their glycemic influence for folks with diabetes whereas being simpler on blood sugar ranges.
Moderation is essential, however entire grains are heart-healthy and can assist with nausea in case you’re experiencing opposed unintended effects when first beginning an Ozempic routine.
No-sugar drinks
Be sure to’re ingesting loads of water (seltzer with lime counts!). Different wholesome drinks embody espresso and tea, with out added sugar or fatty creamers.
What meals can assist me handle nausea whereas taking Ozempic?
In case you’re experiencing extreme nausea and vomiting whereas taking Ozempic, discuss along with your physician about presumably reducing your dose.
Nonetheless, in case you can hold meals down, the next suggestions might assist:
- Eat extra slowly
- Eat extra frequent however smaller meals
- Eat bland meals, comparable to soups, entire grain crackers, oatmeal, toast, or rice
- Keep away from high-fat and high-sugar meals and drinks
- Drink clear liquids
How do you get the most effective outcomes whereas utilizing Ozempic?
Ozempic is a robust prescription remedy and many individuals take pleasure in nice outcomes. For the most effective outcomes, mix Ozempic with a nutritious diet and elevated bodily exercise.
Chances are you’ll begin to discover decrease blood sugars inside a number of weeks of beginning remedy. Keep constant in your wholesome consuming and train, and Ozempic must be an efficient complement to your diabetes remedy routine.
